Marnin’ 🙂 Can y’all believe it’s Thursday already? I think this week has flown by more than most! I’m so excited to share this simple recipe for pan fried tilapia fillets, but first let’s look at the rest of the day’s eats 🙂
Yesterday morning I returned to my newest obsession, oatmeal pancakes:
I know, I know…you’re probably in love 🙂 I didn’t have any mashed banana to layer between the pancakes though, so naturally (as I was digging around through the fridge for a suitable replacement) I used the leftover cream cheese icing from my cupcakes last week! Talk about decadent…holy WOW! I only used 1/2 a tablespoon, but even then I felt that it was almost too sweet. Keyword: almost. I had another fabulous Nate latte creation at work:
And lunch was similar to yesterday, but I used less meat and more peppers and carrots mixed with homemade bbq sauce:
With a bun on the side. I only at half of the bun though, because that’s when I realized it was molding…GROSS!
I’m happy to report that my walk yesterday went REALLY well! I was even able to go a little faster and there was zero pain in my knee 🙂 I have my fingers crossed that it’s getting better and better, slowly but surely, and that I will be up hiking in no time 🙂 Dinner was a little fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-esque last night; we had Simple Pan-Fried Tilapia, Roasted Broccoli, and Toasted Ravioli, all served with some marinara on the side:
The ravioli are super easy…just take some frozen stuffed ravioli, cook according to package directions, then remove from water. Top with a little parmesan on each one, then broil for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and toasty 🙂
Super simple roasted broccoli:
Pan Fried Tilapia Fillets
- 2 tilapia filets
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 tsp oil
In one bowl put the breadcrumbs, then in the second put the flour, and in the third put the egg. Towel dry the tilapia with a paper towel. Coat each filet with flour, then egg, then flour, then egg, then the breadcrumbs. Repeat for all filets. In a medium pan over medium-low heat, heat the tsp of oil. Swirl it around the pan. Add the coated filets and cook until done in the center, about 5 minutes on each side. Serve hot! 
I have to admit to you guys…I’ve been feeling a little down this week. I haven’t been working out nearly as much (read: I’m not taking the time to workout the way I want to) and that fact has been taking it’s toll on me. I also haven’t been eating smaller portions or healthier foods like I should to counterbalance the lack of exercise. I’m not talking about restricting, but I do have to be honest with myself: if I’m not working out as hard, my body doesn’t need as much food to fuel it. I’ve basically been struggling with how to tell myself “no” and then actually LISTENING when I do say no. I know that this will pass, and just like I mentioned in yesterday’s Joyful Kitchen post, one or two meals aren’t going to cause me to get fat. I just have some weight loss goals that I would like to achieve by September and November, and the lifestyle I’ve been leading this past week is NOT conducive to reaching those.
How do you “get back on track” again when you stray into eating a little more unhealthy stuff more consistently? Also, how do you fit exercise into your day? I struggle with not having a gym with a set time to go workout, so I’m stuck with just fitting those workouts in where I can. That works most of the time, but I’m definitely a planner and like to know what to expect more often than not!
Thank you so much for your honesty. I can’t tell you enough how great it is to hear someone speak so openly about their issues. Especially if I have dealt with them one time or another. I think a lot times when we set up specific goals such as be a certain weight by this month or the other, it sometimes can hurt us more than help. While goal setting is a good thing, associating being a certain weight by a certain day can mess with our heads. It makes us feel that because we are on a time schedule, there is no room for mistakes. And since we’re human and we do make mistakes, when we have those off days, it feels like an emotional break down and it seems as if we can’t get back on the wagon. Rather than a weight goal, I’ve learned to say: I plan to exercise x amount of hours a week and try to eat healthy 5-6 days a week. And I include no ending month. That way this goal becomes a habit rather than a means to an end. It is so much easier to keep up with, rather then stepping on that scale once a week only to be disappointed that it hasn’t gone down enough. You are an amazing person and I know that you can find your happy place with your body.
Yum! Those pancakes look delish. I wish I had more time in the mornings… Oh, and if you like spicy, you should also try my Blackened Tilapia recipe – so good! xxSAS
At first I thought that was grilled cheese but then I realized it was a beautiful oatmeal pancake!! I need to get some cream cheese icing stat. And I try to fit in exercise in small ways if I don’t have time for a normal workout. Even walking up flights of stairs or doing some crunches helps!
