New Layout

Just a quick note to let you all know that yes, this is still Tyler and Tyler Loses It!; however, I decided to update the layout.  What do you think?

I'm Baaaaaaack!

Well, it's been a few weeks...close to a month now actually.  I complete forgot about my dear blog and quit worrying over it as I finished my last few weeks of college, graduated, served as the chair for a Student YMCA conference in Virginia, and then started my first ''real'' job!  (That graduation/YMCA conference/starting a job part was all within one week's time).

Anywho, I have started back on my plan to get healthy, lose weight, and feel better.

For those of you who don't know, I have started my career in the YMCA and am working as the office manager at the Ruby C. Hunt YMCA in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.  The facility is beautiful, new, and has great work out facilities (along with an amazing pool).  I'm working at a great YMCA with a membership included in my employment...what excuse do I have?

So, today I started working out again.  I've been trying to ween myself off of sodas and sweet tea (which I started drinking again a few weeks ago) and eat more healthy foods.  I also weighed myself again today and was pleasantly surprised!

My Weight, as of June 7 is...

307 pounds!

I've gained some from the last time that I weighed, BUT, not too much.  That makes me happy!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

DONE!

Well...I am finished...I have completed all my classes for college and will graduate in 10 days.  Can you believe it?!?!?!

I'm going to take the next week to do a lot of reenergizing and preparing for what comes next (which is hopefully a job).

I found an article online this morning about 10 Tricks for Eating Less.  A lot of them are the same-old same-old, but it's always good to have repetition.

Until Next Time...
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-Tyler

Whew This Week...

Hi Friendly Readers...

So, this week is a bit out of control.  I haven't really had time to update you all (and I haven't made it to the gym to even weigh in yet).  BUT, I did want to share an article I found just now.

The list of America's Fattest (and Thinnest) Cities.  Check it out here.

Classes finish tomorrow...I will update you all on Friday when I am finished!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Shameless Plug...

So, I have to do a shameless plug for something here...

My hometown, Brevard, North Carolina, is in the running to be Budget Travel's America's Coolest Small Town for 2010.  

I would LOVE it if you could hop on over to the Budget Travel website and vote for Brevard.  It's free, quick, and easy (you don't even have to get an account...just click on Brevard, click Add to Ballot, then click Cast Your Ballot).

Visit www.voteforbrevard.com and click there to get to the Budget Travel website.

The competition ends soon...any and all help is appreciated!!!

It's the Weekend!!!

It's the weekend...I just finished my last day of Friday classes of my college career, whoa (next Friday is Ready Day).  I can't believe it!!!

Tomorrow is Spring Formal at my University, it should be a lot of fun.  I'm going to try to be good and not eat too much food when we go out to dinner tomorrow night.

So, this is just a quick post to check in a say hello to everyone and share a neat article about 10 Tasty and Healthy Store-Bought Snacks with you all.  Check it out here.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

This is One STRESSFUL Week!

This week is something else...I am stressed to the max with class projects, papers, trying to find a job, interviews, and a lot of other projects.

When I get to these times of extreme stress, there are two ways I feel it can impact my diet (both of them negatively):

1. I eat anything and everything in sight and I quit eating health foods because it's easier to go to McDonald's instead of cooking a meal OR
2. I quit eating.  I forget about food, I run around and skip meals.  I drink caffeine or soda to give me energy.

Both are bad steps to take, so I'm trying to avoid them.  I try to remember that I love cooking and that it helps to relax me and reduce my stress.  I also remember my diet goals and know that I will succeed!

I will update later in the week.  For now I leave you with 23 Ways to Eat Clean, a neat article on about ways you can work to eat more clean and natural foods.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

9, 21, 22...and a Couple of Pounds

Wow, wow, wow...

So, I only have 9 days of college left; 21 days until graduation; and 22 days until a National Campus YMCA Conference that I'm a part of.  I can't believe my college years will be over so soon!  I have papers and projects to finish, graduation to get ready for, jobs to try and get...sooooo much going on!

Now that I've had a little rant about all that's going on over the next few weeks, let me share with you the results from the scale this morning.

My Weight, as of April 26 is...

305 pounds.

A loss of 2 pounds from last week!

