Super Star of the Week: Tommy Gumbs

Meet Tommy, a 33 from California who didn't like the way he felt about himself. So he made the decision to change his life from overweight, unhappy and unhealthy to a lean toned racing bicyclist! Check out his awesome story below!

When did you start your journey? 

I started my journey in 2011.
At that time I was 285 lbs. I was very unhealthy and just plain miserable. I knew something had to be done,
but I just didn’t know how to do it.
What I learned was everyone has an answer. And the answers you get will always be different. But I kept my eye on the goal, which was to feel good about myself again. 

                                                                   What is your favorite exercise routine?

Cycling and running.  Its actually hard to say. Coming from a time in my life where I was physically impaired, I tend to love anything that makes me feel alive. But, if I had to choose, it would be cycling.

What's on your playlist that gets you pumped?

After a couple years of making playlist, I now prefer to listen to Podcasts. Specifically Podcasts from "Above and Beyond.” I love just hitting play and letting the blood get to pumping. Plus, podcasts are free :)

How much weight have you lost total?

I have lost about a 100lbs. My waist at the beginning of my journey was a 42. I now wear

a 30. The actual amount of weight changes as when I am in race season, I tend to lean out. The lighter the better.  

What tips do you have for someone still working towards their goal?

Never give up. Life is race. How you want to finish this lovely race is up to you. 

As for eating, or drinking, I tell people that you need to learn your body and what works. Everyone is different. You only fail when you stop searching for what actually works for you. 

How did you lose the weight/ what plan did you follow?

I lost the weight by eliminating Soda first. Lost 15lbs the first month. Then I eliminated fast food. Lost 15 lbs the second month. The third month I started portion control and running/elliptical. By the fourth month I started incorporating a lot of protein, and

started cycling. From there on it was amazing watching my body change. I wish I had entered a contest or something.I never followed a plan. I just did what felt right. The key to my success is I never stopped. I never backed down. I aspired and dreamed of more. The faster my runs got, the longer my rides went, the more I pushed myself, the more I realized that I could do this. I could accomplish what I started, and go beyond that. I realized that my potential was infinite and I was the true master of my destiny. 

What's your favorite "cheat" meal?

I don’t have a favorite cheat meal. I am so active now that I constantly eat. Between racing and training, I need to consume a lot of calories and protein. I don’t eat like people think I do at all. I try to intake at least 3k a day. 

What is your favorite snacks?

I love peanut butter. I eat a large jar of Peanut Butter, and a large jar of Honey a week. I have 2 to 3 Peanut Butter smoothies a day. :)  

What's your favorite motivational quote or saying?

You can do it…from one of those Adam Sandler Movies. 

Who is your biggest inspiration?

 I don’t have one person that inspires me. I have hundreds. From the strangers that I see out on the road riding and running. To the people I see in the gym. I am inspired by those that are willing to change their life, or those that have done it. Like you Staci! Those are the people that inspire me because if they can do, so can I!  And, if I can do it, so can they. 

How much more weight do you want to lose?

Because I am on the other end of the spectrum, my weight depends on what I am doing. I stay around 175, but If I am not racing, I will beef myself up to 185, then drop it off for when I do race. 

Have you always had a weight issue?

I was always a larger guy. I was never happy with my body. I was always above 220 though. 

What made you decide to start losing weight?

I had a Kidney stone and I never wanted to go through that pain again. Hence, I cut out Soda, then fast food, etc. In the end I guess my pain from a kidney stone lead me to my greatest pleasure…..enjoying life and pushing my body as far as I can.  I have never had another Kidney stone BTW.

A huge congrats on your success Tommy! To see how happy and active you are is an inspiration in itself! You truly are an inspiration, keep on shining! You rock!!!

 Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Skinny Pumpkin Pie

I used a recipe I got from Skinnytaste.com and tweaked it a little bit, the end result is amazing! I am not usually a big pumpkin pie person, usually it's the texture that bothers me the most. I've never made a pumpkin pie so I wanted to try my hand at it and OMG this pie is delicious and full of flavor!!! You can find the original recipe at skinnytaste.com below is my version, which only has some added spice.

Skinny Pumpkin Pie
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8th • Old Points: 3 pt • Points+: 5 pts
 

Ingredients: 

• 15 oz canned pumpkin (or homemade pumpkin puree) I used homemade
• 2 tbsp light butter, softened
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, unpacked
• 1/2 cup fat free milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 frozen pie crust

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

 Place pumpkin in a large bowl. Add light butter, and mix well. Using an electric mixer, mix in brown sugar, milk, eggs, egg whites, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into unbaked pie crust.
Bake 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with whipped topping and enjoy!

