Seven Day Spring Slimdown

I'm starting a free Seven Day Spring Slimdown Group on Monday, April 6th. I know I haven't done as well as I should over the winter but I am ready to get my butt back into gear! If you're new to exercise and/or just need to get back in to practice, this group will be perfect for you. If you're interested send me a message at facebook.com/janashealthychapter, comment here, or email me at janashealthychapter@gmail.com. Just to sweeten the group, I'll be adding a door prize at the end of the week for just a little extra incentive!!

The only thing I ask of you is to sign up for a free Beachbody membership HERE!!!  You will get me as your personal Coach, access to BB message boards and forums, and the WOWY SuperGym!  You can't beat it!  You will not be asked for credit card info unless you decide you want to purchase a fitness program or Shakeology.

Weight Loss Tips and Clean Eating Group

Hi guys!  I am hosting a FREE 7 day Weight Loss Tips and Clean Eating Group via Facebook starting Monday March 16th.  If you want, you can just watch and learn - and get involved physically in my next group.

This group is open to ANYONE so invite your family and friends along for support. However, space is limited.  It will be a fun way to meet new people on the same health journey as you. This will be a NO JUDGEMENT- HATE FREE ZONE! We are all here to support and encourage each other as we make healthy lifestyle changes. I encourage you to ask questions, help others, and have fun!

It’s really simple to join. All you need to do is go to my LIKE page on FB by clicking here and then click JOIN on the event. You will see it posted on my page when you scroll down. I can't wait to meet you if I haven't already and to get going on this fun adventure.

ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED?

create a FREE teambeachbody account and add me as your free coach:

1. go to www.teambeachbody.com/janaogrady

2. Click the blue “join team beachbody” button

3. Click on "Sign me up for FREE membership”

4. Create your account

5. Let me know via fb so I can make sure you were added

Then Sit tight.  I’m finalizing the details on the challenge, I'll add you to it before we begin.

Taylor Swift Blank Space

So, I have to admit that I like Taylor Swift's "Blank Space."  I'm not a huge fan of hers per se, but I do like some of her songs...some.  However, I just found this song from I Prevail covering "Blank Space."  I'm not sure how I feel about a "hardcore" or "hard rock" group covering a pop song.  But, let's just say I have both versions in my workout playlist.  What do y'all think?

Eat Your Veggies...and Chicken

Tonight’s supper is brought to you by the letter’s C & E

Clean Eating

This is my Chicken &Veggie Bake that I LOVE to make.  This meal will last me for at least 3 days.  There’s my meal prep right there. I also added some organic whole grain rice.  It is SOOO good!

Here’s the recipe:

I usually use 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cubed 

1 lb red potatoes, cubed

Almost 1 full cup of chicken broth or veggie broth

1 cup of green beans

1 cup of carrots

1 red pepper

1 onion sliced

4 garlic cloves thinly sliced

1.5 tsp olive oil

1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary

Your favorite chicken seasonings to taste ( I use Lawry’s seasoned salt and some pepper)

Dump all this goodness in a baking dish.  Cook for 45 minutes or until chicken and potatoes are done at 400 degrees.

I'm Just Gonna Leave This Right Here...

Whoa!

Workout Routine

Day 21 of 30

My workout Routine

My workout routine between January 19th and May 19th is my Piyo and Shakeology Beachbody Challenge.

I recently signed up to become a beachbody coach and I picked this as my Challenge pack. Chalene Johnson (Piyo) is a wonderful motivator and very inspiring.

I usually exercise in the afternoon.  Due to arthritis in my feet and peroneal tendonitis, I have a hard time walking, let alone exercising in the AM.  After walking around a few hours, my tootsie feel much better.

I work part time as a pet sitter/dog walker while in the process of working on a new career and I am usually busiest during lunchtime.  After my pet visits during the day, I come home, have a banana and do my Piyo.  If I haven't gotten my steps in for the day, I usually visit our apartment gym later in the evening around 7PM.  I have to get my steps in!  If I don't, I feel awful the next day.

After my Piyo Challenge, I'm going to try Les Mills PUMP.  If anyone is interested in trying a challenge pack with me, please let me know.  I am loving the beachbody program.  The workouts are hard, but I love that they ALWAYS have someone doing modifications in the videos.  There is also a huge amount of support.

Best Thing to Happen this Year

Day 20 of 30

The best thing that happened this year was...