We are still doing well!  I'm excited about the progress of the diet and am hopeful that I will be below 300 pounds by graduation day, May 17!

I spent part of the weekend shopping for locally grown produce and getting items that are healthy and yummy.  I went to the Foothill's Farmers' Market and bought lettuce, asparagus, local pork, and saw a bunch of other great food items.  I can't wait to go back and visit it again!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

It's the Weekend!

Well...another week has come and gone.  I will weigh in on Monday and let you all know how we did this past week.  Let's hope we did alright!

I didn't go back to the gym (I know, FAIL) but I hope I can start back this coming week.  I need to, I need to, I need to!!!

I'm off to spend my time weekend-ing.  I only have 9 days of class left and am getting close to graduation!  I can't believe it!!!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Farmers' Market!!!

The last week or so I have been on a continual rant about industrialized food and the need to eat organic, local, and more ''better for you'' foods.  Well, the rants will continue, but I hope to start moving in the direction of eating organically and locally this Saturday with a visit to the opening Saturday of the Foothill's Farmers' Market in Uptown Shelby, North Carolina.

I love a Farmers' Market and I am excited about starting to visit the Foothill's Farmers' Market and getting locally grown vegetables, meats, eggs, and other yummy food items.  It's exciting because this year the Farmers' Market adopted some new policies that require their farmers to produce items in herbicide and pesticide free environments.  I also hope to find local grass-fed beef and local chicken.

I really want to stop eating overly processed or industrialized foods.  It is more expensive and it will take some effort and creativity (and I'll never be able to fully escape modified and manipulated foods...I don't have a farm of my own for instance), but I hope I can start doing it!

So, I'll be at the Farmers' Market on Saturday morning...I hope to see you there!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

It's Weigh In Day!

I did a weigh in this morning and I am happy to report that...

My Weight, as of April 20 is...

307 pounds.

A loss of 1 pound from last week!

So, we are still doing pretty good!  I think we will make to below 300 pounds by graduation day, which is very exciting!

On another note...I mentioned the film Food, Inc. last week in a quick discussion of industrialized food (I'll talk more about that on tomorrow's update), BUT for now, I wanted to pass on some fun news I found out about this afternoon from a tweet by Michael Pollan (author of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto).  The tweet reads...

Yay!  Sooooo...for all of you out there with PBS (which is ALL of you with a television anywhere near you) watch Food, Inc. on Thursday night!  Visit PBS's website here for your local listings.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

 

Two Posts in One Day. What the...

I know, right?  It's crazy that I would do two updates in one day...but here I go!

Tonight I made a DELICIOUS vegetarian dinner (I've noticed I'm becoming more and more vegetarian lately) that was super filling and easy.  Do you want the recipe?  Well here we go!

Sweet Potato Black Bean Cakes, Over Rice, with Lime Sour Cream


Since these are broiled, and not fried, they contain a less amount of fat and aren't soggy.  They're also easy and quick to fix (I would say this mixture could even be made the morning of or day before, patted out, and kept in the fridge until ready to cook).  If you want them to be a bit spicy, try adding a diced jalapeno (with seeds and ribs removed) in step 3!


Ingredients

• 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 medium/large sweet potato (grated)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
• Cooking Spray (such as PAM or sprayable Canola Oil)
• 3 tablespoons chives (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon garlic (diced)
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 cups prepared rice
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions

1. Heat broiler.
2. Add black beans to a large bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher, leaving about 1/4 of the beans whole.
3. Heat small skillet over medium to medium-high heat.  Spray with cooking spray and add chopped chives (you could also use scallions here) and let cook for about 1 minute (is using scallions, let cook until tender).  Add garlic and cumin (and jalapeno if you want it spicy) and let cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant (this mixture will be a little clumpy/lumpy, don't fret, it's all good...just don't burn the cumin).
4. Transfer the spice mixture to the beans and add the sweet potato, egg, bread crumbs and a healthy shake of salt and pepper.
5. Form into 6 to 8 patties (depending on how large you like them).
6. Spray a cookie sheet with the cooking spray and place the cakes on the sheet.
7. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, about 4 inches from the broiler, on one side.  Remove from oven and flip with a thin spatula, put them back into the oven for another 3 minutes.
8. While they are cooking, prepare your rice and make the Lime Sour Cream (mix the sour cream with the lime juice).
9. Plate with the rice, cakes on top, and top it all off with the sour cream!