Skinny Pumpkin Pie

Source: Skinnytaste.com
Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Chicken Parmigiana

This is a super yummy and simply recipe, defiantly one that makes you think you are "cheating" on your diet!!! =)

Chicken Parmigiana

Source: Weight Watchers

Classic Points Value 5

PointsPlus Value 7

Serves: 4

3 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray   1 pound(s) uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast(s), four 4-oz pieces     
2 item(s) egg white(s), lightly beaten    1/2 cup(s) dried plain breadcrumbs    1 Tbsp Italian seasoning    1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste    1 tsp olive oil      1 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato sauce    1/2 cup(s) (shredded) part-skim mozzarella cheese    2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese   

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray.
  
• Place chicken between two sheets of wax paper; using a rolling pin, pound chicken to 1/4-inch thickness. (To watch a video of this technique, click here.)
  
• Place egg whites in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs with Italian seasoning and salt. Dip chicken in egg whites; turn to coat. Dip chicken in bread crumb mixture; turn to thoroughly coat.
  
• Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and add oil; heat over medium-high heat. When hot, add chicken and cook until lightly browned and no longer pink in center, about 4 minutes per side (cook chicken in batches if necessary).
  
• Pour 1/2 cup of sauce into prepared baking dish; place chicken in pan in a single layer. Pour remaining sauce evenly over chicken; sprinkle with both cheeses. Bake until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly, about 25 minutes. Yields 1 piece of chicken per serving.

Weight Watchers Chicken Parmigiana with mashed potatoes and parmesan preen beans

www.weightwatchers.com
Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Chicken Fried Rice

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Chicken Fried Rice

This meal is listed as a side but I use it as the main course and serve with veggies for a nice low point dinner! My kids love it! Super easy to make and oh so yummy!!! Enjoy! Sometimes I will switch the chicken for pork, and I love to add mushrooms to it!

Serves 6 (1 cup serving)
3 classic weight watchers points/ 4 points plus

Ingredients: 

	2 spray(s) cooking spray
	4 large egg white(s)
	1/2 cup(s) uncooked scallion(s), chopped, green and white parts
	2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
	12 oz uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast(s), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
	1/2 cup(s) uncooked carrot(s), diced
	2 cup(s) cooked brown rice, regular or instant, kept hot
	1/2 cup(s) frozen green peas, thawed
	3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce

Instructions

• Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set pan over medium-high heat. Add egg whites and cook, until scrambled, stirring frequently, about 3 to 5 minutes; remove from pan and set aside.
  
• Offheat, recoat skillet with cooking spray and place back over medium-high heat. Add scallions and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add chicken and carrots; sauté until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  
• Stir in reserved cooked egg whites, cooked brown rice, peas and soy sauce; cook until heated through, stirring once or twice, about 1 minute. Yields about 1 cup per serving. 

 

 

 

Weight Watchers Chicken Fried Rice with a side of stir fried veggies

 Source: www.weightwatchers.com
Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Staci's Pumpkin Soup

Staci's Pumpkin Soup



Walmart had their pumpkins on sale for .1 each! So I bought 10, I've been playing with different pumpkin ideas and I thought I love soups so why not make a soup. I winged this so I'm not 100% sure on the measurements so you'll have to eye it and use the spices and amount of pumpkin to your liking.


Ingredients:
2 small pumpkins (mine had pumpkin pie stickers on them, they probably weighed about 2-3lbs each. Not super small but not big either)
Fat Free half and half
Ground Nutmeg
Ground Ginger
Ground Cinnamon
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Salt
Vegetable broth


I started by cooking the two small pumpkins. To cook I cut them in half seeded them and then cut into 4's. Baked at 350 for 45 minutes. Once they cooled I peeled the skin off. Pureed the "meat" in a food processor. I got a sauce pan out set it over medium heat used about 3 cups of vegetable broth,  about 1/4 cup of FF half and half, added the pumpkin puree (I kept adding to get the consistency I wanted and ended up using almost all the pumpkin...there is probably a cup of pumpkin left) sprinkled pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, ginger, salt and cinnamon to taste. Mixed until well blended and cooked until fully heated. Fresh cooked pumpkin (canned pumpkin has points) is no points so this soup comes out to 0pts for 1 cup and 1pt for 2 cups!!!!

