Upper Body HIIT At Home

As with any exercise, be sure to modify to your current ability to fit your needs. Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine. What I do, may not be the best for you to do. We can all start somewhere.

Complete 1 to 4 rounds (Repeat the video for additional rounds). Each round takes under 5 minutes. Got 10 minutes? Do 2 rounds and make it a great start to your day!

Beef Stew Slow Cooker / Crock Pot

Macros Breakdown:

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

Soup Recipes

Calories 292

Fat (g) 17g

Protein (g) 25g

Net Carbs (g) 5g

1 pounds beef stew meat, (cut into bite-sized pieces) 1 tsp Salt (more if desired)
1 tsp pepper
1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped roughly 3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
32 oz beef broth

2 Tablespoons liquid aminos or soy sauce 2 Tbsp Butter or Ghee
8 oz radishes ,quartered
6 oz shredded cabbage

1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon oregano
2 bay leaves

Optional: 1 1⁄2 tsp xanthan gum to thicken (sprinkle in at the last 20 mins and stir well)

Directions:

1. Combine beef, celery, carrots, onion, radishes, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, oregano, liquid aminos, beef broth, butter, and tomato paste in the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 10 hours or on HIGH for 6-7 hours. You can also make this on the stove top on medium high heat letting it sit covered for 25 mins.

My Journey to Lose 39 Pounds in 56 Days: Day 22 Update

Losing weight is never easy, but when you set a challenging goal for yourself, it becomes an even more remarkable journey. On September 5th, I embarked on a mission to shed 39 pounds in just 56 days. Today, on Day 22 of my weight loss journey, I’m here to share my progress, the challenges I’ve faced, and the strategies I’ve employed to keep moving towards my goal.

Starting Point: September 5th – 204.4 Pounds

When I started this journey, I weighed in at 204.4 pounds. While I was still 61 pounds down from my highest recorded weight and my deep dive into what really controls weight loss or gain. It was still 33 pounds heavier than my lowest weight and 19 pounds from my target or goal weight. It pushed me to set a new and somewhat scary goal. Ironically that goal isn’t solely weight related, but to be able to run a marathon in under 3 hours. We will get to that later on in the blog. I know reaching 165 would come easy, but I was determined to make a significant change in my life and regain control of my health.

The Slow Going Start to Getting Ahead of Track

The first two weeks of my journey were surprisingly slow. 14 days in I was down 5.3 pounds, which is great, but no where near “on pace” to reach 39 down in 56 days. I had stopped drinking ketones for the first 2 weeks because I had a theory I wanted to test. Once I added a serving in each morning on day 14, I saw another 5.8 pounds come off by Day 18! It was an encouraging change, and I was motivated to keep pushing forward.

Intermittent Fasting: I have been following a fairly strict intermittent fasting schedule. Some days I followed a 16 – 8 approach, allowing me to eat only during an 8-hour window. While other days I would only eat 1 meal a day with no snacks.

Drinkable Ketones: Ketones are compounds that your body produces when it burns fat for fuel. By consuming drinkable ketones, I aimed to accelerate fat loss while maintaining energy levels.

Hydration and Coffee: Staying hydrated with water and enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning helped boost my metabolism and suppress my appetite.

Day 22 Update: 192.5 Pounds

As of Day 22, I currently weigh 192.5 pounds. While this is an overall loss of 11.9 pounds since I started my journey, I’m aware that I need to pick up the pace to stay on track. To meet my goal, I need to be an additional 3.5 pounds lighter by this point.

The Potential Plateau Challenge

After my initial success, I didn’t want to fall into a common obstacle in weight loss: a plateau. Instead of letting my weight stabilize, which can be demotivating. I chose to beat hemeostasis by eating more often and more, yet still healthy foods) for 2 days. While I put on a couple of pounds, I (hopefully) avoided a plateau that could last weeks to a 3 day event to help keep my body guessing. We will see if it works in the next few days/weeks. 

The Road Ahead

The journey to lose 39 pounds in 56 days is far from over, and I know there will be more challenges ahead. However, I remain committed to my goal and determined to make every day count. It’s essential to remember that weight loss is not just about the number on the scale but also about improving overall health and well-being.

I’m excited to see what the next 34 days of this journey will bring. While I’ve faced a few challenges so far, I’m confident that with the right mindset, dedication, and a willingness to adapt, I can continue making progress towards my goal of a healthier and happier me. Stay tuned for more updates on my journey, and remember that with determination and the right strategies, you can achieve your own weight loss goals too.

