mmm...donuts

All I can think about this morning is donuts. doughnuts. doh-nutz. I cannot get them out of my head! Cinnamon sugar coated. Perfectly glazed. Bavarian cream filled. Chocolate dipped. Twisted. Powdered sugar sprinkled. DONUTS!Why do donuts sound so delicious? Could it be because Krispy Kreme has finally opened its doors again to the maddening crowd of Arizona? (You bet.) Maybe it's because Marta posted this delightful picture of donuts from Daylight Donuts and I want to pluck one of those babies right out of that virtual box? (Right, again!) But I'm putting my money on the fact that it's because I'm suffering through major sugar withdrawals from my "no-sugar ventures". Don't get me wrong, I did have a Oreo milkshake on Saturday night and enjoyed it throughly. I also had a smallish slice of Grasshopper ice cream cake last night after Sunday dinner. It was also very delicious. However, during the week, I've been pretty good. No "weekday dessert" for me and I've been diligent about working out and cutting out fat. The results are finally starting to show. Yee ha! I can't wait to show up at the beach with my rockin' new Shade suit, killer sunglasses (can't afford 'em, but love 'em), a very cute beach bag and a tan/toned bod. I will conquer!

But seriously, don't donut(s) sound soooooooooooo good?

making menus

One thing I'm really good about doing is making dinner every night. I'm not one to order pizza or throw some boxed macaroni & cheese together. I enjoy cooking but I realize that many of my friends and family don't and/or feel like their skills are lacking. In an effort to be accountable to my "lizzy gets fit" goals, I've decided to share some tips of mine for cooking dinner.

Every week, I make a menu. I made up a pretty little menu and decorated a small bulletin board to post in my kitchen so that I'll be motivated to look at it (scribbed on a sticky-note and thrown on the fridge doesn't seem to work for me). I look online for recipes (often from Martha Stewart) and make the list on Monday mornings. Then after work, I go to the store to get the items I need for the week. Here's this week's menu: Monday
Stir-Fry with Broccoli, Snap Peas, Carrots, Mushrooms, Red Bell Pepper and Chicken over Brown Basmati Rice - Takes 30 minutes (I don't have a recipe for this. I just throw in whatever veggies I have with some sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, crushed red pepper, kosher salt and maybe some broth if needed).

Tuesday
Steaks with Balsmic-Dijon Sauce, Steamed Green Beans and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes - Takes 30 minutes)

Wednesday
Portobello and Zucchini Tacos with Pico de Gallo (this is a favorite recipe of ours) - Takes 20 minutes

Thursday
(I'll be home late tonight so it had to be easy) Zucchini and Tomato Frittata (except, I'm subsituting the Zucchini for Yellow Squash and adding some fresh basil leaves, Gruyere cheese and maybe some chives on top for good measure) - Takes 30 minutes

Friday
Salmon over Spinach Beet Salad with Turkey Bacon and Shallot Dressing (I may omit the turkey bacon) - Takes 20 minutes

Saturday
Date Night (with a gift card!)

Sunday
Dinner at Mom's - Make rolls!

Another tip - if possible, walk to the grocery store or market to get your weekly items. The walk there and carrying those groceries home will give you your exercise for the day.

lizzy gets fit

In the spirit of "Fitness Journals" all over the blogging universe (i.e. Ali over at Your Heart Out and Angie over at Angie In Shape) I've decided to fess up and start my own little journal toward fitness. I can't afford a personal trainer to report to . . . so thanks to blogging I will hold myself accountable to you and to my new friends in Angie's program (join here - for free, silly!)

Originally, I figured that I would have the cajones to post my current weight so that I would be embarrassed enough to actually stick to this and lose some poundage. However, it turns out I'm a wimp and can't put my fatness out there on display. I'm just not that confident. Strick that: I'm 5'7" and weigh 155 pounds. I hope that makes you all feel better.

So, let's just say that I would like to get to how I looked when David and I were dating (me - 15 pounds ago). Ideally, I would like to lose 25 pounds but I keep telling myself that it's not about the weight. According to my insurance health analysis, I'm still in the "healthy weight range" - seriously by 1 pound. For my height, I should be anywhere between 130 - 155 pounds. Yeah, pushing the envelope has always been one of my strong points . . . if only I could push myself onto the other end of those numbers . . .

If I lose 1 pound a week (starting this week - weighing in on Sunday), I can get to my goal weight by July 26th. Just in time for the family reunion in San Diego! Here are my goals:

1. Lose at least 15 pounds.
2. Fit into my size 29 Chip & Pepper jeans.
3. No swim shorts in the water.

Wish me luck!

P.S. If you want some great motivation to lose weight, send your picture to Weight View and see how you'll look 20 pounds lighter! It's pretty awesome and totally free. (First seen on Design Mom)