Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Hi, I'm Earth. Have we met?

Well, folks, I have some good news and some not-so-good news.

The good news is that I’m officially in the 140s!!!

The not-so-good news is that, as of last night’s weigh-in, I’m still 0.6 pounds from my next milestone and 0.8 pounds from my WW goal.

I was mildly disappointed, but whatever. I’ve lost more than 69 pounds for cryin’ out loud! I weighed this much when I was at my fittest in high school. I didn’t really weigh myself back then, so I don’t even remember the last time I was in the 140s. I’m loving it so far!!!!!!!!! I’m soooooo skinny! Haha OK not really, but I feel great :)

I do know that I weighed between 150 and 155 when I entered college a little more than six years ago … and I weigh less than that now. Gotta say, that’s pretty darn cool.

Here’s a picture of me the summer
after freshman year of college
(about 5½ years ago).


And here’s a picture of me from earlier this month.


Aside from the differences in hair color and crazy tan, I don’t think my face looks too different. And that’s a good thing! As I got chunkier and chunkier, I definitely noticed my increasingly plumper face. I’m finally back to normal Amanda face! YYYYAAAYYYY!!!!

I really should have been able to reach my goal last night, though. SHOULD have been able to. But I wasn’t working as hard as I should have been. I didn’t eat that well or work out at all during the week. Did I really think that tracking what I ate and working out ONLY on Saturday and Sunday would undo my lackadaisical week?? Please. I was obviously living in Fantasyland.

I’m back in the real world now and I’m ready for a superb week. The goals I made for myself yesterday are not difficult, and I’m actually looking forward to a regular workout schedule, a nighttime routine and daily food/drink tracking. Holllaaaaaaaaaaaa. Let’s do this.

Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I haven’t posted my Spicy Sweet Potato Chips recipe yet. I made them for Thanksgiving … and now it’s time for sharing.

Spicy Sweet Potato Chips

2 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed well
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
½ tsp salt

Directions: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the sweet potatoes into rounds as thin as you can get them. Place the sweet potatoes in a bowl and add oil, pepper flakes and salt. Toss until the potatoes are well coated. Spread the rounds on a baking sheet (no overlapping) and bake until they are browned, crispy chips, about 20 minutes.

I used beige sweet potatoes when I made these for Thanksgiving, and, unlike my Brussels sprouts, they were a hit with everyone! Next time I make them, however, I’m going to change a lot of things.

First, I’ll use FOUR large sweet potatoes because there were just not enough noms to go around. Maybe I’ll try orange sweet potatoes next time, just for funsies.

Second, although I’ll have twice as many potatoes, I’ll still use ¼ cup of oil. There was just too much oil on these babies last time, which makes getting crispy chips very difficult. I’ll also try drying the potato slices thoroughly with paper towel before tossing with the other stuff.

Third, I’ll add more red pepper flakes and probably more salt. The sweet, spicy, and salty make a major party on your tongue.

Last, I’ll bake the chips for 20 minutes on one side, flip them all, and bake for another 20 minutes. I’ve found that it’s pretty difficult to bake sweet potatoes and get them crispy. And you should take my experienced word for it, considering I’ve made sweet potato fries once and sweet potato chips once ;)

Peace to you all, my lovelies!

PS This is my 50th post. Neat :)

19 comments:

  1. Congratulations!

    I haven't been 140 since high school either. That must feel awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great job! And you'll lose the last few ounces in no time! :) And you have great goals to keep healty habits for the rest of your life!

    I'll have to make some sweet potato chips soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yummy on the chips! I'll be making those soon! :) You look fantastic! You have done so well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats! What a huge accomplishment, kudos on not losing your momentum just because you didn’t accomplish everything this week. Thanks for the recipe, def going to try those. They look yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So many people are looking at you and just WISHING they could be in the 140's - I know your proud of what you've accomplished and hope you aren't being too hard on yourself (I really don't think you are). Look at how far you've come! I am so excited for you!

    And, I am so excited for me cuz those sweet potato chips look amazingly delish!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so happy for you! You look FANTASTIC and you are so close to your goals! I'm rooting for you...

    I haven't been in the 140s since probably my sophomore year in high school. I'm about 3 lbs away, but geez these are the hardest 3 lbs ever.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats Amanda! You freakin rock! You should be proud of yourself-you look just as hot if not hotter than you did more than 5 years ago. That is something to feel good about!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on being in the 140s! I love the chip recipe - I'm going to have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You look so beautiful, happy, and healthy in those pictures! Congratulations on your accomplishments :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. CONGRATS!!!!
    now git to that 51st post please :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Look at you, gorgeous! I'm glad you are feeling as beautiful as we've always known you are.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Woo Hoo! Congrats!! :-) You look absolutely stunning in your picture and thanks for the recipe! Can't wait to try it :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wootwootwoot on the 140s!!

    The chips look yummy too...might have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. First, congratulations.

    Second, I love sweat potatoes and those chips look delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  15. i found your blog yesterday and could not stop reading.you are a true gem.i am happy for your success and you have inspired me in my journey

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great job, you're looking wonderful! Thanks for sharing the recipe too, it looks delicious and easy to do!
    Have a wonderful Christmas =)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just found this blog and I am so inspired by your success. I maintain a weight loss journal myself but I haven't been that successful. Anyway, I will be following your blog from now on, along with the other priorfatgirls'.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete