Plump girl on strength training

I started "lifting weights" this week. Really, the term "strength training" should be used because it sure wasn't a lot of weight I was lifting. The routine only takes me about 25 minutes and some is done on the mat with dumbbells and some is done on the machines.

When I'm using the machines, I get extremely self conscious. I tend to keep my head down or my eyes lowered in an attempt to be an ostrich and stick my head in the sand. The theory is, if I don't look at someone else, they won't look at me. I have the unrealistic idea that people who are much fitter than myself will wonder what the heck I'm doing at the gym; that I don't belong there. I know...silly.

Tuesday, when I was using the machines, this woman came in and she had an amazing body. Hear me people: her body was rockin'! Now, I am a happily married woman of heterosexual orientation but I stared at her. I tried to be as discreet as possible so she didn't think I "wanted some of that" but I couldn't help myself! She had amazing legs and arms and her stomach was washboardtastic! I doubt I'll ever get to that point, but if I do, I hope someone stares at me!

I move over to the mats to do some stretching and crunches. We all know that when we stretch, there may be noises of indeterminable origin or small bursts of air which escape our bodies. This can't be helped and it's natural, right? NO! It's highly embarrassing and should be attempted to be controlled at all costs!  I stayed there in my stretching position which was basically a fetal yoga position when it happened. I gasped and slightly chuckled to myself as I glanced around me to make sure nobody would be gassed out (pun intended) by my outburst. Luckily for me or someone else, when my plump buttocks squeaked out a fresh one, I was alone.

Exercise induced flatulence, I believe, is a common occurrence among people who partake in fitness activities simply because bodies are often contorted in odd positions which are prone to enabling said flatulence.

Anyway, I've been good about stretching so my muscles aren't unusable the following days after working out. I still feel the burn and can tell that parts of me I didn't realize had a function are being worked. I feel refreshed and rested in the morning and am ready to hit the day running! Well, not running, but with enthusiastic resolve!

Plump girl problem #10:

Purchasing new pants when your

seemingly perfectly good pants

have holes in the upper thigh area

due to thigh rubbage.

Mistake and a flop

I made the mistake of not weighing myself on my scale last weekend; I relied on the number at the doctor's office when I was weighed for my annual. Turns out, my scale and doc's scale are not the same. Duh. So, if I assume the scales are the same, I lose 13.5 pounds last week. I know that's not true so I'm guesstimating a weight loss of about four pounds. It will be more accurate next week since I'll be using my scale again. Sometimes, I just don't think things all the way through.

One of the things I'm looking foward to as a side effect of losing weight is my back feeling better. Because I carry a lot of my plumpness around my midsection and heiney, my back is strained more than it should be. Working out this week more than I have in a very long time felt great afterward but when I went to the grocery store on Saturday, my back was not happy. My husband says that's normal and good but I tell you what, it sure didn't feel good. We'll see how it goes this week and if it continues to worsen, I'll "Dr. Google" it and see what's up.


Now, let's move on to the fun part: the food!

Saturday night, as I stated in an earlier post, I made pizzas for my Dad and husband. I used a Boboli crust for both: one white and one whole wheat. I made the pizza sauce from scratch (canned tomato sauce, olive oil, onion and garlic powders and dried basil) which tasted wonderful!

On one pizza, since I was feeding two hungry men, I just included meats: 93% lean ground beef, very thin sliced deli ham and turkey pepperoni. Sprinkle with some part skim motzarella and the guys were happy!  Using the whole wheat crust (I love the zing of whole wheat) I made a traditional Margherita pizza. Slathered with the home made sauce, it was topped with fresh motzarella and basil.

Did you know that this pizza is named after a queen? Queen Margherita of Italy was served this pizza and she loved it because the colors reminded her of the Italian flag. Ciao Bella! 

These little balls of joy (not like that!) are from a recipe I found on Pinterest as I was browsing the "Health and Fitness" boards. Yes, I was on the health and fitness boards. They energy balls (there is just no way to for this not to sound naughty) are pretty good. I added a couple of tablespoons of mini chocolate chips just to get a little chocolatey goodness in there.

http://www.fitsugar.com/Recipe--Bake-Peanut-Butter-Balls-7000880

 

 

The soup I made for dinner was somewhat of a flop. It was okay but not what I was expecting.

 

The veggies sunk to the bottom, I used frozen ravioli instead of tortellini due to cost and the soup there wasn't really any flavor. I'd suggest including some basil and oregeno and/or crushed red pepper flakes. Also, this recipe makes a ton of soup; I should have cut it in half especially since I didn't know how it would taste.

 

 

 

I ate not even half of what was in the bowl. This is probably not a recipe I would make again.

 

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/12/spinach-tortellini-en-brodo.html

 

 

Plump girl problem #7:

Your belly, which is like a bowlful of jelly

(and candy and pizza and cookies),

gets in the way of picking items off the ground.