I flew on a plane without a seatbelt extender.  I know it sounds trivial to some but I couldn't believe how excited I was!  I almost got the flight attendant to take a picture but I decided against it.  I didn't always need an extender but within the past 5 years, anytime I flew, I needed one.  I promised myself I wasn't going to fly again until I knew I was smaller to be comfortable in the airplane seat.  The last time I flew and didn't need one was on my honeymoon 5 years ago.  I knew that I was 20 pounds lighter than that but I was still a little nervous.  What a great feeling!  It was always so embarrassing to ask the flight attendant for the extender.  Never again!!!

Top Ten Favorite Foods

Day 19 of 31

My Top Ten Favorite Foods

1.  Pizza
2.  Turkey burger ( i don't eat red meat )
3.  Hot, buttery popcorn
4.  Peeps
5.  bananas with peanut butter
6.  banana nut muffins from my local bakery
7.  cucumbers
8.  anything chocolate and mint combined
9.  salted caramel
10.  My Shakeology (specifically the chocolate flavored)

pic courtesty of www.mysanfranciscokitchen.com

Where Have I Traveled

Day 18 of 31...

Where I've traveled

I haven't been to many places, although there are a ton of places I want to travel to.  I've never been out of the country and I really want to travel through Europe.

I have been all up and down the East Coast...Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virgina, West Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut.

I have visited California...I went to Los Angeles, visited Disneyland, Universal, took a tour of Dreamworks studio, which was UHmazing (I have a friend who is a graphic artist there)!  But, that's about it.  I'm dying to go somewhere new and exciting!

Here I am in Hollywood...

And here I am at Dreamworks studio with Po from Kung Fu Panda.  Pictured with me is my friend Billy, who actually worked on the movie.  *Note...I was at my heaviest here. :(  Can't wait to go back smaller.  I'm really hoping for a visit this year!

My Two Favorite Recipes

My absolute favorite recipe, because I like it and my husband actually likes it.  He is such a PICKY eater!  Grrr!

Weight Watchers Pizza Casserole

I found this recipe at:  Recipe-Diaries

Ingredients from food.com

Servings: 10

Calories 254.3 | Fat: 8.4 g | Carbs: 24.5g | Fiber 1.9 g | Protein 19.7g

Points Plus: 6

1 lb ground lean turkey sausage
1 medium onion , chopped
1 clove garlic , minced
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 ounces rotini pasta , cooked and drained
2 cups shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese (20 oz)
32 slices of turkey pepperoni

Directions:

1.  Brown ground beef, onion, garlic and seasoning in oil.
2 .Drain.
3.  Stir in pasta, spaghetti sauce and 2 cups cheese.
4. Place mixture in 2 greased 9x13x2 inch baking pans or 4 square pans.
5.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
6.  Top with pepperoni.
7.  Cover and freeze up to 3 months.
8.  To cook now: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until heated through.
9. To bake frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes, till hot.

My second recipe (just for me, because the husband doesn't like seafood) is:

Tin Foil Salmon with Asparagus

Servings:  4

Points Plus:  Appx: 5ish

Calories 207.2g | Fat: 6.4 g | Carbs: 6g | Fiber 2,6 g | Protein 31.6g  (all approximate)

4 sheets aluminum foil, wrap (12-inch by 18-inch)
4 (5 ounce) salmon fillets
1 lb asparagus
1 fresh lemon or lemon juice
fresh ground black pepper
seasoning salt
lemon wedge (to garnish)
Note:  I usually brush a little olive oil on top of fillets
Note:  Sometimes I just bake the salmon and cook green beans separately instead of asparagus)

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2.  Snap the ends off asparagus spears (they will break where tender) and divide into 4 equal portions.
3.  Spray the center of each foil sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
4.  Place one salmon fillet in the center of each sheet, top with a serving of the asparagus and drizzle with lemon juice.
5.  Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and salt or seasoning blend as desired.
6.  Bring up the sides of foil and fold top over twice.
7.  Seal ends, leaving room for air to circulate inside the packet.
8.  Place packets on a cookie sheet and cook in oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until salmon is opaque.
9.  Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
10.  Please use caution when opening the foil packs, as the steam is very hot.

This Girl Can

A friend of mine from my WWsendthelove group posted this video today.  I am absolutely in love with it.  For a long time, I was always worried about my "jiggle" when I exercised.  I could care less now.  We're all in this together and we can do this!

