Eating Out Healthy: Cheddars’ Grilled Chicken and Steamed Veggies

When my husband and I need to discuss anything, our best bet is to leave the house and for a restaurant. The reason – because there’s no outside distractions, no kids interrupting, no computers or TVs to compete for our attention. We fall kind of in a rut, ordering the same things at the same restaurants. But given we are on a new meal plan, and are trying to stay true to the weight loss theory behind the meal plan, we’re working on eating out healthy. So we decided to try a new place.

A Cheddars Casual Cafe opened recently near us and it’s always busy when we drive by, so we decided to give it a try last week. It was a no carb day in our rotation of high carb-low carb- no carb days (according to our meal plan), so I was trying hard to find something healthy on the menu that was heavy on the vegetables and lean grilled meats and low on the carbs, without being a salad. I really didn’t want another salad.

At first glance the vegetable plate sounded good, but the buttery croissant is not a healthy choice, and looking at the sides…not many that really count as healthy or that I could eat on a no carb day.

So what I found that looked really good was the grilled chicken with steamed veggies. But one problem: it’s on the children’s menu. I looked all over the menu to find another version of it, and couldn’t find an exact match.

So when the waitress came, I said “I know I’m not a child, but this is really what I want” and she let me get it! (I also ordered a cup of chicken tortilla soup.) And it was perfect. Just the right serving side for me and I was happy with the flavor of the seasonings. My husband thought I was rather nuts for ordering from the kids menu, but hey – it was healthy and what I wanted.

I did leave the rice alone, again, because I’m trying to honor this carb rotation meal plan. But the pile of steamed broccoli (yum!) and the chicken was yummy  and worth getting again. I ate some of the chicken and broth from the cup of soup that I ordered, but didn’t really want it after eating the chicken.

But I will admit – I did sabotage myself – by eating some of my husband’s onion rings. Deep fried vegetables, while good are NOT a healthy choice. (yes I’m admonishing myself).

Anyway, there  are several healthy choices on Cheddar’s menu (but not on the appetizer menu!). Cheddars does not provide nutritional information for their menus and their menus apparently vary a little between locations. So as usual, the same rules apply to eating out healthy at Cheddars as anywhere else – avoid the fried, sauced, battered, breaded, and “loaded”. Embraced the Grilled chicken, fish, steak, and steamed veggies.

Next time I think I’ll try the lemon pepper chicken. (and my camera!)

Fat Loss Quickie Home Office Workout – Days 22-25

Well, it’s time again for me to catch you up on how I’ve been doing on my January goal to do the 30 Day Fat Loss Quickie program. And yes, I know it’s not January any more.

Originally I had planned it out so I would have been done by January 31st. But I took a few days off, reset myself and was going to be done by February 3rd…. Well again I took a couple more days off, so now I’m looking at being done by February 7th.

I’m going with the philosophy that when I fall down, it’s just better to dust myself off and keep going. Draw a new line in the sand, and just keep working towards the goal.

I take the inspiration from my youngest son, who didn’t learn to count to 10 until he was 7 years old. It doesn’t matter that it took that long for him to learn to count to 10, what matters is that he learned it – that he did it. (BTW – he turns 8 in a week, and he not only can count to 10, he can count to 100, and add any number from 1 to 5 digits! – it just took him a while to get to 10, and then months to get to 20, and then from there…it was all down hill for him) 

So, that’s my strategy. I’m going to fall down (have obviously already), but I’m determined to see this through. It’s been a four year journey so far, just to get healthy on the inside, so a few days here and there are minor setbacks in the grander scheme of things.

Oh yeah, I was supposed to tell you about Fat Loss Quickie progress… Sorry…minor rant.

So anyway, Day 22 of the Fat Loss Quickie was the start of my 4th week on the program. Again with those pushups, that I’m still modifiying and expect will be for a while yet. But some day I’ll get to full pushups. 

Amazingly the motivational message for Day 22 was a 30 minute audio with Jim Labadie on…aiming for the 90% rule – if you are doing 9 items out of 10, that’s still success. The emphasis was on forgiving yourself and moving on… Oh right…that still goes with my rant

Day 23 was about back and abs, which by the way are feeling a lot stronger and definitely leaner.

Cardio, I had to modify because I don’t have space to jump rope, so I do marching in place. The mountain climbers always get me – it’s a good thing we only do them for 30 seconds at a time.

The audio today was a quick 2 minute motivational thought from Scott, which I listened to while sitting on my exercise ball, drinking down water after that cardio workout.

Day 24 was about abs and legs. My 6 yo daughter and my husband watched part of the workout (and me doing it).  During the Jack-knife section, My husband (who does not exercise) commented to my daughter, “I’m watching this man do this really hard exercise – and look…your mom can do it without any problem!”  

Yep, proof that this works. I can now do the jackknife easily and without falling off the ball

For cardio, it’s jumping jacks, which I modify and do side steps with jumping jack arm motions, though my 7 yo son loves this section because jumping jacks are his FAVORITE exercise.

The motivational piece today is a clip from Facing the Giants (which I’ve included below for you) on doing your very best.  I encourage you to watch it through.  And of course there’s an audio from Scott.

I love having these motivational peices included. Not only is Scott right there doing the exercises with you on the video, but having the motivational audio and videos make a difference, keeping the encouragement and mindset up, which is good especially after a challenging set or a discouraging day.

I took a few days off from here, and started back up again with day 25, which I’ll share with you in another post. For now, I’ll just leave you with the Facing the Giants clip.

You and I – we’ll reach our goal. We may fall down, stutter, and stop, and suffer setbacks…but we’ll get there. Just hang in there with me!