Early morning Jenn

I realize I am not the only one who rises early to either go to the gym (which for me, of course, is new) or to work. Many, many awake much earlier than I to go to the place where fat goes to die and I've always thought those people were bananas (speaking of bananas...totally forgot to eat one this morning before heading to the gym)!

I've confirmed those people are, in fact, crazy! This determination is based solely on the evidence I've aquirred during the two mornings of going to the gym this week at 5 AM; clearly, I know what I'm talking about!

The evidence:
#1. It's still dark outside (although it's dark when I go to work in the morning as well)
#2. The door creaks when I leave and I worry that will annoy my sleeping neighbors.
#3. There are more crazy people at the gym early in the morning than I anticipated. I'm not alone!
#4. My eyes still have bags early in the morning.
#5. Even the dog looks at me in a funny way when I'm up early.
#6. The only thing to watch on the televisions is news and since this is an election year, I'm tired of the news.


It's really not so bad, though.

No, really, it's not so bad. Once I'm up, I'm up. Most days, I'm quite awake and perky in the morning when I start to work at 6 AM. This week has been a bit difficult because it's new and I didn't sleep well either night on our camping trip last weekend and it's caught up with me. We've all been there and it's certainly nothing I can't deal with. After all, today is "Friday-eve" which means Saturday is right around the corner and that means I can sleep in a bit!

Looking at the above picture, I'd like to point out the odd rolls on my neck which, to my dismay, I've never noticed before now. Blech. Blech. Blech. It's probably just the angle of the camera, right? Couldn't have anything to do with my extra plump cell buddies clinging to my body, right? If "rolly polly neck" isn't a reason to lose weight, I'm not sure what is.

Maybe pointing out these plump flaws isn't the best idea but in the interest of being totally honest through this blog, I need to convey how I'm feeling. How I feel about those unsightly rolls is: Blech!!


Monday night for dinner I made a yummy pasta dish called "Cacio de pepe". Thank you, Giada! Love her!

The recipe:
8 oz of whole wheat pasta (I used Rigatoni because that's what I happened to have in the cupboard)
1 cup pasta water, reserved
2 tsp cracked tri-color pepper
2 oz freshly grated Parmesano-Regiano cheese
4 oz pancetta, diced
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes (not in oil), diced

Cook pasta as directed, be sure to generously salt the water, drain but reserve 1 - 1 1/2 cups pasta water.
Roast cracked pepper in a skillet on medium heat (you could roast the peppercorns whole then crack or crack then roast)
Cook pancetta in a skillet until crisp

Transfer drained pasta to a skillet and add in 1/2 cup pasta water and half of the Parmagiano-Regiano cheese. Stir pasta, water and cheese creating a sauce. Add 1/2 to 1 more cup of pasta water and remaining cheese and cook until desired consistency.

Toss in pepper, sun dried tomatoes and pancetta. Serve and enjoy!! 



I'll be making home made, whole wheat crust pizza this weekend for my dad and husband! I'll be sure to take pictures!

 

Plump girl problem #3

Trying not to appear completely awkward while

painting your toenails

(which are hard to reach!)

Yumtastic dinner, plump girl!

First off, let me tell you that I have already been to the gym today! Early, too! People, I work at 6:00 AM and I was at the gym by 5:20 this morning.To avoid any grouchy side effects, I was sure to go to bed earlier than usual but there seems to be something inherently wrong with getting up early to sweat. In my opinion, sweat should only happen after 2:00 PM.

I decided I probably should eat a little something before going so I slowly nibbled on a medium banana. I don't know about you, but I am not big into eating anything that early in the morning, especially after I'd just brushed my pearly whites. I was on the treadmill only about 25 minutes but I am planning on going back to the gym (which should known as "the place where fat goes to die") after work this afternoon.

Now, I do not like working out inside or even walking outside...walking in general is not my idea of a rockin' good time. Typically, when I'm at the gym in the afternoon, I watch Paula Dean on the television while I'm working out. While I'm doing this, I think to myself, "Self, is it contradictory to watch Paula Dean while on the treadmill? Will I actually gain weight?" Then I look around at my fellow exercisers and realize I'm not the only one watching the southern belle cook up delicious-looking, calorie-laden meals. Butter.


After a two-night camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, I was feeling tired but excited to make a good dinner for my husband and myself. For Sunday's dinner, I made  grilled flank steak and a farro salad. Apparently, farro is somewhat of a specialty item so I turned it into a barley salad as suggested in the recipe. The recipe site listed below was shared with me by a work friend who, hopefully will be my yoga buddy in the next few weeks. This site seems to have a huge array of meal, snack, and dessert, etc. recipes all on the lighter side.