Sometimes getting back in the saddle is easier than other times… pretty obv, but had to say that. When I feel the best about the transition I just pick up where I left off. I take the attitude of ‘can’t change vacay eating, but I can change what I’m eating now’. The first day or two may be hard, but after that, my healthy habbits return easily.
I usually work out at lunch time with my husband. I love that we both work at home.
Getting back on the wagon is so much harder than falling off it! I tell myself that yesterday was the last day I was going to be off my plan. Once I make it through one day, it’s much easier to keep going and eventually, it becomes hard to actually fall off the wagon!
Since starting my full-time job, I’ve been waking up rather early every morning to fit in my workout. It isn’t easy, but I just know that if I put it off until the afternoon I won’t end up doing it – I’ll be too tired, or something else will come up, etc. etc.
Also, when I’m feeling “off,” I tell myself to just have one good day. One day where I treat my body right. And after just one day, I feel so much better – so refreshed – that it somehow leads to a second day, and then a third…
Cream cheese icing sounds incredible… It would be too dangerous for me too have that around… I might just eat it with a spoon!
As far as back on track… I’m asking around today to see how people get back to track too… I’ve been “blah” in the motivation department, so if you figure out the secret… please share! 🙂
I always struggled with days after spluring because I have such sweet teeth. If I eat it, I am immediately craving it!
As for workouts – MORNING! I know I say it all the time, but it is so true. There are always excuses for me in the evening. Waking up an hour earlier just to get it down is so worth it to me!
I run 2-3x a week during my lunch hour. That’s freed up a lot of my evenings. I swim 2x a week and try to fit in a weight lifting day here and there.
I think finding time to fit in exercise is hardest for me when I don’t have a gym membership. I find it really easy to skip a lot of days if I have to workout at home. I have to just set aside time and force myself to do it sometimes!
I’m happy your knee is holding up! I use workout DVDs and my treadmill…I’d never workout without them. Don’t worry too much about your diet right now…it will all even out in the end 🙂
for me, working out first thing in the morning is the best b/c i get it out of the way & by the time i am awake, my workout is over!
sometimes your body wants or needs a break though & that’s 100 % okay.
For me it’s all about the get up and go. If I don’t head out the door with my running shoes within 20 minutes of me waking up, it just isn’t going to happen. I get everything ready the night before so I have no excuses! Even on days I’m really not feeling it, I tell myself to go for 10 minutes, and if it still sucks, I can turn around. I think I have only turned around once! Usually once I’m in the groove things just start clicking
yum those pancakes look delicious. what recipe are you using?
i also have been lacking total motivation this week to get out and run. i haven’t run in almost a week 🙁
To get back on track after a week of heavier eating, I like to refocus myself with a set of mini-goals for the week (i.e. try to eat more slowly, have only one dessert a day) and eat with more awareness and mindfulness. I try to forgive myself for whatever eating “errors” i’ve made and move on. No sense in beating myself up over it. I also like to include more GMs and salads in my diet. Meals based around vegetables always inspire me to eat healthier throughout the rest of the day, and they make me feel great too!
When it comes to exercise…I think what is most important is actually finding something you truly enjoy!! Exercise should be something you look forward to and want to do. By forcing yourself to do an activity that you don’t truly you just setting yourself up for failure or burnout.
So much to say, dear Heather.
When I’m not making the choices that are in line with my long term goals, I look at that a sign that something deeper is wrong. I’ll quote Debbie Ford here “When I feel bad about myself, I do things that are bad for me.” and I really believe that it is as simple as that. Why aren’t you doing the things you know are in your best interest.
I also wanted to note that exercise and weight loss do not go hand in hand. If you aren’t burning extra calories then your body won’t ask for extra calories so as long as you are paying attention and honoring your hunger signals, you won’t gain weight by *just* not exercising. Yes, exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle but if you think of exercise outside of food, then, how do you feel about it. Which exercise brings you joy, calorie burn aside?
What great words of wisdom–something we could all use!
I often find myself struggling to get back on track more with eating than with exercise. I fit in exercise by getting up between 4 and 415am. I do DVD’s at home and at night if I am able to I go to kickboxing or bootcamp classes. I find that if I don’t exercise before work often things come up later and I am not able to fit it in. Also helps to schedule workouts on my calendar. Good luck to you!
By the way, your pancakes look yummy!