This meal can easily serve 4 people, with all of them going away full and satisfied.  If you like, throw some salsa or guacamole on top of the cakes, along with the sour cream, for more texture and flavor!

So, ready for the nutrition facts?

Here goes!

A serving for this meal counts as a half cup rice, with two cakes on top, and about a tablespoon of sour cream (if you add your own salsa and guac, you'll be increasing the calories).

The breakdown is...

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 143 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  433 Calories from Fat  47

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  5.2g 8%

Saturated Fat  2.4g 12%

Cholesterol  30mg 10%

Sodium  76mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates  79.3g 26%

Dietary Fiber  9.6g 38%

Sugars  2.6g

Protein  17.3g

Not to bad, eh?

I hope you enjoy the recipe!  If you need any help...just let me know!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Hop to It!

Alright, the motivation has been gone for a little while now.  Yeah, I've tried here and there to maintain the diet and exercise plan, but, alas, have failed miserably over the past month or so.

BUT, I am going to get back to it.  Tomorrow I'll be doing my walking class, going to the gym for some weight lifting work, and I'm going to go back to eating right.

I'm excited and encouraged...one thing that has lead to this new energy for doin' this diet thing is my friend Sarajane (check out her photography business here) and a cool picture she tagged of me on Facebook (if you are visiting this blog from that photo and you're looking for the ''Fat Day'' definition she was talking about, you can find it here).

Alright, that's all for now, I just got really excited and wanted to pass this news on to all of you.

Let's shoot for being below 300 pounds by graduation, which is May 17, shall we?  I think it can be done!!!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Springs Alive!

Today was the annuals Springs Alive festival at my university.  It is a fun time with vendors, music, food, and other fun stuff.  It is a great way to kick off spring and today was no exception.  The weather was perfect and my friends and I had a great time!

This week has been good, I have tried my best to eat healthy, but haven't restricted myself when I wanted to have fun and enjoy myself.

I'm planning on starting back to exercise next week.

WISH ME LUCK!

-Tyler

Let's Talk About Industrialized Food...

Well, the week has come and gone.

This week was interesting because I had an opportunity to learn more about food and the industrialized food industry.  I could create an entire other blog about this topic and all of the environmental, political, and health issues surrounding the food industry.  I had the opportunity to watch the documentary film, Food, Inc. this week and it really impacted the way I think about food and what I put into my body.

One of the things that I want to learn more about is artificial ingredients and how they impact our bodies.

I just found an interesting article about this topic on Shine from Yahoo! that can be found at this link.

The article addresses 9 ingredients that you should avoid in processed foods.  They are:

1. Artificial Colors
2. Artificial Flavors
3. Artificial Sweeteners
4. Benzoate Preservatives
5. Brominated Vegetable Oils
6. High Fructose Corn Syrup
7. MSG
8. Olestra
9. Shortening, Hydrogenated and Patricianly Hydrogenated Oils

If you visit the attached link you can get more details about WHY to avoid these things.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Wha, Wha, Wha...

So, EPIC fail on the blog this week, although not as big of a fail as this photo of a sign from FailBlog.

Anyway, I did do a weigh in this week and I am happy to report that...

My Weight, as of April 14 is...

308 pounds.

A loss of 2 pounds from the last time that I weighed!

So, we aren't doing horrible, and I'm happy with that.

I still haven't started back to the gym, but I plan on doing that next week.  This week has been crazy with assignments, projects, class work, and job hunting.

I plan on posting some interesting links tomorrow, so be on the look out for that!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

'Tis Thursday!

So, Thursday has come and gone.  And it was a pretty good day.

I'm still trying my best to maintain the diet, although I haven't started back exercising, yet.

Tomorrow I will be going out for my birthday with all of my friends and will not be worrying about the diet, it will be nice to have a day off.  But Saturday, it will be back to it!

Have a great night everyone.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Psychology, Meet Weight Loss

For those of you who don't know, I am a psychology major.  I have enjoyed my time in college learning about gender, the criminal mind, human development, appraisal and measurement systems, relationships, positive thought, counseling techniques, and much, much more.  Psychology is such an interesting field, for me, because there are many areas that can be related back to it and that are involved in the study of psychology, from medicine to sociology to areas of the humanities.

