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You are here: Home / Fitness / Project 2018 Update: Weight Loss Progress and More

Project 2018 Update: Weight Loss Progress and More

March 25, 2018 By Donna Biroczky Leave a Comment

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So I’m on week 13 of Project 2018 and I’m happy to say it’s a success! Well, mostly. As I type this, I’m trying to not see the pile of natural cleaning supply ingredients still sitting on the kitchen counter. The husband asked me this morning how long they’re going to be there. Until we use up the regular kitchen cleaner AND I get tired of seeing them there, naturally.

On the weight loss front, I’m proud to say that I’ve lost 11 pounds out of the 21 I’m aiming for. Yeah, for 13 weeks, that’s not as much as I’d like, but I’m not going to let that upset me. I was very sick for two weeks and despite all understanding, I am hungrier when I’m sick. I literally couldn’t get out of bed, so when I did, I ate things like canned soup, boxed mixed oatmeal and all the juices. I still opted for organic and any version that was the most healthy, but I had virtually no activity for those two weeks. Then it took another week before I could even get back on the treadmill to run. It’s now been two months tomorrow since I got sick and I STILL have a nagging cough that my doctor says will eventually go away. I’m trying to believe him but seriously…

The good thing about this whole weight loss journey is that I’ve not made any massive changes to my life. I started eating more often, but smaller portions, and I still eat food I like. Nothing is off-limits. I just make sure that if I want to have some wine tonight, I better eat right during the rest of the day. I have gone away a couple of times and eaten at several foodie events and the scale still moves down because I’m just making better choices the rest of the time.

For extra good measure, I let the doctor weigh me when I got my shoulder re-checked. (I have a rotator cuff impingement that’s finally starting to show signs of improvement.) His scale matched mine at home!

I was dreading it, I had this fear that someone had messed with my scale in some way so I’d fine out that I really hadn’t lost much, if any, weight at all. Instead, it was confirmation that the weight was gone. Still though, I have to admit to not really seeing a lot of difference on my body. My rings are loser. My muffin top is almost gone and my legs are skinnier. And then, uhm, my bras are fitting a little differently. We will leave it at that. I have to remind myself: I LOST 11 POUNDS. Otherwise, I still feel my same chunky self in my head, and mindset matters.

I also have increased my running. I was doing just 2.5-3 miles at first, and now I’m up to six miles three times a week. I do yoga class once a week and I have a day or two of toning and weights at home. Also, don’t look at me when I’m brushing my teeth, because I use that time to do squats. Multi-tasking at its finest.

There are a lot of ways to squeeze in more activity, even when you work a desk job or are at home most of the day like me. When I go out, I park far away so my car is safe AND I get more steps. In parking structures, I try to take the stairs both ways. At home, when I need something, I go downstairs then rather than combining my trips. More steps and on the stairs? Bonus.

The further my runs get, the more motivated I am to compete with myself each time. I’m also considering running a 10k. WHO AM I?

On other fronts, business is going well. I’m on a four-day press trip this week so the blog is doing good and I’m even planning on doing yoga in my waterfront hotel room. (More on that trip later!)

Being more positive is harder than losing weight sometimes. I’ve had to lose some serious dead weight by way of people this year and that made a big difference. I’m putting my time towards the husband, the kids and the furbabies and my wonderful circle of friends. Value those that not only trust you for support but provide support in return. People that you can laugh and joke with…and who can have a conversation without bringing up their problem(s) every single time you speak are worth their weight in gold.

Natural living is a more conscious effort, even if my homemade kitchen cleaner isn’t made yet…or the fabric softener. We’re planning our garden, though we’ve had a ton of rain so now we have a bed full of huge weeds that’s going to delay the start by a week or two. It’s not an easy task to do all that weeding. I’ve switched to non-aluminum deodorant and I’m happy to say it’s worked out! I don’t have odor or wetness issues and I removed a huge amount of chemicals from my daily use. I also switched out my hair products to those with less chemicals, but I honestly will never stop dying my hair. I love purple and having that pop of color.

Now I’m off to take a run. We spent the day yesterday at Knott’s Berry Farm, eating all the things to celebrate the Boysenberry Festival, then we headed right to a bbq with a group of friends, and I may have had like eight bacon-wrapped cheese-stuffed jalapenos, a few empanadas, some nopales and rice and two palomas…and two margaritas. I need this run and I need to hydrate all day. So here I go. If you hear a thunk, that’s me falling off the treadmill and napping.