Pumpkin Soup

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Taco Soup

Weight Watchers Taco Soup

For those of you trying to shed a few pounds or if you are looking for a fun and tasty soup...this soup ROCKS!!! Easily one of my favorite soups of all time!!! Love this stuff!!!!

Serving size 1 cup 2 classic points/ 3 plus points.



1lb lean ground beef/or turkey
1 chopped onion
2 cans of Rotel (use which ever heat desired...I use mild)
2 cans of black beans (drain only)
1 can of whole kernel corn (drain)
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dip mix
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 cup of water

Cook the meat and onions
Then add everything in a crock pot and simmer on low all day.

Weight Watchers Taco Soup with light sour cream and baked tortillas

You can sprinkle cheese, light sour cream on top for a garnish or serve with chips (points go up based on this)
I buy flat yellow corn tortillas, spray them with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt baked at 365 for 10 minutes...2pp for two and much better than chips!

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Crepes

Weight Watchers Crepes
Serves 8
1 classic pt/2 plus points per crepe!

I adore these!!! I love how low in points they are and the nutmeg really gives it a little something extra! =)


Ingredients:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup fat free milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

*Whisk together flour, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat together milk and eggs in a small bowl. Whisk milk mixture into flour mixture until smooth. Let stand for 15 minutes.

** Spray 8 inch nonstick skillet with non stick spray and set over medium heat until drop of water sizzle in pan. Re-stir batter, pour scant 1/4 cupful of batter into skillet, tilting pan to coat bottom completely. Cook until top is set and underside is golden brown, about 1:30 minutes.

*** With spatula, loosen edge of crepe and turn over. Cook until second side is lightly browned, about 25 seconds. Slide crepe onto plate. Repeat with remaining batter, lightly spraying skillet before adding more batter, making a total of 8 crepes.

Weight Watchers Crepes with light syrup

Per Crepe:
Calories: 62
Fat: 2g
Carb: 8g
Fiber 0g
Protein 3g

Source: The New Complete Cookbook www.weightwachers.com
Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Super Star of the Week: Angela Reid!!!!!

I am loving all the weight loss stories! Meet Angela, a 29 year old from California who has gone up and down with her weight over the past few years. She lost 40lbs in 2006,  maintained that for a few years, but slowly put the weight back. In January of 2013 she really made a lifestyle change that turned her from the "fat friend" into the power house that she is today! Check out her amazing story below.

November 2013

When did you start your journey?

July 2012

 "I STARTED Walking on November 28th 2012 and I joined WW again for the third time in January 2013."

What is your favorite exercise routine? 
"I love to run now I used to hate it but I got into it this year and I really enjoy it plus I burn the most calories that way. Also running is very therapeutic for me when I'm feeling upset or mad I want to run!! It makes me feel good and relieves the stress. I follow my runs with some weight lifting! I Love deadlifts!!"

Look at that back progression!!!!

What's on your playlist that gets you pumped? 
"I listen to Pandora the club dance or dance option so its a mixture of fast paced upbeat songs. Without music I feel lost and out of it, a song can get me through parts of my work outs, I've even started dancing around when I run usually its my head and arms moving around, I bet other people laugh at me but that's fine with me I'm burning calories!!"

How much weight have you lost total?
"I started this time around at 194lbs and I got down to 149lbs in June so that's 45 pounds. I've been going up and down since then, currently I'm 164lbs so that's a 30 pound difference. I've also had my body fat done and its currently 20.8 and I'm very proud of that!"

What tips do you have for someone still working towards their goal?
"NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!! It's not an easy road to take but it's a great one and

Aug 2011 to August 2013

the end results are amazing! I've struggled the last couple months but I haven't given up and I wont. I've cried through some of my workouts BUT if I quit what's that saying to myself? That I'm not important enough? I am important and I do believe in myself. I encourage you to believe in yourself and to keep pushing your limits, you will surprise yourself!"

How did you lose the weight/ what plan did you follow?
 "I started with walking and slowly changing my food choices, no soda, and I cut back on alcohol big time. In January 2013 I joined Weight Watchers and I do their plan. I also drink a gallon of water a day and eat lots more fruits and veggies!"

What's your favorite "cheat" meal?
"Something greasy, like tacos de papa, homemade enchiladas or anything with peanut butter."