What Inspires Me

Day 12

What Inspires Me

I think the number one thing that inspires are people who have been on the same journey as me and have lost tons of weight and have changed their lives forever.  I love looking at their before and after pictures and learning more about them and how they have lost all their weight naturally.  My family also inspires me.  Especially my mom and my brother.  My mom is such a great person - she is the caretaker of two people (my grandmother and my brother).  She's such a strong woman who has been a single mom for 32 years.  She never remarried and all she has ever done is take care of us.  She's strong, dependable, nurturing, smart, and sooo many more things.  She's taught me so much.  So, I'm doing this for her!

My Bucket List

Day 11

My Bucket List

1.  I'd love to find a job that I love.  I loved being a librarian but it's SO difficult to find a job that I'm trying to start a new career and help my husband more financially.

2.  Visit all 50 states

3.  Take a train trip around Europe

4.  Visit Bucharest and Dracula's castle

5.  Visit Africa and do charity work

6.  Hot air balloon ride

7.  Learn Spanish

8.  Buy a home

9.  Reach my healthy weight range

I'm very simple.  I don't want much - Just a few "simple" things.

If I Won the Lottery

Day 10

If I won the lottery, I would...

1.  Pay off my stupid student loan, first and foremost!
2.  Move back South!  I love the area we live in, but my family is back in SC and I want to be closer to them.  I secretly keep hoping my husband gets transferred back south. ;)
3.  Buy a house
4.  Pay off any debt my mom has
5.  Buy my mom a house
6,  Adopt another animal
7.  Buy a new car
8.  I'd donate alot to animal adoption charities
9.  Save and invest!
10.  Splurge a little

What's in My Fridge

Day 8

What's in My Fridge?  Definitely nothing special

ALOT of condiments!
Minute Maid Juice for my husband
Water bottles galore
Diet Dr. Pepper
Brummel and Brown Yogurt spread
Leftover Chicken Noodle soup
Leftover Buffalo Wings for my husband
WW Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Grape Tomatoes
Dill
Pizza Sauce
Lemon Juice
Yogurts in the bottom drawer

What do you see/want to see when you look in the mirror

Day Seven:

When I look in the mirror, I see a work in progress.  I used to see an unhappy, depressed, tired woman.  After realizing that I was the only one who could change this outlook, I try to look in the mirror and appreciate who I've become on my healthy living journey.  Of course I still see the imperfections, the double chin, the chubby face, and the pale skin.  However, I've learned to accept these traits and know that they make me who I am.  I also see pretty green eyes, a cute smile, and rosy cheeks.  In a year from now, I'd love to look and be 100 percent happy about my reflection.  But as a work in progress, there's always something that can be improved.

What's In My Bag

Day 6

What's in my bag!

I usually have a bag full of junk.  I got a cute new bag for Christmas and it's actually clean right now.  So, here's what's in there.

A pen
My wallet
Some tissues (I've had the crud)
My weight watchers calculator (I recently canceled my account and have become a beachbody coach.  But, I'm still counting points)
Pepto Bismol and Dramamine (I have HORRIBLE motion sickness and keep those two meds on me at all times!)

What's in your bag?

My Top Ten Workout Songs

Day Five:
My Top Ten Favorite Workout Songs for now

If you'd like you can follow my faves at the link below on Spotify:

Alt Walking Music 

1.  I'm Only Joking by Kongos

2.  Hysteria by Muse

3.  Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde

4.  Disparate Youth by Santigold

5.  Default by Django Django

6.  Sleepyhead by Passion Pit

7.  Ways to Go by Grouplove

8.  Get Some by Lykke Li

9.  The City by The 1975

10.  Black Out Days by Phantogram

Why I Started My Weight Loss Journey

Day Four

The main reason I started this journey is to become the healthiest version of myself that I could be.  My family has a host of health issues along with obesity affecting their lives.  There is heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and numerous other health concerns just on one side of my family.  After being diagnosed with PCOS and arthritis in my foot, I decided I didn't want to have to deal with that and the other genetic health issues that so many of my beloved family has to deal with.  After a few set backs, I realized that I needed to fully commit to a brand new healthy lifestyle and not just a diet.  That was a year ago and I haven't looked back yet.  I've lost 75 pounds total and have become the healthiest I have been in a long time.  I'm looking forward to see what I can accomplish in the future.

Favorite Motivational Quote

Day 3

So there it is.  This is one of my favorite quotes.  When I was at my heaviest and had the epiphany that I needed to do something about my health, I saw this quote.  I really was making myself miserable, sad, depressed.  Now, I'm trying to put as much effort or even more into becoming a better me.  I will never go back to that old Jana.