…Shannon

Kudos to Angie for Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone!

Angie from Losingitandlovingit.com  is my hero! Seriously, she is so brave.  This last weekend, she faced her fears and did her first online video – with Scott Tousignant of Fat Loss Quickie no less, so it won’t just lay in obsurity somewhere online, it’s being viewed!

A few weeks ago, I was so impressed with Tishia posting her weekly updates online in video format, and momentarily considered it, but being someone who has for years deleted nearly every picture taken of me, I just wasn’t there yet.

And Angie was the same – she was totally uncomfortable for being that visible on video, but the woman has HUGE goals this year (she’s going to run a half marathon in December) and she totally overcame the fear to do this video interview with Scott. I’m so proud of her! (and inspired!)

If you can please head over to the video and give her a comment of encouragement. It took a ton of courage to do this… and she did a fabulous job.

Can’t wait to see more video from her this year (and to virtually cheer her on her journey to train for the marathon!).

Losing 100+ pounds – Weekly Update – Week 13

Have I mentioned that I don’t like my scale? Seriously…I have two and they both go take flying leaps…

Here I am stronger, definitely having looser clothing, and yet, my scale is not cooperating. In fact, again…up 2 pounds from last week’s middle number (or the same as last week’s low number, depending on how you look at it.)

UGH.

But I do have to admit to Sabatoge.

Seriously I have no idea what it is, but I keep sabatoging myself after a good week to 10 days, ugh.

Don’t know what to say – other than there’s no way this is over.

Sometimes I just think it’s better if I don’t deal with the scale, and just keep going with the exercise plan and the meal plan… at least I feel healthier and fitter, even if that blasted scale doesn’t agree.

Fat Loss Quickie Home Office Workout – Days 17-21

As I mentioned in my Fat Loss Quickie Day 11-16 post, I’m so far behind in my updates that I’m just trying to catch you all up on how I’ve been doing against my goal to complete the 30 day Fat Loss Quickie program during the month of January.

As I write this I’m on day 22. I haven’t quit, and the exercises are getting a lot easier for me to do (and live with afterwards).  In fact I really need to get a heavier set of hand weights, because these 5 pound weights are too light now for a few of the exercises.

But let me catch you up on this last week or so.

Day 17 – My notes say I did the work out, and that it was the Wednesday workout, and I vaguely remember doing it, but apparently I didn’t take very good notes, because I can’t remember anything else about it. Oh dear.

However, I do remember the motivational audio – it was on celebrating success – and that was  a good theme for me, considering how poorly I was feeling and how frustrated I was with my lack of progress.

After day 17, I wasn’t feeling well, so I took a couple days off. Not great. But necessary.  I did however take a long walk with the kids on one of those off days, and that helped get my mood back to where it should be.

Originally I had scheduled this to finish up right at the end of January, but having lost 3 days or so, it looks like I won’t be done with the full 30 days until February 3rd. But that’s okay, because I’m back on track again.

Day 18 – I started up again with Day 18 (a Thursday workout according to the program) and got into the routine again.  It felt good to get back to the program after a few days off and my muscles were happy too.

The motivation piece of day 18 was another change series video and a motivational audio. I’ve found that watching these right after the cardio, while sitting on the exercise ball and stretching a bit, is a really productive way to cool down after the workout. (exercise your mind while you cool down your body, type thing)

The Next Day – well…I skipped another workout day, but did exercise. It was a Saturday, and it was so full of stuff, I just didn’t figure out how to get the workout in. So instead I suggested to my 10 yo son that for his special time we go do something – like play tennis or go to the batting cages. 

He chose the batting cages, and we spent 45 minutes playing there – alternating pitching and hitting. I walked away with a bruised leg (from where he pegged me with a fast ball), and he walked away laughing because we had a lot of fun – and I’m a TERRIBLE pitcher!

My son tried to take a picture of me to show you all, but they turned out too blurry from his laughing and shaking the camera. So… sorry…no proof. Maybe next time. He had a blast and now wants to do it again next month when it’s his turn for Saturday special time.

Day 19 – Sunday I got back on track again, doing Day 19, which was the “Friday” workout in the series. Again back to those cardio squats, and while my legs were wobbly afterwards, I am no longer in danger of falling down the stairs afterwards anymore (yeah!).

The motivational audio today was from Scott talking about time management. And he threw in a cool little bonus – a download of a time management software tool he uses. I’ll have to check that out another time.

Day 20 – Another down day according to the program, and I took it as one, just to get back on track with the program itself. As with the other weeks, even though it’s an exercise down day, Scott still provides motivational materials on these days. And today’s was a Change Series video, and a motivational audio, which Scott shared a personal story about hiking with his son.

Day 21 – Another down day, but today a friend called and we decided to walk with the kids up to the neighborhood park and hang out there for a while. So got in a good walk both ways, and picked up my first sunburn of the season (oh the glories of having fair skin!).  But it was a good break in the day and we all had a good time combing fresh air, exericise, and friendship on a beautiful day.

And again, even though it was a down day, the Fat Loss Quickie program still included a motivational audio from Scott. This time it was about expectations. Powerful stuff.

So that’s it. You are all caught up now as to what I’ve been doing workout wise.  I still need to share with you the other major change that we’ve made here – implementing the meal plan that comes with the Fat Loss Quickie program. We’re now a week into that, and I’ll share more about what that is about and how it’s working for us a little later.

And for now, I am three weeks into the 30 day Fat Loss Quickie program, starting my fourth week today. And am really glad I made the decision to do this program, and stick with it, even when I was ready to quit.

As always, I truly appreciate you and your support. Thanks so much!

…Shannon