Fitness Friday: White Chicken Chili
Well, I did it. I completed all twelve weeks of the Body For Life Fitness Challenge. I wish I would have entered the official contest.
I might have won some cash! But it involved taking before and after photos, and I couldn’t bring myself to do it. So let’s just pretend these are me.
Naaaawwww…not really. You know I have blond hair.
Anyway, for those of you who are wondering if this program yields results, let me share some of my results with you.
My Goals:
1.To finish the the 12-week Body For Life Challenge
2. To increase strength and muscle tone. Even though I’ve been working out for 20 years, I hit a plateau and wanted to break through it.
3. Hopefully lose some inches in my lower body area. I didn’t care how much, my pants were just a little too tight.
My Results:
1. Weight Removed: 5 pounds. I know that’s not much, but I was actually on the lower end of my normal weight range when I started, so I knew the weight loss would not be significant, nor should it have been.
2. Inches lost: Based on measurements I took in 6 areas, I lost a total of 12 inches!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s A LOT on my frame!
3. Dropped TWO pant sizes!!!!!!!! No kidding. I’m in the smallest size I’ve been in since 1998,
4. Gained muscle tone, strength and energy. Most notably, I’ve been able to trade out my afternoon coffee for tea and I’m able to carry my kids around much more easily.
5. And, of course, I completed the challenge!!
You may be surprised to know that during this entire 12 weeks I
1. Drank coffee with cream and sugar every morning
2. Ate peanut butter every day
3. Ate pasta/bread or potatoes every day
4. Ate pizza once (sometimes twice) a week
5. Ate a GREAT dessert at least once a week
Time it took for other people to notice the changes in my body:
About 7 weeks.
The hardest part:
For me, the work outs. Just making myself do it six days a week and pushing myself every day. And also, remembering to eat every 2 to 3 hours.
The obstacles I navigated during the 12 weeks:
1 week of power outage where I had to eat most meals in restaurants.
2 extended family celebrations out of town
1 anniversary weekend out of town (mine!)
And food showing up at my house that I did not put there…like this that my sweet man brought home two days ago.
My Reward:
A big shopping spree to buy some new clothes! I’ve been chucking away money for months in anticipation of this day. I’ve already started the shopping (that’s how I know I’ve dropped two pant sizes). I plan to finish up this weekend. In the words of Ferris Bueller, “It’s so choice. I highly recommend it.”
My plans from here:
Honestly, I’m just going to keep this up. It hasn’t been very hard for me at all, especially after the first few weeks. And I haven’t felt this good about myself in a long time. I guess that’s why it’s called Body FOR LIFE! (get it? For LIFE???)
Remember, Body For Life isn’t the only thing you can do to be healthy or remove fat from your body. Every little change you make is a step in the right direction.
A change you can make today: Get enough sleep. Commit to going to be earlier so you can get a full 8 hours every night. Rest is vital to good health.
And before I go, I want to share with you one of my favorite recipes for this “chili” weather. Every time I make this, people rave over it. Healthy and delicious…enjoy!
White Chicken Chili
(my adaptation of the Bush’s version of this recipe)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 or 2 cloves chopped garlic (to taste)
1 can (4-ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cans (16 ounces) Great Northern Beans
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth
1½ cups shredded chicken breast (see below)
fyi: I use all organic and low fat ingredients
Shredded Low Fat Monterey Jack cheese (optional) Low Fat Sour cream (optional)Salsa (optional) natural tortilla chips (optional)
In large skillet, cook onion and garlic in oil for 4 minutes or until transparent.
Add chilies, flour and cumin; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, boil 2 chicken breasts (you can add more or less if you like) in chicken broth until no longer pink. Remove chicken from broth, shred with two forks, and set aside (do not discard broth).
Add beans and chicken broth to the onion/garlic mixture; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Add chicken and heat through.
Garnish with cheese, sour cream and salsa, and serve with a few chips, if desired.
Please leave a comment and let me know if you’ve made any healthy changes lately or if you try this recipe. I’d love to know!
And come back Monday when we talk more about solitude and I have another fabulous give away (hint, hint: it won’t be a book this time)!!!
p.s. I’ve just learned the cool blog trick of adding my links right into my text. I just wanted to thank Peter at Blogger Tips and Tricks. Look! I just did it again!
Well, you are my new hero. I am almost speechless–no small feat. So I’m going to check this out right after I click away here. As a former WW meeting room leader, let me say I know how much your triumph means to you (even though you weren’t out to lose pounds, per se), how much meeting all of those individual goals meant to you. I am really inspired because it’s not often we read of the triumph, it’s usually just the struggle (I’m guilty of that.) So thank you for sharing!
CONGRATS ON FINISHING THE BODY FOR LIFE CHALLENGE! What an awesome accomplishment! Keep up the great work!
And thank you for your comments on my blog about getting organized!!! I am gonna put your tips to good use, friend!
And thanks for the chili recipe 🙂 Sounds yummy!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kate 🙂
Oh, Sandy! I’m so proud of you. Have fun on your shopping spree!
I am looking forward to trying your chili recipe real soon.
Love you,
Jess
Congratulations Sandy! It’s a wonderful feeling to reach a goal!!!! And the best part is realizing that you far exceeded your expectations!!!
You are my role model.
I’ve reduced my diet pepsi intake considerably!!!! mostly drinking Ice Organic Green Tea. And continue to have small meals. Nothing more than a small salad plate can contain.
This week’s goal is to reduce over processed foods and eat more naturally. Not to mention my book should arrive and I will be following it neurotically until I follow it like a normal person.
I will then proudly wear: Body by God Speaks Today T-shirt!!!
I just have to say “YUUUUMMMMMMMM” on the White Chicken Chili recipe. I’m not a cook by any means (although taking baby steps to learn) and I dove right into your recipe and loved it! It was easy to make and I will definitely make it again! Perfect for a cold autumn evening in with the family!
Well, I went out and bought the book and I am currently in chapter 2. I am struggling with getting time to read it. But I am motivated and enjoying it so far.
Jennifer Burton