One area in which this can be applied is through understanding addiction and addictive behavior.  When we discuss addiction, in psychology, we talk about how addiction is actually related to an overproduction of chemicals in the brain that make us ''feel good.''  It happens when our brain's ''pleasure centers'' are overloaded, leaving us craving more and more of that extreme ecstasy type of feeling.

People have discussed, jokingly and seriously, for a long time that fatty foods can have an addictive component to them, making it more difficult to give up greasy, cholesterol-filled foods like hamburgers, bacon, and cheesecake!  But, people usually dismiss it as a fat person's excuse for they they're...fat.  Well, some new research conducted on rats -- our fine, furry friends -- shows that those rumors may be true.  Published in the journal of Nature Neuroscience and released on CNN Health last week, some research has shown that fatty foods can cause the same addictive behavior patterns as cocaine and heroine use.  While it hasn't necessarily proven anything, it's an interesting concept to address.

Now, this, in no way, addresses issues of fatty ''bad-for-you'' foods being more affordable than the healthy counterparts (leading to some of an understanding of why obesity is more common in low-income communities), it is something to think about!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Cook Out -- Go To . . .

For those of you not in the North Carolina foothills, piedmont, or coastal plain areas, you are probably not familiar with this North Carolina only, deliciously tasting, bad for you, establishment called Cook-Out. You can only find them from about Charlotte, NC and eastward.  They serve hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ, chicken strips, fries, milkshakes, and some North Carolina local sodas.  

The food is horrible for you, loaded in grease and fat...but sooooooo good (check out the menu here).  

When Cook-Out first came to the town near where I go to college, it was swarmed by local students (it's open 'till 4 AM, so it works for our schedules, AND the menu [which you can check out at the link above] is incredible cheap), myself included.  My favorite thing is a Cook-Out Tray, which costs $3.99, with a BBQ sandwich, french fries, chicken nuggets, and sweet tea.

...I know, right?  It's TERRIBLE!!!

Well, I love Cook-Out and when I started the diet I had to quit it, then I had my relapse time and I had it some then, and then I quit it again.  Well, after the last time that I ''quit it'' I told myself that I would have it again for my birthday, and tonight was that night.  So, we went, and I got my Cook-Out.  Yeah, I feel kinda gross now, but I'll get over it.

One final note before I head to bed, I weighed myself today...

My Weight, as of April 6 is...

310 pounds.

 A gain of 1 pound since last time I weighed.

So, here we are, back up to the 3-teen mark.  BUT, I still have five weeks until graduation, and think I can get below the 300 mark by then!

I'll be heading back to the gym tomorrow (and I am NOT looking forward to it).  Wish me luck!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

April is Here...

How I have neglected you all!!!

I apologize for my absence over the past couple of weeks, between Spring Break, my trip to Little Rock, and this past week's Easter Vacation, I have been lacking in the weight loss/dieting/exercising/blogging categories.  BUT, I assure you, that it all starts back tomorrow.  I will be weighing in in the morning after my walking class.  I'm also starting back the whole ''eating right and exercising'' thing this week.

I'm excited about how much more I will be able to lose before graduation (which is 42 days away, by the way).

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Week...Whatever It Is

I have reached a point of apathy in the diet plan.  Spring Break was tough, last week wasn't good, and so far, this week, hasn't been on track.  My birthday is this Friday and I don't think I'm going to reach my ''under 300 pounds'' goal.  BUT, there is hope, I'm going to have good and bad times, and after this week is over, I'll just have to get back to it next week...for real this time.

But, since I still want to keep the blog as something interesting and helpful for YOU, I have decided to post the Top Five Weight Loss Myths.

They are as follows:

1. Carbs Are the Enemy
2. Never Eat After 8PM
3. It's Not a Workout Unless You Sweat
4. Weight Lifting Bulks You Up
5. Muscle Weight More than Fat

Don't let yourself fall prey to these myths!!!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Taking a Break...

I decided today that I would take a break from the scales this week.  I just don't have the drive to go near one this week and see how bad I have done over the past few weeks.

Also, I'm trying to eat right, but it's sooooo hard right now, and I'm not doing so well.  BUT, I have high hopes that I can do well after this week is over.