What is your favorite snacks? 
"Banana, Brussels sprouts, Popcorn, any fruit cut up with lemon and chili powder on top!"

What's your favorite motivational quote or saying?
 "Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." Also love Nikes "just do it"

Who is your biggest inspiration?
 "My biggest inspiration is me! When I challenge myself and beat those challenges it

FEB 2013 to Jun 2013

inspires me to keep challenging and pushing myself further!" 

How much more weight do you want to lose? 
 "My goal weight is 143lbs, so about 21 more pounds."

Have you always had a weight issue?
 Yes ever since I was 12 I've was the "fat friend." I was very self conscious as a teenager and it continued into adulthood until I decided to make changes."

What made you decide to start losing weight?
"A few reasons, in 2012 I had a lump in my breast and I had to have an ultrasound along with 5 doctor visits in a year. Thankfully it was a healthy mass but it scared me and motivated me to make healthier changes so I can take care of my body. I only get one so I need to care for it. I'm currently in the process of adopting my special needs nephew and I want to be able to play with him without getting out of breath. By me living a healthy and active lifestyle I'm showing him by example, he loves going hiking with me and he comes to the gym with me. He will ask "Did you workout today?"
I was unhappy about my weight and appearance and I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and unhappy with myself but I wasn't willing to make changes based on that. I was my meanest friend I put myself down everyday with negative comments and beat myself up mentally telling myself "YOUR just not GOOD enough", it was not healthy. I'm an emotional eater so when I felt any emotion I would eat, especially if I was upset. In November 2012 I was sad and hurt from a relationship ending that I didn't want to end, I decided to take charge then. I told myself you can be hurt, sad and feed those feelings

Dec 2012 to Jun 2013

with bad unhealthy food which in the end will make me even sadder and unhappy OR you can channel your pain into something positive SO on the day he moved away I started walking. I walked 6 days a week for 2 hours a day. I changed my eating and most important I changed my thought process and I started giving myself compliments everyday (they say for every one negative comment give yourself 5 positive ones so that's what I started doing) When I first started walking it took me 2 hours to walk almost 7 miles and today 11/11/13 I ran 5 miles in 45 mins!! I feel like my weight loss was a great experience for me, I learned to LOVE who I am which is something I don't think I've ever done. I cried the moment I realized that I LOVED myself and that's when I finally felt happy.....I finally felt like ME!!

 

July 2013

Congrats to Angela on her journey.....I know you will reach your final goal and I am so beyond proud to see what positive steps you have taken...both mentally and physically. As an emotional eater myself I know the struggle to overcome that. Changing your thought process is hard but it is one of the biggest keys to success in weight loss. You rock girl!

WOWZA!!!!

Be an inspiration:
I'd love to hear your story! Message me at Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat and you might be our super star one week!!!

Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Spaghetti Pizza

Weight Watchers Spaghetti Pizza

 

Serves 10

6 classic points/ 8 points plus value

Ingredients 2 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray      12 oz uncooked whole wheat pasta, spaghetti      2 large egg white(s)      1 large egg(s)      2/3 cup(s) fat free skim milk    3/4 tsp garlic powder    1/2 tsp table salt    1 1/2 tsp dried oregano    1/4 cup(s) basil, fresh, chopped (plus extra leaves for garnish)    9 oz shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided    32 oz bottled spaghetti sauce    2 oz pepperoni, finely julienned (about 1/2 cup)    Instructions Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a 9- X 13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. Break spaghetti into 2-inch pieces and cook, al dente, according to directions; drain and cool. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat egg whites and egg until frothy. Stir in milk, garlic powder, salt, oregano, basil and 1/3 of mozzarella; add cooked spaghetti and stir until thoroughly combined. Spread spaghetti mixture evenly in bottom of baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes; remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350ºF. Spread spaghetti sauce over pasta; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Scatter pepperoni evenly over cheese layer. Return to oven and bake until heated through and cheese is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, garnish with basil and then cut into 10 servings. Yields 1 slice per serving. . We found it too difficult to get 10 slices out of it, so we made the slices a little bigger and changes the points value on them. We cut it into 8 slices and changed the points value to 8 classic points/ 10 points plus  I also use turkey pepperoni and put whole slices on it.  Source: www.weightwatchers.com Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Barbecue Pork with Mop Sauce

Weight Watchers Barbecue Pork with Mop Sauce
Makes 6 servings.
4 classic points/ 5 points plus

Dry Rub for Pork:
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (ground red pepper)
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

2 pork tenderloins (1 1/2 pounds), trimmed of all visible fat

For the Mop Sauce:
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1. Spray the grill rack with nonstick spray; prepare the grill for indirect heating.