Farro salad recipe:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/05/farro-with-feta-cucumbers-and-sun-dried.html

This salad has a distinctly Greek flare to it which is good because my husband and I enjoy Greek food. He taste tested it right out of the pan and said "Wow, that is SO good!" Now, ladies, I'm sure you can relate: typically I get a "yeah, good" out of my husband, if I'm lucky, when he tries my cooking. He's a dude and dudes eat anything and usually enjoy food put in front of them. So, to get that response, not only at the beginning of the meal, but throughout AND at the end, was a delight to my cooking ego!

I bought a fairly large flank steak at the store and when I got home I cut it in half and put one half in the freezer for a later meal. I marinated the flank steak in olive oil, low sodium soy sauce, crushed garlic and seasoned with salt and pepper. I'm not much of a steak eater but this steak was very good. It was tender and I only ate a few ounces so I didn't feel full but was certainly satisfied.


I also made a "peach sauce" in the crock pot yesterday. Basically, the idea was to go for an applesauce type consistency but I didn't think things all the way through (shocker). Peaches are much juicier and stinger, duh, than apples. The peach sauce, while extremely tasty and will be consumed with no problem, turned out a bit runnier than I had anticipated.

 I pitted and sliced about 7 very large peaches; I left the skins on. Threw those in the slow cooker along with one cup of water (I shouldn't have used more than 1/2 a cup, if that), one tablespoon of light brown sugar, a bunch of freshly ground nutmeg and one cinnamon stick. I did end up putting in about a tablespoon of cornstarch just to thicken it up a bit. Who doesn't love eating peaches this time of year because they're so sweet and juicy but I also enjoy finding new ways to incorporate fruit into my diet.

 

Plump Girl problem #2:

Not being able to see your toes

and more importantly, your cute shoes!

 

.

Say "hello" to your plump friend

I'm generally a happy, peppy person; people notice my happiness and often tell me. My outward happiness, for the most part, reflects inward happiness (although, I do suffer from depression which I realize is a contradiction) except when I look in the mirror. Which is why, I hardly look in the mirror! Avoidance, I've concluded, over the years, is the best policy when it comes to my plumptasticness.

Yesterday, I realized that I can't really be much of a lady when wearing a skirt due to the svelte nature of my thighs. In other words, I'm quite self-conscious when I wear a skirt because I don't want anyone to see my skivvies, even if they are totally cute! Yet, I frequently don skirts because they're comfy and plump people love comfy. When you're plump and dressed in jeans, sitting without your knees together is okay and you don't have to worry about the aforementioned issue.

That's me. Jenn, Snappy, Sweet Pea (as my husband occasionally calls me), Nifer and Jenny (addresses only my family are permitted to use), dork. I've just realized how little my head looks; I'm unsure if that's because of the of generously porportioned nature of the rest of my body is or the angle of the photo. Doesn't matter really...you get the gist of what I'm going for here why the politician style "thumbs up" signal.

 

 

Well, there you have it, folks. The plump girl at her plumpiest.

 

Coming soon, menu creation for next week!

 

Plump girl problem #5:

Realizing your shirts might fit better and be longer if

you didn't have such bodacious ta-tas!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There once was a plump girl...

According to the Free Dictionary online, plump means "well rounded and in full form, chubby." That's me. I'm probably past what most would consider to be "chubby" but it's a less stinging term than "fat". Chubby could still mean cute, right? Right. We'll go with that.

I am not going to reveal my true weight at this point because, well, frankly, I'm embarrassed. There will be friends and family reading this blog (hopefully) and I'm not willing to expose myself by revealing my "number" right off the bat. From here until I decide to change my mind, I'll call my weight "the mystery digit". Someday, if and hopefully when I drop my chubby pals which have so painfully refused to get out of my body, I'll reveal the true digit of the mystery digit.

A little about myself: I am almost 38 years wise and I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my husband of five years, our two frisky felines and one rambunctious mutt-hound. I have been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2000. I enjoy camping, reading, writing, oh...and eating but most importantly, I LOVE Jesus! Don't run screaming; I won't evangelize through this blog. Now that I've sufficiently sold myself in a personal ad for you, we'll move on to the important stuff!

I've been chubby, super-chubby, if you will, nearly my entire adult life. I'm not unique in needing to shed some pounds from my svelte thighs and bouncy buttocks, but I'm hopeful this blog will be unique.

I'd like to be able not only to journal for my own needs but to share any adventures, ordeals and laughs or emotions with others! I will also be posting pictures of myself (again, please don't run screaming) and of meals which may or may not be delightful. I also encourage anyone to post respectful comments. Try to be nice because a lot of us plump girls are sensitive and have low self esteem as it is without someone being mean.

Please share this blog with your friends and family and maybe we will all be able to have an adventure together!

The escapades shall commence Sunday September, 16, 2012. At that time, I'll kick start some down-home diet and exercise! I'll hit the gym (which lucky for me, is literally right next to my workplace), I'll plan meals with my husband and I'll launch the biggest effort of my life to put my plumptastic self finally to rest!

Coming soon...a current picture of me...the plump girl!