I'll update you all later on.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

OMG I Do NOT Want to Go Anywhere NEAR a Scale

Well...we have been sucking it up on the diet home front over the past couple of weeks.  Spring Break was tough...then this past week I did not have the motivation to go to the gym, and then from Thursday until today I was in Little Rock, AR, for an academic conference, and I did not do a good job of maintaining the diet.

But, it happens.  It has happened to me before, and I'm sure it will happen again.  Tomorrow I will just be back to square one, with a weigh in and starting back at the gym.  Wish me luck!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

C-RAZY Portion Sizes...

So, I've written about portion sizes before and how we, especially in the U.S., tend to go a little bit overboard when it comes to how much we eat and drink.  And, it's not only how much we eat or drink, but how much we are served and the sizes of items that we buy.

Well, this morning I was browsing the internet and found the following clip that shows Starbuck's has gotten out of control.  It is at the very beginning of the clip and lasts about 2 minutes long...it's a fun clip from the Ellen Degeneres show about Starbuck's new drink size.

It's pretty funny...but, scary in its own right.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

I'm BACK!!!

Spring Break has, sadly, come and gone, and it's back to the grind...for a few days.  I will leave on Thursday morning for Little Rock, Arkansas, for the 2010 Alpha Chi Super Regional Convention.  I'm excited because I love AX and spending time with some fun folks from my University and other schools across the country.  I'm also a bit nervous because, as we all know, I don't tend to do the best when I travel and I have to be careful to maintain the diet and exercise regimen I don't always do the best job of keeping up.  On that note, let me share the results from spring break with you all.  Let me start by saying that it was a real struggle to exercise while on break (meaning I didn't...at all, although I did a lot of walking around St. Augustine, Savannah, and Charleston) and I had a tough time eating ''right.''  Meaning, I ate a lot of pizza, fried foods, and even drank some soda.  I am definitely feeling it now as my body is ''detoxing'' from all the crap I put into it last week (oh, but it was sooooooooo good while it lasted...I kinda miss it now...okay, okay, snapping out of it).

My weight, as of March 22 is:

309 pounds

A gain of 5 pounds from last week!

I know, it's sad.  That 5 pounds I lost before I left...I gained back.  Well, it is okay, I'm not going to worry about it, I just have to get back to doing what I was doing, and the weight will continue to come off.

I am struggling a bit with exercise this week because I am having some issues with my right ankle and my knees.  I have had problems with my left knee since high school, and they have started to come up again recently.  I also took a nasty tumble (I am the world's most graceful person, for those of you who did not know) while on break and have hurt my right ankle and knee.  I'm just going to take it easy on those for a little while (mind you, I will continue to exercise, just not as hard as I had been), until they feel better.

I will update you all later in the week on how the ''back to the real world'' campaign is going.  Let's hope for some weight loss this week, and next, so I can reach my goal of being below 300 pounds by my 22nd birthday!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Spring Break-ing...

Spring Break is upon us!


I am in Florida until early Wednesday morning, then I'll be heading to Savannah, then onto Charleston for the end of the week.


Break has gone well so far.  It's been tough at times, but overall I am happy with my diet status.  We haven't gone out to eat that much, so that makes it easier because I have better control over what I eat and how much I eat.  Thanks to my friend Sarajane's suggestion (check her photography out on Facebook [search for Sayjay Photography and Design]) the drive down wasn't too bad either...we packed a cooler with some grapes, bottled water, homemade hummus, and brought along some crackers and Fiber One bars.  We didn't stop and buy bad-for-you gas station food!  The hardest part will come Wednesday - Saturday because we will be traveling more and doing other stuff...wish me luck!


Until Next Time...


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-Tyler

This Week's Weigh In...form Florida

I write to you all from The Sunshine State (although it's dark out right now and raining).  I wanted to update you quickly since I did a weigh in this afternoon.


I am very excited to share with you all that

My weight, as of March 12 is:

 304 pounds

A loss of 5 pounds from last week!

Wow, wow, wow!!!!  I am very excited about how well the diet has been going and very excited to report that I have lost 15 pounds thus far!

I will update you all again when I can!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Quick Morning Update...

Before I get the day started I wanted to share a link I just found for some Low Fat Breakfast Recipes.  I hope you find them helpful!


