Surprise Ingredients!

Holiday season is upon us, here’s a great healthy dip to take to your next game or party, and you won’t feel guilty devouring it.  I like to bring it to potlucks and watch people dig in thinking they are splurging and then gauge their reaction when they realize it’s actually healthy, and made out of BEANS! 

I wish I could take credit for coming up with this but it is from one of my favorite blogs Chocolate Covered Katie.  If you are a dessert lover but are trying to make sure it’s healthy, check out Katie’s blog, you will love it!

This dip is high in protein, gluten-free, and it can even be sugar-free!

Cookie Dough Dip

• 1 1/2 cups chickpeas or white beans (1 can, drained) (250g)
• 1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
• tiny bit over 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup nut butter (scroll back for a great almond butter recipe on the blog)
• up to 1/4 cup milk of choice, only if needed (I prefer almond)
• Sweetener (see note below, for amount)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 2 to 3 tbsp oats (or flaxmeal) (You can omit for a thinner dip.)

Add all ingredients (except for chocolate chips) to a good food processor (not blender), and blend until very smooth. Then mix in the chocolate chips.

Sweetener Notes: I used 2/3 cup brown sugar when I first made this for the party. Liquid sweeteners (agave, maple, etc.) are fine as well. You can easily get away with less sugar– some people will be perfectly fine with just 3 tbsp for the whole recipe!  (You can also use stevia, if you like the taste of stevia-sweetened desserts. Try 2-3 packets of stevia, and add more sweetener if needed. I wouldn’t recommend serving an all-stevia version to party guests, though.)

You can, of course, just eat this stuff by the spoonful.  For the party, I served it with graham crackers. But fresh fruit might also be nice.

Survival Tips for the Holiday Season

Scott and I after running the Turkey Trot 10k!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Just as I was feeling proud for surviving Thanksgiving without completely sabotaging my healthy lifestyle , I began to realize that the true temptations are only beginning.  While I was browsing Pinterest last night it seemed like my entire feed was full of pinned recipes for holiday cookies, candy, cakes, etc...  and trust me, at 8:30 p.m I was ready to print out those recipes and make (and eat!) all of them!   While the holiday season can be full of fun parties with coworkers, family, and friends, I can guarantee you that each of those gatherings will include tempting food and beverages.  If you want to survive and thrive during the holidays without compromising all of your hard work and without others thinking you are the Grinch, check out some of these tips that I have found helpful:

• Be strategic: Decide what indulgences are worth the calories to you and then make healthy substitutions for food that you could live without.  For example, at Thanksgiving I knew that I would want dessert- so instead of loading up my plate with mashed potatoes and gravy I had a sweet potato and I skipped the dinner roll.  
• Set Limits ahead of time:  At holiday functions it is easy to get caught up in the festivities and start mindlessly eating or drinking.  Before you even get to the party, decide how many glasses of wine or how many cookies you would like to eat- and stick to it! 
• Increase your exercise: One of the easiest ways to combat the extra holiday calories is too simply burn more of them!  And this does not have to be boring- during the holidays there are a lot of fun holiday-themed 5k’s and 10’s- like the Jingle Bell Run, Reindeer Romp, Egg Nog Jog, etc… For races in your area check out www.runningintheusa.com.  I can tell you that I felt much better eating my Thanksgiving dinner knowing that I had already run 6.2 miles in the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in the morning!
• Wear something cute and form fitting:  One of my secrets is to use a holiday gathering as an excuse to buy a new outfit or wear something that I feel extremely attractive in.  I have found this works for two reasons: first of all, it is much easier to resist the pressure of others telling you ”oh its not a big deal, you can eat this” when you are able to remind yourself that your smart and healthy food decisions are what allowed you to look hot in what you are wearing and that is what matters to you more than an extra serving of macaroni and cheese or sweet potato casserole.  Also, by wearing something form fitting or snug you will be less likely to overeat because it will be physically uncomfortable.
• Weigh yourself:   It is tempting to ignore the scale if you feel like you have overindulged and to convince yourself that you will step back on the scale once you have gotten back on track.  Don’t do this! The scale is not a judge, it is simply a tool for you to measure where you are at- and it is much easier to get back on track when you have only gained 5lbs instead of stepping on the scale in January and realizing you now have an extra 20 lb Christmas present!
• Bring healthy foods to share: When invited to a party, bring your favorite healthy food or drink to share.  Even if everyone else hates it, at least you know there will be something at the party that you can eat!

