Spring into Shape - The Chubby Girl's Starting a Diet

For most of my life I've been overweight. I was a "chubby" kid, now according to my BMI, I'm an obese adult. I'm the kind of person who would rather spend an hour on the elliptical than skip a second slice of pizza.

In the fall, after two long courses of steroids to combat symptoms of an autoimmune disease, I gained an extra ten pounds. That was early December.

It hasn't come off.

Surgery for plantar fasciitis and a stubborn case of tendonitis in my foot have also kept me from a lot of activities.

This week I decided enough is enough and I bought a fancy new scale. I also joined a DietBet which starts tomorrow. I joined a Kickstarter game, in which I have four weeks to lose 4% of my body weight. The bet was $35. If i succeed, I split the pot (minus DietBet's fee) with the rest of the winners.

Tomorrow morning is my first weigh in. I don't have to do another "official" weigh in until the four weeks is up, but I'll do it regularly just to hold myself accountable. I'm not worried about exercising more. I've been strength training three times a week for the past three months. I haven't lost any weight, but I'm able to lift heavier and can do more reps. We'll finally have warmer weather later this week so I can walk my dog, Gertie, more.

It's diet part that has me worried. I eat when I'm stressed and lately my job has been incredibly stressful. Tonight I'm planning on cooking up some quinoa. Bunless turkey burgers and grilled chicken and vegetables are all on the menu this week.

What are some of your favorite healthy recipes?