2. To prepare the spice rub, combine the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne and pepper in a bowl. Rub half the mixture all over the pork and let stand 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, to prepare the sauce, combine the ketchup, vinegar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.

4. Rub the pork with remaining spice rub. Place over the indirect heat section of the grill. Grill 15 minutes. Turn the pork and grill until an instant read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 160°F, 12-15 minutes longer. Remove from the grill, cover loosely with foil, and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting each tenderloin into slices. Serve with the sauce.

WW Barbequed Pork with Mop Sauce (shredded) over 1/2 cup white rice and broccoli

**I mainly use boneless pork chops for this, and I just measure out the pork chops based on the grams per serving according to the recipe. I've also rubbed the pork with the dry rub, placed them in the crockpot, covered them in the mop sauce and cooked them on low all day. Then right before dinner shredded the meat. You can put on a bun or my favorite over spaghetti squash....these variations will change the points value and you'll need to figure out the difference with your calculator.

Per Serving (4 slices pork(120 grams) with about 2 tablespoons sauce):
210 Calories, 5g Fat, 2g Sat Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 72 mg Chol, 630mg Sodium, 15g Carb, 1g Fiber, 26g Protein, 40mg Calcium

Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat
www.weightwatchers.com 

Stay at Home Mom....I prefer CEO and Master Chef of the Chambers Household.

I run this joint. My hubby makes the money which funds our home but let's face it 

My husband Stephen and I July 2013

without me....the house would fall apart. It's a good feeling to be needed and I have always dreamed of being a home maker. To really experience it....it is amazing and every morning when I wake up I am so thankful that my husband supports me in every way. Even

My Son Xander, Daughter Bella and I June 2013

though I find it exhausting and sometimes irritating cleaning up everyone's messes, getting lost in piles of laundry and the constant need to wash the dishes....I love taking care of my family. Being a stay at home mom can come with a certain....laid back affect on your appearance. Honestly the people who see me are walmart employees and occasionally when I take a  trip to a different store their employees.  One of my biggest reasons for taking my weight loss journey this  year

and really making it a lifestyle vs a diet....is my children. My husband has always loved me no matter what my weight and he has always made me feel beautiful. But I never felt that way and I certainly didn't want my children seeing me pig out and be unhealthy so that they could follow in those steps. When I had my son in 2007 I was the largest I had ever been in my life 230lbs at delivery and 215lbs give or take when he was 3 months old.
I forced myself to lose the  weight but my mind was not where it needed to be and as soon as I got it off I was back to the same old routine of doing whatever and not exercising.  I gained 30lbs of the 70lbs I had lost over the course of 3 years and when I got pregnant with my daughter in 2011 I finished it all off and was back at 220lbs at delivery with her. January 4, 2013 I had a wake up call....it smacked me so hard in the face one morning that I literally felt sick to my stomach. In my mind it was one thing for a boy to grow up with an over weight mom but for a girl to do it.... the emotional effect on her I know  would be bad. I could not and would not do that to them.....my children, the reason I wake up every morning were now my reason for being better, healthy and not skinny....but fit.

November 2013 145lbs

I have no desire to have a six pack and I've accepted that no matter my weight I will probably never be comfortable in a bikini again and that is ok. Every day that I wake up and my son sees me go for a run, is a good day. He will ask me on my rest days "When are you going on your run mommy?" I am the role model that I want to be for them and it feels amazing. But what made this time different than the last time? Two big things needed to happen for me to lose this weight and keep it off this time...First I needed to change my thought process, this wasn't a diet to lose weight....it was a lifestyle change, my weight loss journey was my training session on how to live the rest of my life. I didn't need food to feel happy or complete....I needed to feel good in my own skin. To be healthy....not skinny.