The Incredible, Edible Egg!

I love eggs and we go through about 2 ½ dozen every week (and there are only 2 of us!)  We buy them fresh from our farmer’s market and know where the chickens are from, and what they eat (and it's not GMO's!).  We used to purchase conventional eggs at the grocery store, and they can’t compare in the color or taste of cage free organic eggs.  The yolk is a deeper yellow and more solid than an over-processed egg.  There is actually flavor to eggs that haven’t been sitting in the cooler at the store for 3 months.  I don’t know how they call them fresh when it has been close to 6 months since they were on the farm.  The eggs we buy were laid earlier that week and there is a difference!

There is no difference between white or brown eggs that just depends on the type of chicken it comes from.  Eggs can be labeled all kinds of ways, but you really need the ones marked “Organic.”  It is more expensive to buy organic eggs (they are about $4.00 a dozen), but this is one of the situations when it’s really worth it.  When the hens are raised in the pasture their eggs have more Vitamin A, E, beta carotene, and more omega-3’s than commercial eggs.  And not just a little more of those nutrients, they have at least twice as much as their counterparts!   Organic eggs also have less cholesterol and less saturated fat than conventional eggs.  Not to mention they aren’t covered in pesticides or pumped full of hormones and antibiotics which many farmers give to hens to increase their production.  And when you really look at it $4.00 a dozen is much cheaper than quality beef, chicken or fish, and I can get 6 meals out of a dozen of eggs.  Or skip that overpriced latte in the morning and get a whole dozen eggs for the same price and eat those for a week!

My husband & I each have two scrambled eggs every morning and have for over year.  Eggs are full of protein and that keeps you full until lunch.  I don’t have to tell you how important breakfast is, do I?  When you have been sleeping all night your body needs nutrients to get up and going in the morning.  Don’t grab an empty calorie sugar laden donut, cook up 2 eggs!  It really doesn’t take any more time than pulling out some cereal and milk, and it will keep you fuller, longer!

When I have some extra time I will add all kinds of veggies to my eggs.  I like onions, red & green peppers and spinach or kale.  I know Carrie likes to sautee up mushrooms & tomatoes to add to hers.  I like to stir fry up some veggies at the beginning of the week and just add a scoop full when I prepare my eggs in the morning. 

It only takes 2 minutes.  I have a small skillet and put in a spoonful of coconut oil and let it melt.  I crack my eggs and top with sea salt & cracked pepper.  Flip them over and they are almost done.  You can also use butter, but please don’t use margarine or some other over processed product. 

·         Most of the nutrients in the eggs are found in the yolks, so don’t just prepare egg whites, you will be missing out!

·         Eggs don’t raise your cholesterol.  That’s a myth!  There is actually a protein in eggs that minimizes heart-attack risk by making sure your platelets don’t clump together.  Brian used to be on medication for high cholesterol.  He changed his eating habits added in 2 eggs every morning and he is now OFF his medication. 

·         Eggs provide the best source of choline, which plays a key role in your brain health and keeps your circulatory system running strong. 

·         Eggs are a great natural source of Vitamin D, which keeps your bones strong.  Get some sunshine and eat your eggs and you will double that amount!

·         The yolks prevent macular degeneration (a leading form of blindness).

Thick, Rich Organic Yolk on the Left
compared to a Weak, Pale, Conventional Yolk on the Right.

Healthy Chicken Enchiladas!

One of my favorite types of foods is Mexican and believe it or not, Mexican food can be healthy! This is one of my go to Mexican recipes and when I make it I tend to double or triple the recipe and freeze a couple of servings so that I always have some on hand.

Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas with Creamy Salsa Verde (adapted from skinnytaste.com)

Ingredients:

• olive oil
• 15.5 oz can of Cannellini Beans
• 8 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
• water
• 1.5 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp butter
• 3/4 c chopped white onion
• 2 tbsp flour
• 7 oz can chopped green chiles
• 2 jalapenos, chopped (I do not like spicy foods, so I omitted these)
• salt
• 1/2 c light sour cream
• 3/4 c reduced fat Mexican cheese
• 8 medium tortillas (I either use organic whole wheat tortillas or ezekiel tortillas)

Directions:

Enchiladas ready to be baked or frozen!

