Mrs Sequoyah County 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, I am reflecting back on the years events. So many milestones, hurdles and FIRSTS!!! In January I started excising. In typical "Go big or GO HOME" fashion, as that is how I roll, I signed up for a 5k right off that bat! BIG FIRST for me! I trained hard. When everyone thought I'd give up, I pressed on and I persevered. I finished!! I went on to complete a total of 5 5K's in 2011. I saw many sizes come and go! I have almost hit 100 pounds. That is my last goal of the year. I really hope to hit it! I feel better than ever. I am so happy right now and still going! I love it when I hear how I have inspired someone to exercise or continue losing weight. I LOVE when someone asks me " What diet are you on" my answer "Good old fashion eating right and exercise" something that we all have forgotten how to do.
I have to say that the biggest FIRST I have accomplished is proving to myself that "Yes I CAN"!!! I had often thought that this goal was so unattainable so out of reach. So many times I have told people that "A journey of 1000 steps still starts with just 1 step" but I couldn't believe that for myself. Now I do and I know that I can!!
I am so passionate about weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle now. I really can't imagine being any other way. I guess at 43 it's about time! When I was 37 I dreaded turning 40, I mean like crying, kicking , and screaming!! Now I am not even bothered by my age. I mean I don't like looking older but I am all about Botox and fillers!!!! But seriously age is not really bothering me at all anymore!
Like I aforementioned, in November I was Crowned Mrs Sequoyah County and I will be in the Mrs Oklahoma Pageant on March 4. This is way outside the box for me. My sister will most likely tell you that I have always been more of the Beauty Queen type and my husband will say that I am a Princess. my clients call me the Glitter Queen!! I like to think of myself as more of a ROCKSTAR!!! However a Pageant Queen is really a different animal for me. I am excited. It's something new. It is a MOTIVATOR!! A reason to stay focused and push myself beyond the limits again! I don't brag on Dennis very often. I realized that it is easy to complain. When he frustrates me, I can easily complain about it. However I think that it is important to turn that around!! I can be having an UGLY Hair day, no make up, frumpy clothes and feeling down and he will smile at me and tell me I am beautiful and I feel like a super model!! Now he also reminds me daily that I am one lucky woman as he is so "Good Looking" LOL!!! He is so modest!! During the Evening Gown portion of the Pageant, Dennis will dress up in a Tux and escort me onto the stage. What a lucky woman am I!!! During a moment when I will no doubt, be the most nervous I have ever been, have my rock planted firmly right at my side uplifting me with nothing more than his presence. And in a TUX no less!! At that moment I know that I will have come FULL CIRCLE!! The other contestants in this Pageant are much younger than me. I was thinking that I must be crazy for doing this. I was ready to drop out. Then I thought naw, I'm in!! I represent every pound shed, everyone that I have inspired, and every woman that thinks she cannot do this I am here to show you that YES YOU CAN!!! I may not have children and the life that the other contestants have, but I have so much to be thankful for and I have accomplished many things in this 2011. And with all that I will proudly sport my Crown!!!! 

No turning back

When I started this journey I was highly motivated and ready to take on the weight loss world. I have had my ups and downs over the past year. I have pushed my body and made some awesome discoveries. I have had some "Ah Ha" and "Priceless" moments.
In all of the success I have had in this year, I have had a dark cloud following close behind me. There is the dreaded statistic that the cards are not in my favor for keeping the weight off. I read the other night that 95% of people who lose weight gain it all back plus more. I have fallen into this category more times than I care to remember. One of my inspirations has been Ben Davis of Little Rock Ar. I did not know he was from Arkansas when I was sent his Youtube video. Ben was a 365 pound 23 year old who had spent his young life yo yo dieting. On Christmas 2009 he made his grandma a promise that he would lose the weight and he would keep it off. The next day he started running. It is very hard to run at that weight. Someone on caloriecount.com sent me his link when I was feeling discouraged and it helped me to push forward. Ben lost the weight and is inspiring people all over the world. He is on the cover of this months issue of Runners World magazine. I have vowed that I am a changed woman. I am in the process of getting a trainer. I hope that we can start this week. I will not fail, I will not do this again!!!!
I know that I have started countess diets and had the same fervor only to fizzle out by dinner. Not this time! No way! I have exposed too much of myself. I have learned to much and I am responsible for that knowledge now.
www.bendoeslife.com
This is Ben's blog. Check out his story. No matter if weight is your issue, his story is inspiring!