Update: no falling down! 6.6 miles, 1000+ calories burned, I think last night’s indulgences are gone! 😉

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Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: health, weight loss, wellness

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I’m Donna, and I’m not a mommy blogger.
I’m a Marvel geek and creator of Dangerous Cupcake, a Southern California lifestyle blog dedicated to life after the kids grow up. As my four kids enter different stages of their lives, I get to do the same, having fun, loving Disney, watching Marvel, and not letting my age define anything. Phase 2 of life is pretty amazing. Join me in changing focus ands enjoying life during our next adventure, without totally starting over. However you do it, life is short, live a little dangerously.
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In 2020, we started our home renovation. We knew i In 2020, we started our home renovation. We knew it could be a challenge during the pandemic, but we’d been waiting and were ready. 

We started with new lighting throughout, adding additional outlets and power along the way, outside and in. What a difference it made! Then we moved on to the kitchen and its adjoining family/dining space, making it perfect for the family to eat in on the daily and for holiday meals and perfect for me to watch TV while prepping food or writing late at night. So many plans!

To really change it up, we decided to add a Butler’s Pantry to one wall, where there originally was nothing permanent. The design needed to incorporate our two wine fridges (one white, one red), our booze bottles, all our crystal and dishwater, and our bar equipment. I wanted two glass doors to display the pretty stuff and a hanging wine glass area...and a countertop to serve as a beverage area while entertaining. Easy, right?

The main kitchen layout stayed the same, but we gutted it entirely, removing all the aged oak cabinets and dark marble counters. Swinging the sledge that first time felt amazing! We chose Shaker-style cabinets in a slate grey, a stainless farmhouse double-sink and white quartz with grey marbling. To really maximize space, we turned a pony wall into a cookbook shelf with a matching counter, had a custom island built to stow my gear and provide more food prep area, and had a copper pot rack replated. I can’t forget the bench seat by the weird window that is extra storage and a great place to sit, with its new purple cushion. 

Then came a new dining set, a loveseat to complete the relaxing hangout nook, and a refaced fireplace. The blues of the backsplashes brighten up a once dark space, purple pops of color bring it all together, and we LOVE it in here!  Thanks to my son, the contractor, we have a unique area to entertain and spend time together. Stay tuned, more reno posts coming, as we’re doing the entire house!

#renovation #homerenovation #renovate #remodel #homeremodel #homedesign #homeredesign #kitchendesign #kitchenrenovation @Lowes #designyourhome #kitchenredesign #farmhousesink #shakerstyle #laminateflooring #newfloors
Did you watch Tom and Jerry as a kid? I did, and I Did you watch Tom and Jerry as a kid? I did, and I loved it! Who didn’t, right? I always rooted for Jerry the Mouse! It was a popular cartoon then and now, the infamous duo is back in a new movie hitting the big screen, and HBOMax, on February 26!

A fun hybrid of live-action and animation, the new Tom and Jerry has a stellar cast, including Chloe Grace Moritz, Michael Pena, Colin Jost, Bobby Cannavale, Jordan Bolger and more! Based in New York City, now we get to see something we never thought we’d see: Tom and Jerry have to WORK TOGETHER.

In preparation for the movie, Warner Bros. sent us this awesome box of goodies, including this smash cake, full of treats and surprises. We’re going to have movie night this weekend, where we’ll play the game and laugh together, but I’m most excited to introduce my granddaughter, Charlotte, to another cartoon I grew up with. I’m sure she’s going to love Tom and Jerry just as much as I do!

I’ll have a blog post up soon with a downloadable activity pack and links to some games to prep for the movie — or just to stay occupied on another weekend safe-at-home! I’ll also include some photos of what’s inside this massive cake! (And let me just say, the CAUTION tape on the outside of the box had the delivery man doing a double-take. “Should I just put this right here?” ...as he set it down OH so carefully!)

Thanks, Warner Bros.! Can’t wait to watch the movie and have fun with the goodies!

#TomandJerryMovie @TomandJerry #TomandJerry @hbomax @warnerbrosentertainment #warnerbros #familyfun #familymovie #movienight #familygamenight #gamenight #tomandjerrygame #cartoon #animation #hbomax #liveaction @wbpictures #liveactionmovie @boutiquepublicity
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I made this one using three different kinds of heirloom tomatoes from Melissa's Produce, fresh pre-sliced mozzarella and fresh basil, both picked up at our local grocer for just a few dollars, making this meal also inexpensive. Slice the tomatoes, layer them with the cheese and basil, and drizzle with your favorite type of balsamic vinegar. I used Bertolli balsamic glaze, which adds just a little tang to the salad. 