1. In a medium pan, heat 1 tsp of olive oil on low.  Add 1/4 c onions and garlic and saute until soft (about 2-3 minutes).  Add green chiles, beans, water, 1/2 cup of chicken broth and cumin.  Mix well and cover.  Simmer on low 15 minutes.  Remove cover, add the chicken and cook approximately 5 more minutes, until it thickens and the liquid boils down.
2. In a large non-stick pan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add 1/2 c onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and clear (approx. 3-4 minutes).  
3. Add flour and stir well, cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the remaining chicken broth and whisk until the sauce becomes smooth.  Cook over medium heat until the sauce boils and thickens.  Add the green chiles and salt (and jalapenos if you are braver than I am!). Cook for another minute and then remove from heat and stir in the sour cream.
4. Spread 1/4 c of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish.  Fill each tortilla with 1/3 c of the chicken/white bean filling.  Roll the tortillas and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. 
5. Pour the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and top with cheese.
6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 20-30 minutes at 350
7. NOTE IF YOU ARE FREEZING THESE: I usually freeze the enchiladas prior to baking them.  I freeze them in glass pyrex containers with a layer of foil underneath the lid.

Healthier pizza options

Recently we posted on the Smart Sassy Sisters facebook page asking if there were any topics that you all might be interested in reading about. One of our faithful readers, Lori, who Lexy and I have known since the early 1990's  and who has her own blog, posted the following question: what are some healthy ordering suggestions or great tasting alternatives when pizza is your only option? I thought this was a fantastic question, because pizza is so often the go to choice for social gatherings or on those busy nights where you just don't feel like cooking.  The good news is that living a healthy lifestyle does not doom you to a lifetime of munching on carrots while your friends or family are enjoying pizza- There are a number of ways that pizza can be made healthier!  

1.  Crust:  when ordering pizza, make sure to check out the different crust options.  A lot of pizza chains have started offering healthier crust options such as a wheat or multi-grain. Even if your favorite local pizza eatery does not offer a special healthy crust, by choosing thin crust pizza instead of thick or pan crust pizza you be will be saving a ton of calories and fat. My favorite crust is Larosa's honey wheat pizza crust. I typically order the skinny wheat pizza, with tomato, onion and spinach. One piece of that has 100 calories and 3 grams of fat.  

2. Meat: I recommend staying away from pepperoni or sausage.  Not only are those more fattening options, those are also the least likely to be "clean".  If I want to add some extra protein on my pizza, I will add grilled chicken.  

3. Veggies: most people groan when I suggest veggies on pizza, but trust me, adding veggies on pizza is not only delicious, but it adds substance and makes it much more filling. Plus, you will be adding nutrients that your body craves! Next time you order pizza, try adding some  spinach, tomatoes, peppers, or other veggies! 

4. Make your own: before starting this health and weight loss journey I would never have considered making my own pizza! However I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it can be! First of all you do not need to spend  hours making your own homemade crust: you can buy organic pre-made whole wheat pizza crust, or use Ezekiel English muffins, pita bread, etc... Simply add your tomato sauce and toppings of choice and bake!  Here is the link to one of my favorite homemade pizza recipes: Whole Grain Mini Pizzas.  The sauce is made with spinach or kale, and tastes exactly like pesto! I will make a bunch of these ahead of time and freeze them, so anytime I need a quick meal I just reheat one in the oven or microwave. Also, if you want the pizza flavor but want a more filling alternative, try this awesome quinoa pizza bake!

5. Fill up first: there may be times when you have no control over what type of pizza is ordered, but do not fear, being a healthy eater does not mean you have to be a party pooper. The main thing the both Lexy and I have found is eating regular pizza is just not as filling as eating pizza with real ingredients and so it is really tempting to eat more than 2 pieces.  Knowing this, I will try to drink a large glass of water and eat a salad or fruit and veggies before eating pizza.  Another option is to treat the pizza as a snack and only eat one piece and then eat a real meal later. 

Thanks Lori for your awesome question! Do any of you have any favorite healthy pizza suggestions or recipes? 