Second I needed to cook good and healthy food, I also wanted to make sure that my family were eating better too. Yes it is sad to say that it is way cheaper to eat junk food and it isn't always easy getting a meal on the table every night. But part of weight loss and being healthy is making a commitment and sticking to it. I went to the store and got Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook....even if you don't follow their program I recommend you get this cookbook. Each recipe has it's nutritional value listed and the food....is real food that every store carries and the recipes are amazing.  Teaching yourself how to eat is the key here....anyone can drink a shake or heat up tv dinners in the heat of weight loss but will you do that forever?! Most people don't and a lot of people can't maintain because they never learned how to eat properly in the first place. It wasn't as hard losing the weight this time because the food was new, exciting and oh my goodness....it is delicious!  I know that not everyone stays home and can cook every night, take a few hours on the weekend or your day off and make a few meals....they freeze very well and then you have a healthy meal already prepared all you have to do is heat up! Most of the meals I make we get two dinners out of,  I do a lot of freezing and re heating so I know it works. I recommend soups for lunches...add them with your main dish to help fill you up! There are tons of great soup recipes in the cookbooks I have. You can make this work, you just have to want it bad enough. I have a pinterest account and I find tons of great "skinny" recipes that I pin so even if you can't afford a new cookbook you can find great meals online for free!!! My friend loved her Weight Watchers One Pot cookbook so I picked it up. Tons of fantastic recipes that only take one pot per recipe to make! Talk about easy clean up! 

                                                                                                                                          

I also want to stress that I am not a "cook" I have no training, I enjoy cooking....not the dishes so much.....but it comes down to a simple..."if Staci can do it, you can do it." All I do is just follow the recipes, so give yourself and your family the gift of delicious healthy food. Start cooking, get in that kitchen and whip up some tasty food, you won't feel like you're "eating right" because it tastes so good!!!!!

There are lots of sweet treat recipes in the complete cookbook, so you can enjoy the sweets of life without adding to your waistline too!

Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

Recipe Corner: Weight Watchers Shepherd's Pie

I just love WW recipes! Even if you don't follow the WW program their recipes are fantastic and they are a great way to eat some yummy food and still make better choices!  Seasoned meat and vegetables are nestled under creamy mashed potatoes and then baked to form a sensational, savory pie. Check out the recipe below!

Weight Watchers Shepherd's Pie (We call this one Meat Pie)


CLASSIC POINTS® Value: 5
POINTS® PLUS Value: 7

Servings:  6



Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream OPTIONAL
• 1 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine
• 1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 cup onion(s), chopped
• 2 medium carrot(s), diced
• 1 pound uncooked ground turkey breast
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp rosemary, fresh, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cup canned chicken broth, or beef broth

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400ºF.
• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and pour in enough water to cover potatoes. Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain potatoes, transfer to a large bowl and add sour cream and margarine; mash until smooth, season to taste with salt and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery; cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add turkey and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add flour, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper; stir to coat. Add broth and bring to a simmer; simmer until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer turkey mixture to a 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate. Spread mashed potatoes over top and using the back of a spoon, make decorative swirls over the top. Bake until potatoes are golden, about 30 minutes. Slice into 6 pieces and serve.

Chef Tips

• We renovated Shepherd's Pie by:
  • Using naturally lean turkey breast instead of fattier lamb or beef.
  • Swapping nonfat sour cream for most of the butter in the mashed potato topping.
  • Adding reduced-calorie margarine, instead of butter, to the mashed potatoes.
  
  

  

  Weight Watchers Shepherd's Pie with Parmesan Green Beans

   Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat
  www.weightwatchers.com 

Super Star of the week! Joshua Wirth!!

Meet Joshua....a 33 year old from Savannah Georgia who made a choice with some tough love from friends to get fit....not only for himself but for his children. A motivation I use myself, our children look to us for guidance and they watch us when we don't think they are. Losing weight is such a satisfying thing to do but knowing that you are setting the right example for your little ones is truly the biggest reward. Josh has spent the past 5 months working hard and making some major progress....he is still on his journey but he is most defiantly a super star! Check out his story below!

Josh in 2007

When did you start your journey?
About 4-5 months ago. 

What is your favorite exercise routine?
Walk with my kids.

What's on your playlist that gets you pumped?
A lot of DubStep
 
How much weight have you lost so far?
Almost 40lbs

What made you decide to start losing weight?
My back was killing me I was sick a lot and my best friend and boss came to me and said this is it you lose weight or basically we are done. It was tuff love but it was and is what

Josh and his wife Lindsey in 2008

I needed. He wasn't just an ass about it he is super supportive and pays my WW dues and set up a coalition of people that care for me and made them put there money where there mouth was and between him and my friends i will be given i think its up to 26 or 27 dollars for every pound i lose up to 150 lbs.

What tips do you have for someone still working towards their goal?
Don't give up even when you slip up. Find a diet and workout plan that allows you to eat the things you like and to do the things you like. If you do that you will be more successful.