I have a test in just a little bit, then lunch with friends, then we're on the road for Spring Break!  I was up late last night...AND my alarm did not go off this morning, so no gym trip for me.  BUT, I will go and do my weigh in for all of you lovely readers before I leave for Florida and beyond.


I'm not sure how much access I'll have to the Internet this coming week, but I will update you all when I can.


Have a great weekend and a great spring break (if you have that this week)!!!


Until Next Time...


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-Tyler

Chicken's Supposed to be Good for You...Right?

I LOVE chicken, it is my favorite meat and is what I usually eat.  My diet consists of a lot of fruits, veggies, and chicken (with some turkey and pork thrown in there from time-to-time).  I just appreciate the freedom one has with chicken, how it can be manipulated and can take on so many flavors.  I also think of it as one of the more healthy options short of vegetarianism.  Well, with that said, let me share something with you courtesy of Men's Health and ''Eat This, Not That.''  It is the list of the Unhealthiest Chicken Dishes in America:

• NUMBER 8 -- Worst Chicken Sandwich
• Chili's Buffalo Chicken Ranch
• 1,560 calories
• 86 g of fat  (*Note*...WHAT THE HECK!?!?!?!)
• NUMBER 7 -- Worst Chicken Salad
• California Pizza Kitchen Waldorf Chicken Salad w/ Blue Cheese Dressing
• 1,570 calories
• 30 g of saturated fat
• NUMBER 6 -- Worst Chicken Rice Dish
• Applebee's Crispy Orange Rice Bowl
• 1,880 calories
• 13 g of saturated fat
• NUMBER 5 -- Worst Chicken Nachos
• Baja Fresh Charbroiled Chicken Nachos (*Note*...Don't let ''charbroiled'' fool you)
• 2,020 calories
• 110 g of fat (*Note*...I don't even understand how something has that much fat)
• PS:  The article says that you could eat an entire package of Chewy Chips Ahoy! cookies, plus, a twin pack of Twinkies and still come out ahead on the amount of fat in this one meal.
• NUMBER 4 -- Worst Chicken Appetizer
• Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken Quesadilla
• 2,141 calories
• 133 g of fat (*Note*...Again, how in the world does something contain that much fat???)
• PS:  Outback Steakhouse is one of the worst restaurants out there for not striving to offer healthy options, cook their food in healthier ways, and publishing their nutrition information.  In fact, they only put out their nutrition facts in New York and California because it is required by law there...the rest of us are out of luck.

Let's take a moment of silence at this point to remember our love of The Cheesecake Factory, as we realize that after these last three categories we will never want to eat there again.

• NUMBER 3 -- Worst "American" Chicken Entree
• The Cheesecake Factory Chicken and Biscuits
• 2,511 calories
• 66 g of saturated fat
• NUMBER 2 -- Worst Chicken Cutlet
• The Cheesecake Factory Crispy Chicken Costoletta
• 2,556 calories
• 85 g of saturated fat (*Note*...This exceeds the daily intake limit of saturated fat for a family of four)
• NUMBER 1 -- Worst Chicken Entree in America
• The Cheesecake Factory Farfalle with Chicken & Roasted Garlic
• 2,579 calories
• 62 g of saturated fat

And there you have it...the unhealthiest chicken dishes in the country.  By the way, that last one from The Cheesecake Factory is just one of six chicken and pasta entrees served at this American eatery in excess of 2,000 calories.  My word of advice on The Cheesecake Factory -- STAY AWAY!  Another word of advice is to not be fooled that because it's chicken, it's healthy.  Number 2, The Cheesecake Factory Crispy Chicken Costoletta, has a description on the menu that makes it appear to be a thin and lightly breaded piece of chicken served with mashed potatoes and asparagus.  What they don't tell you is how much butter, oils, and fats are used to make the meal.


It's a dangerous world out there...don't let chicken get the best of you.


Until Next Time...


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-Tyler

Counting Down the Days...

Spring Break arrives this Friday, and I am sure that I am just as excited as most of the students at my University for a break!  I am planning on traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for the first 4 days, then to Savannah, Georgia for St. Patrick's Day, and then on to Charleston, South Carolina for the last weekend of break.  I am excited because I really wanted to go to the beach, I have been wanting to go to Savannah for a while now, and I really really love Charleston.  It's going to be a fun and relaxed Spring Break!