Don't let Comparison Steal your Joy

Below is a guest post from one of Lexy’s & Carrie’s friends, Samara. She is an avid follower of the blog and has had some exciting progress in her “get healthy” journey. We hope your enjoy her story as much as we have.  She's also a true fashionista, and is already working on a follow-up post about how to present your best self in regards to body shape & size.  It will definately be a must read!   

From Frumpy to Sexy for my 30th Birthday!

 If you would have asked me 10 years ago, I would have never thought I'd get to be over 150lbs. mean, I'm only 5'2"! I've never been a "skinny" girl, I have big thighs, and because I'm so short you can definitely see any weight in my tummy first. In college I took dance classes every day, then after college continued dancing, then took up running...and always tried to go to the gym to "stay fit". Well, all the sudden I woke up and my desk job, age, and lack of lots of activity hit me hard! I didn't notice my clothes weren't fitting well...but I just kept growing wider and wider! I am a girly girl, love fashion, music, performing, being with myfamily, friends, being the center of attention...and slowly, it's like I started to hide or something!

About a year ago, it seemed all of my friends went of some sort of a fitness/health kick (including Lexy & Carrie). I had been, "going to the gym" to get fit...but "it just wasn't working". (Secret was, your menu has 95% influence whether anything is going to "work".) But, anyways my friends would lose weight it seemed pretty fast...and I was getting nowhere it felt like! Then I'd binge and eat heavy meals and I would have to start all over again. I couldn't understand how they'd be making changes in their lives and they'd see a difference so quickly! Getting a desk job was giving me "secretary's spread" across my booty and my pants were not fitting & my tops were becoming too tight too! Then, all my friends were giving me their clothes that were too big for them! (Even some people who I had thought were bigger than me previously!) Normally I love getting new clothes, but this was starting to hurt. Don't get me wrong, I needed them (& thankfully some things were too big) but I felt like I was being left behind...yes, I threw another pity party...but things started changing in my head. I was honestly and truly happy for my friends, I always had been...but now I was going to make changes in my life for me, not because everyone else was or because that's what I knew I was "supposed to do". Besides my clothes not fitting, I wasn't being me, really. I was too self-conscience to be myself & wow I felt old & tired!

I still used my friends as sources of encouragement, because man they are hardcore, have great ideas and let's face it, I'm competitive. However, I wasn't going to be upset when I wasn't seeing the same types of results.

 I had a plan of action. I worked with my personal trainer on a menu, but honestly, it wasn’t anything I hadn’t read before online or from other trainers. So my meal plan had set items that I could have for breakfast, lunch, a snack and dinner, but this made it easy for me! My husband, (who is 6'2") said I used to eat more than him! (and I’m a foot shorter!) Now, I know when I'm hungry, when I'm not, and when to stop if I'm cheating a lil just to get that craving! I tend to eat a lot of the same items from my meal plan options (b/c it makes it easy for me)! Some of those options are

· Breakfast:egg whites with red & green bell peppers & tomatoes/plain oatmeal (then I add truvia & cinnamon)/ sometimes I do a protein & meal replacement shake – which is great b/c it satisfies my constant desire for ice-cream!

· Lunch: baked/grilled chicken/fish/turkey, rice/sweet potato & veggies (I use sodium free Mrs. Dash for flavor, and maybe a teaspoon of olive oil to cook with!)

· Dinner:normally a protein (like chicken) and veggies.

· Snack:2 rice cakes or 2 small (thumb sizes) pieces of dark chocolate!

· If you want fruit…earlier is better & berries have the lowest sugar count…but honestly I would eat SO much that my sugar count was way too high (natural or not!)

But from eating from a set menu – with specific items (sized and set in a certain calorie/sugar/sodium/protein regiment). I know what my body is saying to me. I know when I’m actually hungry, and when I’m just thinking about food b/c I’m bored. I also have self control! I used to have a “cheat” meal or a special treat…and once I started eating whatever it was, I wouldn’t stop till I was basically sick to my stomach! Now, I can have a little bit of whatever it is I was craving…and be satisfied & not gorge myself!

