Day 12 Summary

Total Steps For Day: 12,639     (work out + 2-walks)
Total Calories:    1203
Weight Loss: -.3 Since Monday -4.2lbs total for 12 days (body fat -.3)

I'm just a couple of days away from completing my first 2 weeks on Nutrisystem.  I dropped back down to where I was before I started this next phase.  As I mentioned my body always takes time to adjust.  I was hoping to have lost 5lbs by the time I hit the 2 week mark but that may just be too optimistic.  I'd probably really have to kick up my exercise although it takes at least 2 hours of my day now.  I know, realistically that I won't be able to sustain doing more than that, time-wise. So if I'm not willing to adjust my exercise time, I'll just have to adjust my attitude about my weight loss speed.  I can do that!

Diet Day 12 Breakfast

I had a couple of repeats today.  I prepared the Nutrisystem Turkey Sausage and Egg Muffin and my extra protein (Powerfuel) was Fage "Total 0" nonfat yogurt.  I should have had a 1 cup serving but I opted for 1/4 cup.  I did this because some of my foods I plan for today are higher calorie and I don't like eating too much before the work out. 

My work out was hard as usually but I'm finally seeing some progress.  My arms are getting stronger.  This has has been a long haul for me, strength-wise.

I realize this does not look very inspiring.  If I had some tomatoes ripe in the garden I'd have added sliced tomatoes both for nutrition and some color.  This was fine for today.  You can see more pics and close ups of the Turkey Bacon and Egg Muffin here on Nutrisystem Day 8. 

Day 8 Morning Snack

Diet Day 12 Lunch

I'm finally trying the Nutrisystem Hamburger.  I served it with lettuce, tomato, red onion and mustard and a side of cucumber wedges.  This was super filling.  This is what I'm noticing -- these portions are a half, maybe less of my standard portion yet I feel complete full.  Never "overfull" just "I've- had enough to eat" full.  

I prepared the burger in my typical microwave - finish - in - convection oven fashion.  The bread is still too chewy but it keeps my teeth in shape.  The meat is a little dry but I really would not expect much more from any frozen meal. The flavor of the meat was fine.  Overall, I'd definitely order this again for ease of prep, flavor and "fillingness" which I know is not a real word.

In researching commercially prepared small burger rolls, I read that Trader Joe's sells something.  I would think those would not be imported from far, but I guess, who knows.  I'll try to get out to T.J.'s and report back.

Here is the burger still frozen.  For the sake of size perspective the burger is sitting on a small salad plate.

This is after the burger was heated.  You can see the bread is moist and the burger looks pretty good.

Here is the burger with a few condiments on the side, tomato and red onion and mustard on the burger.

Here is the hamburger topped with lettuce, onion, tomato and mustard with a side of cucumbers.  I also ate the rest of the tomato.  This is only Early Girl tomato #2 so far this year's "later than late" vegetable garden.

Small but tasty and filling!

Diet Day 12 Afternoon Snack

I had some fresh blueberries in the refrigerator that I wanted to use before they get too beyond their prime.  I don't know where you live but those suckers are EXPENSIVE.  I scattered my 3 ounces of blueberries over 1/2 cup of FAGE "Total 0" Greek yogurt.  Three ounces of berries is way more than I thought.  This was a BIG snack.

Diet Day 12 Dinner

Nutrisystem Salisbury Steak with Mac and Cheese.  This is something I'd never eat outside of this Nutrisystem eating plan. Salisbury Steak is just a euphemism for ground beef with gravy on top.  As for Mac n Cheese, its just way more pasta, cheese and white sauce than I would typically eat.  So with that lead up, here is what I thought of this meal.

On the plus side the meal was very filling.  I added some visual appeal with the fresh carrot sticks and steamed broccoli.  The Mac and Cheese portion was very bland; some fresh ground pepper helped a little.  There was no distinctive flavor of cheese.  The beef tasted "ok" there was nothing off about it.  The gravy tasted like typically commerically prepared gravy.  I would probably buy this again if only to add variety to my list of convenience lower-calorie dinner entrees.  I suspect you could do as well by purchasing locally available low-calorie entrees such as Healthy Choice. 

The frozen entree is separated into two sections so the Mac and Cheese does not comingle with the Salisbury Steak and gravy

The gravy is supposed to be "mushroom" gravy but I didn't see anything that looked like a mushroom. There were a few stray bits of pasta in with the meat.

Diet Day 12 Dessert/Snack

I took a walk after dinner to finish up my 12k + steps for the day.  I like walking after dinner I find it very relaxing.  I don't like to do anything too strenuous right after eating because it seems to upset my stomach. 

I was anxious to try this new dessert,  Nutrisystem Tiramisu.  When I signed up there were no reviews for this yet.  I checked today and it's close to 5 stars, all positive.  There is a little Italian restaurant here in Los Gatos that serves a wonderful Tiramisu; the best I've ever had.  I'll have to try really hard not to compare. 

While I liked this dessert I didn't love, love it.  I did like the espresso flavor of the top layer.  There was a flavor in the cake portion that was off, like lemon or something citrus-like that didn't belong.  It was perfectly satisfying.  Like the dinner, I might order it again to keep variety in my meals.

I thought the little container was cute!  The container is not very rigid so it made it a little difficult to spoon out the dessert.  The Tiramisu adheres to the container so serving on a plate was not an option.

You can see that there is a little layer of the cake, which of course in real life would be Lady Fingers, then a thin layer of a creamy substance (would be whip cream) then espresso powder and chocolate on top.

I would have normally enjoyed this with a cup of fresh coffee but once again it was too late so I had it with a glass of water. 

Speaking of water I had 60 out of 64 ounces today!

Day 12 Wrap Up

As for foods today I'd say the simple burger was the winner.  I kept my protein level higher because of workout day.  I really enjoy the fact that if I needed or wanted to go out I have a variety of options on this meal plan.  Many of the other diets I've tried were restrictive, only certain types of foods, or certain foods at certain times.  I have a dinner engagement planned for next week. That should be interesting.

My energy level is very good and I still feel satiated most of the time AND I'm losing weight.  I can't ask for more than that.

I'll check back in tomorrow.