How did you lose the weight/ what plan did you follow?
I use WW. Its great because it allows you to eat the things you want while teaching you portion control. It also has a huge amount of info at your disposal.
 
What's your favorite "cheat" meal?
Pizza

What is your favorite snacks?

Josh with his wife Lindsey and son Leland in 2009

Bananas

What's your favorite motivational quote or saying?
"Never give up!"  ~Winston Churchill

What/Who is your biggest inspiration?

 Being able to wear a speedo during bikini season! LOL My kids and being around for them.

How much more weight do you want to lose?
110lbs
 

Have you always had a weight issue?

Until I hit Puberty I was a runt. It seems like the summer before HS I grew a few inches. I was 6 ft tall in my freshman year and I weighed 215 lbs. I was big but not fat. I started working out and and playing football when I did my shoulders and chest got really big while still having a smallish waist. lol The end of my Sophomore year I was eating like I was still playing sports and I wasn't. I gained a bunch of weight When I started my Jr year i was 300 lbs and that's when I started my first diet. I dropped down to 240 ish a few months into my Jr year I had a 52 chest and a 36 waste I loved being that size. I like being big just not this big. When I went to college I was working the night shift at Home Depot and worked out twice a day by this time I had grown another inch and weighed 270ish and was stronger then I had ever been which I stayed at for a few years. Then in 2006 I got a sales job. Which meant no more physical work and I slowly got fatter and fatter. I would diet but as soon as I came off I gained it all back and more. I got to 390 lbs which is when I started the WW diet.

Josh 2013 40lbs lighter and on his way to his goal!

I for one and so super proud of you Josh! You have come a long way and yes you have a journey still ahead of you but you WILL make it there! I can't wait to interview you again when you reach your goal!!!! Keep on rocking....you're a superstar!!!! 

Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat 

Recipe Corner : Apple Butternut Squash Soup

I love soups, esp this time of year and I have found that when I add a soup to my lunch it helps me feel much more full when I'm done and helps me not over eat. I went online and found a few recipes for butternut squash and I asked a good friend how she makes hers so I put a little bit of all of them together. This is so yummy and super low in points!!! Enjoy!!!


Apple Butternut Squash Soup 

1pp/1pt per cup! 

3lb butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed and cut into chunks
2 small apples (I used jazz apples)
1 onion, diced 
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup diced carrots 
3 tbs of fresh parsley 
4 cups of vegetable broth
All spice powder- to taste
Nutmeg powder- to taste
Ginger powder- to taste


Put the butternut squash, apples, onion, carrots, parley, 3 cups of vegetable broth, and spices in a pan and cook about 10 minutes or until squash is tender. Then in batches blend soup in a food processor. Put processed soup in a sauce low while you finish blending everything. Once all blended and reunited in sauce pan add the last of the broth to your liking....less for thicker soup, more for thinner. 