 

Cardio-I started by doing 1,800 calories burned each week (about 1 hour/3 times a week) and worked my way up. Now, I do about 1 hour /5 days a week, which is between 3,000-3,500 calories burned. It's not always easy, I had to find things that worked for me to keep me going for an hour! The more cardio I do, the more weight I lose. Eventually, when I hit my goal, I can cut back to 3 times a week just to maintain, instead of losing.

My indulgence-I have a personal trainer. He is amazing....and I work out with him twice a week for 30 minutes each time. (I gave up the random spending for this one!) I don't like lifting on my own, and won't force myself to do it. I have been trained before and know how, I’d just rather not if I’m not pushed. I also wanted someone who was unbiased to encourage me and keep me on track. If you do want to go this route, I think it's important that you have a good respect for that person and you like them! I like mine because he told me up front, “Look I will work hard for you, and I want it for you, but you have to want it and work hard too. And if you don't, I will fire you as a client. I don't want you to waste your money, and I don't want to waste my efforts either.” At first, I was kinda scared...but ya know what, I pushed myself to show him he didn't have to worry about that, I was going to work hard and I truly did want this for myself! I will say that a personal trainer is not the only way...there are lots of other ways too...group fitness classes, running clubs, free fitness events in your city, workout videos (I have my favorites!)& lots of stuff online & on YouTube!

I didn't weigh myself for the first month. That doesn't work for some people...but I honestly didn't lose a bunch of pounds at first. But, after a few weeks I could see a difference in the way my clothes were fitting and I had more energy! Then I weighed myself and lost 16lbs. and now I've past the 25lbs point! I'm not were I want to be yet. But, I do have a realistic healthy goal of what I know my body can be at!

So, don't give up! It'll take time before you're able to see the results, but they will come with a vengeance! (They say that sweat is fat crying...and man let it cry goodbye! Oh, and I don't really enjoy sweat..but when I think of it that way...) Remember, the weight crept up on you over a long period of time, it just happened that one morning I woke up and went to put on my jeans, held them up and said...my butt is not this big...and low & behold...is not this big...and low& behold... my booty was that big…and those jeans were not too big at all! That was another one of those moments where I was like, wow I’ve gained a lot of weight! So, the change will happen...don't give up, don't compare yourselves to other people as hard as it is...some people lose it fast in the beginning and then plateau and others are slower starting and then all the sudden you've dropped a ton of weight! You're not alone on this journey and we are all in different places!

·          Take Control!

·          Make your goals (weekly, monthly and long term-allow them to change as you and your body evolve!) Mine went from, just getting my cardio in for the week, seeing a little difference in my clothes, wanting my work clothes to fit properly again, wanting to wear something scandalous ;) for my 30th in Vegas to wanting to be swimsuit ready!

·          Keep a positive and encouraging outlook..whatever you have to do!

·          Push yourself a little more than what you thought you'd be able to do today!

·          Don't give up!

Samara & Lexy Pre-Healthy lifestyles!



Samara & Lexy-Healthier & Happier

Sweet Potato Pie and Shut my Mouth

As I was writing my sweet potato hummus post two weeks ago, I got in the sweet potato mood.  It’s time for football, turtlenecks and cozy nights by the fireplace.  We eat sweet potatoes year round but they are more available as the weather cools down.  Sweet Potatoes are full of vitamin A, which helps your immune system and in cold season who doesn’t need help to boost your immunity?  They also have more vitamin C and 3 times more fiber than traditional white potatoes and can be substituted in nearly every potato recipe.  You may be used to seeing them on your Thanksgiving table covered in marshmallows, but there are much healthier, and tastier ways to eat them.  Some of my favorites are below.

Crispy Sweet Potato Rounds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Slice sweet potatoes  1/2” thick
Lightly coat with olive oil and sea salt
Bake for 20 minutes-turning once
Turn heat to 400 degrees
Bake for 20 minutes more-turning once

As you puncture through the slightly crunchy browned skin, the center oozes with creaminess.  No extra salt was needed, or cinnamon or maple syrup.  They were sweet, caramelized and delicious. 