I used to order Caprese salads a lot when we'd got out. The crisp of the tomato, the creaminess of the cheese and the savory taste of the basil -- I may have made a smaller serving just for myself the next day. Healthier options don't have to be fancy, expensive or time-consuming. They also don't have to be super low-cal or small portions. Life is short, so eat good food, get some exercise and make new things.

#MelissasPartner @melissasproduce #salad #food #recipe #capresesalad #basil #freshtomatoes #heirloomtomatoes #tomatoes #freshproduce #freshbasil #saladrecipe #kitchenremodel #renovation #kitchendesign #instafoodie #foodiepics #foodie #foodphotos #foodpics #balsamicvinegar #balsamic #eathealthy #healthyfood #healthyfoodies #healthyfoodie
During lockdown, it’s been so important to have During lockdown, it’s been so important to have a safe space to spend our time. I’ve never enjoyed having a garden more than this past year. Early on, it provided vegetables and throughout, it has been a haven. We put up a tv, spruced up the furniture and still, sitting under this tree has been a favorite. Even Shuri gravitates toward its shade, and these oranges have contributed to many breakfasts, brunches and mimosas. Here’s to another Sunday being happy at home!

#oranges #orangetree #orangetrees #sundayfunday #sundaymornings #sundayvibes #sunphoto #sundayphotography #garden #backyardgarden #backyarddesign #backyardgardening #backyardgoals #backyardoasis #backyardfun #backyardphotography #naturephotographer #growyourown #growyourownfood #growyourownfruit
We haven’t had a date night out of the house on We haven’t had a date night out of the house on a normal scale since pre-COVID. We love going out but things have been closed and we also want to be safe. Normally, the hubs cooks a fancy dinner for Valentine’s Day, but this year, he surprised me with reservations for a favorite restaurant of ours, Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge in Rancho Mission Viejo. They offered a special holiday menu, served outside in a beautiful setting, with heaters keeping us toasty. I started our meal with this amazing themed cocktail, a Love Conquers All. It is made of bourbon, macadamia nut liquer, Benedictine, coconut water, pineapple, lemon, egg white and edible glitter. OMG it’s a top-three cocktail EVER. The bartender is a genius, as these flavors came together in a drink I could enjoy on a regular basis. 

The rest of our meal was equally good, but made better because we got to see our sweet friend Marla and we thoroughly enjoyed just being out in public. Hearing others laugh and talk....oh how I have missed that. 

Masks are required, tables are set apart and we felt totally safe. And happy. That matters now, more than ever. 

@scarletkitchenandlounge #scarletkitchen #scarletkitchenandlounge #cocktail #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #bourbon #bourbongram #bourbonlover #bourbonenthusiast #bourbonlife #bourboncocktails #bourbondrinker #bourbondrinkers #bourbondrinks #bourboncocktail #edibleglitter #fancydrinks #fancydrink #valentinescocktails #valentinesday2021 #datenight #nightout #foodblogger #blogger #ranchomissionviejo
Last night, I made an amazing chili verde in the I Last night, I made an amazing chili verde in the Instant Pot. It's a family favorite, and so easy that I had time to experiment in the kitchen for the first time since we finished the redesign. I decided it was a good night to enjoy another olive oil cake, using hearty and flavorful oil and fresh produce gifted to me by Garcia de la Cruz and Melissa's Produce. It was a hit!

This particular cake uses 1 1/3 cups of olive oil, which makes it incredibly moist. Garcia de la Cruz oil has such a rich and fruity flavor, it makes it better than a typical olive oil cake. You can make this cake with any kind of olive oil, but I really recommend this one. To ramp it up a notch, I used fresh blood orange juice and 1/4 cup of strained passionfruit juice, adding sweet, citrus nuances without overwhelming the basic foundation. This cake has no frosting but the top of the cake develops a slight crust, adding a little crisp to each bite. 

If you've never had a blood orange, they're in season now and it's the perfect time to give them a try. They're not just a gorgeous red color, but they are sweeter and tangier than regular oranges. I love how they changed the color of this cake batter just a little, and if I'd used another 1/4 cup of the juice instead of the passionfruit, I think the cake would be a slight pink, making it an even better item to add to your Valentine's Day meal! Passionfruit, however, is a favorite of mine and I love how versatile they are! I use their juice quite a bit in a morning smoothie!

@melissasproduce @GarciadelaCruzOliveOil #ValentinesDayRecipes #valentinesday #dessert #food #recipe #oliveoil #valentinesfood #valentinesdayfood #melissasproduce #baking #instantpot #passionfruit #bloodorange #bloodoranges #bakedessert #freshproduce #foodies #sidedish #bakeacake
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