Apple Butternut Squash Soup

Facebook.com/irunbecauseiliketoeat

November 4th

November 4, 1998. I was 15 and I woke up super excited, it was a half day of school for my friend Ashley and we were going to the mall. I couldn't wait to go to Old Navy, my mom was even considering letting me drive there. I got dressed and had two bowls of my favorite cereal, oops all berries. My mom decided that she didn't want me driving over the bridge so I could drive to the school to pick up my friend....I was mad, I was 15 I could handle a bridge, after expressing this I was still told no. We went up to the school and picked up my friend, spent a few minutes talking to some other friends outside and then my Mom, Grandmother, Ashley and I were on our way. Life was good, my Grandmother had just over came cancer, she had received her last chemo treatment and was in remission.  Ashley and I were in the back seat talking about boys and the next thing I truly remember was Nanny yelling "JESUS!" in a tone I'd never heard before....pure fear and BAM. The sound was so loud...it was deafening, the car went dark with a powder and my body went flying up and to the right and then black. I remember feeling like I was waking up from a dream...a bad dream. I had maybe 5 seconds before it hit me....I couldn't breathe and the pain in my back was nothing I had ever felt in my life. I felt like my body was pinned to the seat, I couldn't move my head but I started looking in every direction around me, I saw Ashley slumped over in the seat next to me, I tried to move my arm to touch her but I literally couldn't move. I kept trying to figure out what was going on....I heard a rasping sound coming from the front seat and my eyes moved to the front of the car...and I saw the blood. It was all over the ceiling, the windshield was intact but in a million pieces.....I determined the rasping sound was my mom trying to breathe....I felt relived, that meant she was alive. I forced a sound to come out of my mouth...Nanny....Nanny. She started moaning....in that moment Ashely screamed from next to me, "I've got to get out of here" she literally jumped out of the car and ran off....people started coming to the doors and reaching in through the broken windows in the front seat. A lady with blonde curly hair opened my door.....I just stared at her, she was pretty, she kept asking me my name and asked if I could move. All I could get out was is my mom and nanny ok. She said help is coming....I could talk now for the most part and I started begging her to lay me down, the pain became more intense by the second and all I wanted was to lay down and curl into a ball surely that would make it feel a little better....it had to. She told me she couldn't move me, she kept rubbing my hair, a man with red suspenders was talking to my Nanny, she was barely making any noise but he kept telling her to hang on help was coming. My mom still wasn't talking that I could hear. I looked up at the lipstick mark in the ceiling of the backseat...a few months prior my friend was putting lipstick on when we went over a speed bump and her lipstick hit the ceiling. We were so scared my parents would freak out, they had just gotten this car earlier that year. It didn't matter now.   It felt like it was hours before the ambulance showed up...they came to me first and I kept saying get my mom, get my grandmother....they said someone is getting them. Oh relief was in sight, they were going to lay me down.....and then they moved me. I have no idea how I didn't blackout from the pain....I was laying down now and all I wanted now was to sit back up. Get me up oh God please sit me back up! Laying down hurt worse than sitting, they got me in the ambulance....I was so embarrassed, the EMT helping me said, "I have to cut your clothes off so I can make sure you are ok." My new jeans....he cut my new jeans. Not only that he was a boy and he was going to see my body....thinking about  I laugh at where my thoughts went but I remember them like they were yesterday.  Then they wheeled Nanny in....Nanny I said, she looked in my direction but she didn't focus on me, then a head popped in and said "not that one she is critical, she is being life flighted to Shands." Now I didn't fully understand all that but I knew life flight and I knew that was bad....I kept moaning her name and the EMT helping me looked at me and said, "it's going to be ok" and started asking me all kinds of questions, what day is it, who is president, how old are you. I found myself in the ER....doctor by doctor kept coming in, they made me drink this chalk like liquid to do an xray....I threw it up all over the floor. I was so so embarrassed. I don't remember much of the day...it's a blur. I remember asking for my mom and nanny and I remember doctors coming in and saying how they couldn't believe I was alive. A youth leader from my church came and stayed with me, my Dad needed to be with my mom at Shands and she didn't want me alone....Rachel will always be my angel, she did things that only a family member would be willing to do. She watched me take small bites of jello knowing I was going to throw it up, she cleaned me up, helped me go to the bathroom and never left my side. The news came that I had broken a bone in my back....I'll never forget that doctor talking to me about it, I had no idea what he was really talking about but one thing he said I understood, "if this had been a 1/4 inch higher, you'd be paralyzed from the waste down, you are a very lucky girl. I know you are only 15 but you need to make sure that you have all the children you want to have in your twenties because as you get older your back with bother you more and more." Every day that I run I can't believe how incredibly blessed I am to be able to do it, not only can I run but my back has not bothered me once.
My mom had some leg damage due to the break pedal going into her leg, she had a compound fracture on her right arm....Nanny...that amazing women....had to have her spleen removed, her right knee and ankle were destroyed but they made her new ones....Ashely was the furthest away from the impact and walked away with a broken collarbone. I broke a bone in my back,  some internal bleeding, bruised lungs and kidneys but we all lived. What will always stick with me is, I could have been driving....my keys were in the ignition still....no one thinks about a car crossing the middle of a highway and hitting you head on....but it happened to us. A doctor that talked to me explained it to me like us driving 120mph into a brick wall....he said our organs should have liquified. God spared my life that day....he spared all of our lives. Everyday is a gift....today marks 15 years since my life should have ended on that highway. I look at my beautiful babies and think they could have never been here, my friend Ashley's adorable little boy who could have never existed. Not only did God spare us....he spared them. I got 8 more years with Nanny, she danced with me at my wedding. She held my babies in heaven and each day without her is hard but knowing that I got 8 more years....blesses me.
 Today I am so thankful for the stresses in my life....that I am here to experience them. Life can be hard but each day that we wake up we are blessed. So remember to smile and face the day....it  could always be worse.