Sweet Potato Hash & Eggs

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled or unpeeled, diced small
1 medium red onion, diced small
a pinch of red pepper flakes, or your favorite chili powder
a pinch of smoked paprika
a pinch of garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste

In a hot skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil and diced sweet potatoes. Let cook for about 5 minutes until slightly browned. Add onions and cook for an additional 4 minutes till soft. Add pinches of pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 or so minutes until potatoes are soft. Prepare eggs to your liking and have a hearty breakfast or brinner (breakfast for dinner)!

Baked Sweet Potato with Coconut Banana Butter from Chocolate Covered Katie. Katie's is one of my favorite go-to's for desserts, but she has more than that. I won't even attempt to recreate this, since she has perfected it.  Just click on the recipe name above and it will take you to her site.  I promise Carrie & I will do reviews of some of our favorites from her. 

I also love to use my trusty mandoline and slice up a sweet potato in chip form, cover them in olive oil and sprinkly with sea salt.  You can either bake them for about an hour at 200 degrees or for about 20 minutes at 350, just remember to keep turning them.  It's a great way to prepare them and avoid giving in to a bag of Lay's chips. 


What are your favorite ways to prepare sweet potatoes? 

How to Manage Maintenance Mode!

If I am completely honest, I was terrified of the maintenance stage of weight loss.  We all know people who have lost weight- but how many of us know people who have lost weight and then successfully kept the weight off?  The thought that I could have spent 16 months losing 120 lbs only to gain it all back was extremely scary! Even though I was pretty confident that I had successfully changed my lifestyle and eating habits,  I had become very accustomed to the strictness of my diet regime and the thought of making the changes necessary to switc from weight-loss to maintenance mode was a little nerve-wracking. (who would have ever thought that increasing my calorie intake would be scary?!?)  Here are three of the challenges that I faced during that transition mode:

No longer using the scale as a guideline:  While I was in weight loss mode, the goal of my weekly weigh in was to see the number on the scale go down.   This may sound crazy, but even when the number is going down only tenths of a lb, the number is still going down and so it gives you something tangible to work towards.   However, in maintenance phase, I am really only using the scale to make sure that the number does not start creeping higher- which is a completely different thing.  Even though I knew I was no longer supposed to be losing weight, for the first few weeks (and sometimes even still!) it is hard to look at the same number on the scale and not feel like you are doing something wrong.  To combat this feeling, I give myself a 10 lb range.  As long as the number is between 145 and 155 every Tuesday morning, then I allow myself to relax and keep doing what I am doing without stressing out about it knowing that I have already promised myself that if the number ever creeps back above 155, I will start kicking it back into high gear immediately.

Balance:  There is a really fine line between being a “food Nazi” as Lexy once affectionately called me and starting down the slippery slope of resorting to all of your old habits which led you to being overweight in the first place.  I am certainly not perfect at this, but there are a couple of things that I try to remember  now that I am in maintenance mode:

1. It is important to enjoy life and the people in your life- and if that means that you have to eat at a restaurant where you food choices are limited or that you decide to have an extra piece of dark chocolate one night, it is not the end of the world
2. If I am going to splurge or indulge, I want it to be a conscious choice- not an emotional choice or a choice based on peer pressure- and I want to use those calories on indulgences that I actually want or enjoy- so it is okay to say no to an extra piece of pizza because I would rather have a cheese coney
3. Remembering to stick with all of the habits that made me successful in the first place- tracking calories, exercising, not bringing junk food into my house, etc.. . If I miss a day of tracking, I do not beat myself up about it, but I do know that I feel much more in control when I am on top of that. 

Realizing that your body may not be perfect:  This is a hard one! While I love having a size 4-6 body, there are definitely still areas of my body that I wish were different.  Some of these I can change (which is why I’m working out with my awesome trainer Lisa twice a week!) but when I look in the mirror I still have to face the fact that I still have extra skin and “jiggly areas” and that no matter how many miles I run I am still going to have wide thighs and hips.  It is hard to remember that the important thing is that my body is at a weight where it is healthy and strong and that even if I starved and pushed myself to unhealthy limits my body would not look like a swimsuit model!

So far, I have successfully stayed under the 150lb range for over 5 months!!!  While it has definitely been a transition, it has not been nearly as difficult as I thought it would be.  While I am sure that there will be more struggles and challenges ahead, I am confident that I am never going back to shopping at Lane Bryant again and I cannot wait to write a post when I have successfully maintained my weight loss for an entire year!