I am also nervous about break because I know how I get on the weekends (eating whatever I want) and I don't want break to be like a really really long weekend.  I won't have access to a gym or a scale or anything next week, so I'm actually going to do next week's weigh-in on Friday, and then do another weigh-in when I return on March 22.  Also, since I won't have a gym to go to everyday, I plan on getting up in the mornings and going for an hour long walk/jog to keep some kind of exercise in my routine.  It's not going to be easy to get out of bed early during Spring Break to go exercise, but I know I need to do it.  I am also really concerned about food...this trip is going to be such an amazing opportunity to see new places and experience new things and one thing I absolutely love to experience when traveling is FOOD!  But, alas, I will try to contain myself, following some principles I established early on, and haven't always stuck to, such as not clearing my plate, only drinking water or unsweetened tea, and striving for healthier options that are grilled or broiled instead of fried.  I will appreciate all of your good thoughts during next week, I'm sure I'll need them!  Let's hope that I return from Spring Break having lost even more weight!!!


Until Next Time...


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-Tyler     

It's Weigh In Day!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...


I am happy to report that

My weight, as of March 8 is:

 309 pounds

A loss of 4 pounds from last week!

We did pretty good last week, didn't we?

Today I went to the gym and worked out for a loooooooong time.  In the past I have typically average 2.5 to 3 miles on the elliptical.  I get really burnt out around mile 2 and that is the time that I usually hit the ''Cool Down'' button and finish the last 1/2 mile at an easy pace.  Today the 2 mile mark came and I wasn't tired, then the 3 mile mark, then the 4 mile mark.  Before I knew it I had finished 5 miles!  It was crazy and I felt soooo good afterward, it was a great accomplishment for me.  Today was also the day of my first 10 pounds, so that's another great step in the right direction.

My next big goal is to get below 300 pounds by my birthday (April 2nd).  That's just a little over 3 weeks away; so, give me the encouragement I need to get there.  As I said earlier, I am sticking to my goal of losing 35 pounds by graduation (May 17th).  That is 10 weeks away, I'm not sure if I'll make it, but I am going to try...I am already headed that way!!!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Quick Saturday Morning Hello...

Hi Everyone,


Well, we have made it to another weekend, this is where I usually don't do so hot.  Today I am headed to Durham, NC to see the musical Spring Awakening with some friends.  I'm going to try my best to not eat too much, to drink only water, and to steer clear of gas station snacks.  The weekends are tough because I usually go out to eat more and I'm traveling, so that makes it even harder...McDonald's is the easiest solution, but I'll control myself!


Have a great weekend everyone.  I'll try to update tomorrow, if not it will be Monday with the newest weigh in results!!!


Until Next Time...


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-Tyler

Pork Chops, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Asparagus

Pork Chops, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Asparagus


It's recipe time!!!



Let's get started with a picture of what you're going to be making:

Looks pretty good, huh?

Here we go...

Marinated and Grilled Pork Chops

Note:  You'll need some time for these to marinade before cooking them!  If you want them for dinner tonight...it's too late, get your marinade put together and put your pork chops in the marinade the morning you plan to have this meal.

What You'll Need:

• 2 - 3 oz. boneless pork chops
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

What To Do:

1)  Make a marinade of the soy sauce, water, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and black pepper.  Mix all ingredient together in a large sealable plastic bag.

2)  Rinse pork chops and place in plastic bag.  Let marinade for at least 6 hours.

3)  When ready, remove from the bag and place on a grill, George Forman grill, or grill pan.  Cook for ten minutes on each side.  Finish in the oven for another 20 minutes, checking for doneness.

Nutrition Facts (per serving) -- Calories: 175  Fat: 7 g  Protein: 22 g

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Note:  This was my absolute favorite part of the meal.  Again, give yourself some time for this one, it's not a super quick recipe.

What You'll Need:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (rinsed, peeled, and diced)
• 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter or butter substitute (I use Smart Balance)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Dash of cinnamon

What To Do:

1)  Put the diced potatoes, 2 tablespoons of milk, the sugar, salt, and 3 tablespoons of butter in a covered pot on the stove.