White Chicken Chili, Keto Friendly (Insta Pot)

it’s cooling off a little in Cincinnati, so this weekend will be great for one of my fall favorites! Who else is going to try this one?

Chicken Chili Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast (boneless/skinless)

1 lb chicken thighs (boneless/skinless)

2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1⁄2 cup onion, chopped (Optional)
2 can (4 oz) of diced green chilis, drained
32 oz of chicken broth
12 oz cream cheese
1⁄2 cup heavy cream
Optional Toppings: grated cheese, avocado, sour cream, or over easy eggs.

Directions:

  1. Place chicken in crockpot.
  2. Mix all seasonings together in a small bowl and sprinkle over the chicken.
  3. Add onion and diced chilis on top of the chicken.
  4. Pour chicken broth into the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  5. Pull chicken out and pull apart with forks.
  6. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and add cream cheese and heavy cream and stir to combine.
  7. Continue to cook on low for 15 minutes or so until the cheese and cream are melted and wellcombined.
White Chicken Chili topped with shredded American cheese and sour cream in a bowl with white inside and maroon colored outside.

Keto Ground Beef Chili with Liver (Insta or Crock Pot Directions)

I have been looking for ways to get the nutritional goodness of liver, without the taste. This chili recipe is another winner! Taste great and no liver taste or smell.

Keto Chili with Liver

– 2 Pounds ground beef

– 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

– 1 can (10 0z) Ro-Tel 

– 1 can (14 oz) Diced Tomatoes

– 2 garlic cloves, minced

– 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika

– 1 Tablespoon chili powder

– 2 teaspoons cumin

– 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Optional: 

– 1/2 pound diced chicken liver

– 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

– 1 yellow onion chopped

Insta Pot Directions

  1. Press Sauté button on Insta Pot. 
  2. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil in pot. Add onion and garlic. Cook 2 minutes
  3. Add ground beef and diced liver to garlic and onion and cook until brown.
  4. Cancel Sauté mode by pressing off button. 
  5. Add remaining ingredients and seasonings. Stir well. 
  6. Close and seal lid. Press Bean / Chili Button. Cook for 30 minutes.
  7. Once done, release pressure. Open lid carefully. Stir ingredients. (Add any additional seasonings you’d like.)
  8. Serve. Top with keto friendly topping. Cream Cheese, shredded cheese, or a couple of over easy eggs are some of my favorite. 

Crock Pot Directions

  1. Sauté onions (optional) and garlic in either olive oil, coconut oil, or butter. 
  2. Add ground beef and diced liver to garlic and onion and cook until brown. 
  3. Add browned mixture and all ingredients / seasonings to Crock Pot. Stir well. 
  4. Cover and press desired cook time. 
  5. Let Crock Pot complete cycle and turn to warm. Open lid and stir. 
  6. Serve. Top with keto friendly topping. Cream Cheese, shredded cheese, or a couple of over easy eggs are some of my favorite. 

Day 19 of trying to lose 39 pounds in 56 days. 11.8 down.

So far I am pretty happy with my results! I definitely have found a few habits that I am changing my responses to that are helping. It was crazy how every time I went into the kitchen the pantry would open even if it wasn’t my intention to get something from it. Going to grab a glass for water the pantry would open. Putting dishes in the dishwasher, pantry would open. Luckily 19 days in, the pantry isn’t opening as often as it was on day 1.

So what am I Eating / Drinking? I am mainly eating home cooked meals that have simple ingredients, most of which you can find in the recipe section. I am occasionally eating fruit in its original whole form. I have eaten out 2 times so far, wings with Family and Friends.

I have been drinking water, coffee, fat coffee, ketones (last 5 days and will continue), unsweetened tea and a few La Croix naturally flavored bubbly waters. I have had 2 adult beverages at the Golf Outing, but no others during this

More importantly, when am I eating? I am intermittent fasting. Most days I have eaten 2 meals with a NO SNACKING goal… I may have missed the mark on that one a few days so far, but I am getting to the point I am not craving snacks again. I have eaten 1 meal and no snacks 4 times so far. I plan on upping that number as the challenge goes on. I have completed one ketone supported fast for 60 hours so far. Surprisingly, the 60 hour fast wasn’t hard. I have done them before and had a hard time completing them. This one wasn’t easy, but I was able to workout and run the same if I had been eating. I am going to make a post solely about fasting soon.

