I love food. A lot.
Especially comfort food & sweets. But it’s those things that caused me to gain so much extra weight and not lose it so easily. That is the past though! If you didn’t know I joined up with over 30 other amazing women in a weight loss competition organized by Wendy from Wendy Will Blog.
I have a goal weight, but really it’s more about how my clothing looks and feels and of course the size. I don’t want to be shopping on the edge of the plus size department because while some of the clothes are cute there simply are not as many options as there are in other departments.
That’s why…
I am proud to say that since last week I have lost 3 lbs! It’s such an amazing feeling to step on that scale and actually see progress. It makes it all worth it and encourages me to keep on trying and working towards my goal. The first few weeks I simply started by watching what I was eating and tracking calories and this week starting on Sunday I added in exercise each day. Bike riding on Sunday, 30 Day Shred on Monday, and an almost 2 mile walk with my son in the stroller on Tuesday! I’m sore but I feel great!
Because I’ve been cutting out breads, flours, and sugar I’ve had this a major craving for bread so I gave in… I made some banana bread. Whole wheat banana bread!
I was skeptical at first because I didn’t think that it would be very good… to dry or dense considering that it was made with whole wheat flour. I was surprised because it turned out better than any other bread that I’ve ever made! It was delicious, moist, and amazing beyond words.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 splenda – or sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup eggbeaters – or 2 eggs
- 1 cup mashed bananas
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup hot water
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F .
- In a large bowl, beat oil and honey together. Add eggs, and mix well. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt. Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix, and then add to batter. Blend in chopped nuts. Spread batter into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1/2 hour before slicing.
How to curb your sweet tooth or carb cravings while dieting?
As always I’m linking up with Seven Clown Circus and Parenting by Dummies for Wordful Wednesday!
I love banana bread, but haven’t tried it with the applesauce. I looks delicious so I’ll give it a try!
And yes, you WILL rock this!! Good for you!
I am post-baby #4 and trying for real to get back to my ideal weight range now. I know I will not hold to anything that requires giving up sweets and carbs, b/c I love them too much. So instead I’m doing sweets on an every-other-day or every-third-day basis, and just trying to keep following the gestational diabetes diet. So far, so good. It’s coming off slowly, but surely! I think it’s all a matter of making permanent changes, and accepting that you never get to go back to previous habits.
You will rock that!
The banana bread sounds delicious – I’ll definitely have to try it! 
The Cockatiel Project
We have somewhere to be this morning, and I am considering skipping it to make this
Yum!
You are going to rock this! I know it.
Yum! I’m a big fan of banana bread. I’m looking through all sorts of recipes now to see how I can make my own version. I doubt it will be as gorgeous as yours, but…I need my fix!
And you will totally rock this, I’m sure of it. I sat here and nodded when you mentioned the lack of choices in the plus sized department. It’s depressing!
Hi Ladies! I can speak from experience because I, too L.O.V.E. sweets but also managed to lose 35+ lbs over 6 yrs ago and have kept it off! I even had a baby 15 mo ago! Let me tell you that I think it’s definitely a good idea not to keep anything off limits because, for me at least, that makes me want it more!! lol. I guess my biggest thing is that I HATE the d word….dieting. I feel like i was much more successful when i changed my view and considered it a healthy lifestyle change. I have something sweet just about everyday but i also exercise on average 5 days a week. So it’s all about balance. Have any of you tried making a store-bought cake mix and adding applesauce and water to it? it’s awesome!!! I love icecream and cake but my trick is to make as many of my desserts (except icecream!) myself so I control what’s in it and how healthy it is. 6 yrs ago i cut out soda and slowly started making healthy changes. Take it one day at a time; trust me, if I can do it-anyone can! Prior to this I never worked out in my life!
Congrats on losing weight! You are so brave to be sharing this with all of us! I have been on a weight loss journey since January and it is rough! I agree, the carbs are the hardest to give up! Now I want banana bread.
I have a huge bag of whole wheat flour and there are always brown bananas sitting around the house. Pinned!
You have to give yourself something now and then or you’ll totally get derailed. That looks like a delicious way to do it!