2)  Cook on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Do not turn heat above medium-low or the potatoes will scorch.

3)  The potatoes will be ready when they can be easily pierced with a fork.

4)  Mash the potatoes with a potato masher, add the honey, the rest of the milk and butter, and the cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts (per serving) -- Calories: 250  Fat: 10 g  Protein: 4 g  (note...this is if you use butter substitute, the calories and fat will be more if you use regular butter).

Sautéed Asparagus with Parmesan

What You'll Need:

• 8 spears of asparagus, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced

What To Do:

1)  Heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat.

2)  Season the asparagus with salt and pepper.

3)  Add the asparagus to the pan and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until tender but still crisp.

4)  Add parmesan and toss.

Nutrition Facts (per serving) -- Calories: 175  Fat: 10 g  Protein: 6 g

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There you have it!  I hope you enjoy it!  If you need any help or have questions, just let me know.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Good Thursday Morning to You...

Hi Everyone!

So, this week has been okay thus far as we start back with the diet.  I didn't make it to the gym yesterday, I had class and a make up test, and a meeting I was leading last night, so I didn't have time.  I also didn't make it this morning, but I have walking class in about 30 minutes, so I'll get it in there.  Other than that, eating well has been fine, not too tough.  I just feel so much better when I'm eating the right things and exercising, I love it!

Last night I made a really yummy dinner last night of grilled pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes and sauteed asparagus.  I will post the recipes, nutrition facts, and pictures later for you to enjoy and make for yourself!  It's a delicious and filling meal, with a lot of ''good for you'' items, all under 600 calories!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Weight Loss Winners...

As Wednesday starts out I wanted to share a fun article with you that I found on MSN this morning about Weight Loss Winners.  The article shows the stories of 5 men and a little bit about how they lost weight.  It's pretty inspiring.


Have a great day everyone!


Until Next Time...


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-Tyler

Tis Tuesday...

So, I wrote yesterday letting you all know that I would be starting back on the diet plan and I can report today that it is going very well.  I did my weight in, went to the gym, and did some grocery shopping.  We got a ton of fresh fruits and veggies, it is good to see the house stocked with peppers, onions, peaches, bananas, grapes, asparagus, berries, spinach, and avocado.  On the protein front we purchased chicken, pork chops, fish, shrimp, and tofu.  And then there are eggs, organic milk, cheese, yogurt, a ton of Lean Cuisines, and various other snacks and such.  I looooooove food, so I had to be sure that the house is stocked with yummy, yet nutritious, items.

The gym is going well too, I just love how I feel after I work out.  So refreshed and good about myself.  It's great!

Well, today instead of just rambling about myself I figured I would share an interesting article that I found on Yahoo!  The article addresses childhood obesity and the amount of snacking that American kids do.  It says that "U.S. children eat an average three snacks a day on top of three regular meals, a finding that could explain why the childhood obesity rate has risen to more than 16 percent, researchers said on Tuesday."  Wow!  That's a lot of chips, cookies, juice boxes, and fruit.  I feel like snacking is good for me at times because it helps me not overeat when it does come meal time, but I guess it's important to keep them to a minimum  and not eat too much when snacking.

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler

Good afternoon everyone!

So, I went to the gym this afternoon and weighed myself, and was surprise to find the following...

My weight, as of March 1 is:

313 pounds

A loss of 1 pound from last week!

So, despite the crappy eating and lack of exercise from last week, I still lost weight!  That is exciting, haha.  But, I am back on track from here, trying to reach my goal of losing 35 pounds by graduation.  I have 10 weeks until then, so we will see how much I can lose in that amount of time.  I have lost 6 pounds since I began on January 11, averaging out to 1 pound a week since then.  I would be content with being below the 300 pound mark by graduation, but I will still strive to lose 29 more pounds by then, that's an average of 3 pounds a week, which is doable.

I did notice something over the past few weeks, when I was eating poorly and not exercising, and that is that I felt horrible.  My headaches came back, my back and legs started to hurt again, my stomach was yucky...all the issues that were reconciled with proper eating and regular exercise came back as soon as I started drinking soda, quit exercising, and gave up.  If for nothing else, I have to do this because I feel better...soooooo much better!

Until Next Time...

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-Tyler