Exercising? I am sticking to my plan of 20 to 40 minutes of Strength/HIIT training 3 days a week and 4 days of Low Heart rate work. My resting heart rate is staying in the low to mid 40’s with this plan and will continue to adjust based on rHR.

Results so far? So far, so good. While weight loss has been a little slow and then fast and then slow again, it should be. I am currently on tract to meet the crazy goal.

Day 18 progress

Beef and Liver Meatballs

If you are trying to get more organ meat in your diet, but haven’t acquired the taste for it. This great tasting recipe is for you! Something in the ingredients (maybe the cinnamon?) hides the liver taste almost completely. Even my kids loved them!

  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1/4 lb Beef Liver finely chopped
  • 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • Optional: 1/2 cup Diced Onions
  • 1/2 cup of RAO’s marinara (or your favorite low sugar/carb sauce)

Process

  1. Preheat the oven to bake at 350.
  2. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine ground beef and beef liver.
  3. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt. Continue to mix with hands until meat is equally seasoned.
  4. Mix in the diced onion.
  5. Form meat mixture into balls, slightly larger than an ounce.
  6. Place in a baking dish and bake meat balls for 25 minutes.

Can I lose 39 pounds in 56 days?

Against my own advice, I have been stepping on the scale A LOT lately. On September 5th, it read 204.4 pounds and my body fat percentage was 25%. Not going to lie, I was disappointed in myself. I had let some old habits fall back in and processed foods had become a staple again. I was snacking multiple times a day and I hadn’t let my body fast for more than 20 hours in years.

That was the “Bad” news. The good news is I didn’t feel hopeless like I did when I weighed over 265 pounds and 40% body fat. Back then I thought that the only way to lose weight was to diet, work out multiple times a day no matter how sore you felt, and feel hungry and tired constantly. Today I know that the changes I make will lead to more energy, better sleep and mood, and help me get back to the better version of me.

39 pounds in 56 days??? Some have asked my why so much and so fast. The reason is I haven’t set an audacious goal like this in years and there are a few reasons its going to be awesome for me. 39 pounds would put me at 100 total pounds lost since I started focusing on getting into ketosis. I want to run a “fast” marathon. Over the last 7 years, my average weight has been 185 pounds. While I feel good if not great at that weight, it still gets a little tough to run a marathon. While a marathon should be tough, I don’t think it has to be. Taking an additional 20 pounds off should only help. Plus I want to feel light on my feet again. 56 days is 8 weeks. While I plan on keeping the weight off until I get that fast marathon completed, I want to show myself and others that rapid change is possible if you commit to the activity to make it happen. 8 weeks goes by in a blink when you look back. I am sure there are going to be days that seem like they suck. But I / we have been through worse.

How am I going to do it? I prepped for 2 weeks before I stepped on the scale. I already started to eliminate snacking and shifting back to eating more Whole Foods. I actually stopped drinking ketones most days for almost 2 weeks at the start of this challenge. I know how much of a positive impact they have over the last 7 years, but I wanted the first few weeks to be all me and then reintroduce them to see how they help now. My main goals are to:

  1. Eliminate Snacking
  2. Hydrate
  3. Meal prep focusing on high healthy fat and moderate protein.
  4. Intermittent fasting. 20 to 26 hours most days. 36 to 48 once a week with 2 being over 48 over 8 weeks.
  5. More than 7 hours each night of sleep.
  6. Alternate days of Strength/HIIT and Low heart rate cardio. At least 20 minutes each day. Long run days should not take longer than 90 minutes. 45 to 70 minutes once a week is the target.
  7. Only Drink Water, Coffee, Tea, bone broth, or ketones. Adding a little butter, heavy cream, or MCT oil is ok when needed.
  8. NO ALCOHOL Some could get by with a beer or wine with dinner and not have too much of an impact. Alcohol wrecks me and my sleep.
  9. Accountability. I am going to post my progress in a group. At least weekly weigh in results. If you’d like to join, you can find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2keyschallenge

Is there a goal that you want to pursue or are currently going for? Let me know in the comments! Fingers crossed I can update the title to “How I Lost 39 Pounds in 56 Days”, wish me luck!

As of Sept 21st, I am slightly behind my goal in progress, but the last few days it’s been coming off a little more than a pound a day. So there is a good chance of it!

September 5th, 2023