Keep moving forward, never look back!!! 

I am on my way...

On December 2 it will be a year since I began this journey. Lots of changes have been made and new challenges are before me. I have accomplished things that I did not know I was capable of. Someone told me that it is easier to start a new habit than to break an old one. I have been successful at both breaking old habits and starting new ones. I stated that I had resorted to Gastric Bypass 12 years ago. At that time I lost 140 pounds and still had 40 pounds to go. Failing to change my lifestyle and my eating habits, I gained most of that weight back. Today I am 10 pounds from the lowest weight I was after surgery, this time I am going all the way and never going back!
I did win the title of Mrs Sequoyah County and I will compete for Mrs Oklahoma in the Pageant on March 2-4.
I don't expect to win or place. When I step out on that stage I have already won! Knowing, on that night where I am, not in the literal sense. Just knowing where I started and how far I have traveled on this journey to get to this point. That will be the crown jewel. All candidates have to have a platform that they speak on during their reign. I have chosen Childhood Obesity. I am so saddened when I see parents starting their children on the path to destruction. Recently Den and I were grocery shopping. We observed a young mom trying to pay for her groceries and deal with her very busy 3 year old son. You could see that she was over her head with this lively toddler but he obviously had all the control. He was about 8 pounds overweight for his young frame. In time that will easily turn into 100 pounds. When her transaction was complete she handed the small child a King Size Candy Snickers and a 20oz Mountain Dew. Very sad! My mom was great at making sure we ate right. Soda and candy was minimal in our life. We ate Fast food almost never! I gained weight after I left home. Genetics play a role in our bodies make up. Unfortunately on both my maternal and paternal sides, weight is an issue. Even with this Genetic hurdle, you can overcome!
I have learned so much about our Metabolism and eating right along this journey. It all just comes down to burn more than you take in! Simple! No fad diet! No crazy diet cuts! However you do have to change your lifestyle. Cut out most of your sugar intake!!! You will OVERCOME!!!!

Wow how my life has changed...

This Thanksgiving I will be participating in my 5th 5K this year. That is far different from the way I have started past Thanksgiving's. I have been the cook, working my way toward gaining those 10+ holiday pounds. Not now!! I am starting new traditions, new achievements. I am working my way toward Happy!!
I have also decided to really live outside the box, I have done something that is so far out of  character for me. I have entered a Pageant. I am competing for Mrs Sequoyah County, then I will be in the Mrs Oklahoma Pageant. The Pageant is in March. I should be at my goal weight or close too it. I am going to start working with a trainer. Thankfully, I do not have to wear a swim suit, just a Workout Outfit that is fitted and a couple of Dresses plus an Evening Gown. That is the part that I am looking forward to :) Den and I did not have a wedding, we did have a nice reception but I didn't wear a Gown. I didn't go to a prom, so I want to dress up. He has to wear a tux and escort me out on stage. Very nice. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
I was whistled at last night in the Walmart parking lot. Granted it isn't ideal and kinda creepy but it made me giggle.

Call me crazy but $200 for a pair of jeans is CHEAP when it makes me...

Feel like a MILLION BUCKS!!! Now before you shriek and think me shallow, read on. I was wearing plus size clothes in my 20's before there were cute plus size clothes. Most of the time I could be seen in black leggings, not a flattering look for a LARGE woman, with a long shirt. Jeans were out of the question. As I stated before my weight got out of control. On more than one occasion I was in a size 26/28 bottom and 30/32 top. There is nothing worse than the horror of knowing that you are in the largest size in the Plus Size store. I mean where are you going from here?! When stores like Old Navy came along and tried to introduce a Junior Plus line I would be thrilled to lose enough weight to wear those clothes. However it was usually short lived and they didn't fit well.
There was a store, Clothestime, that had been my store when I was of  "Normal" size in High School. It was Christmas and I was out shopping alone. Anyone who has ever been morbidly obese knows that shopping alone is no fun. There is no one to help distract the stares and looks of detest on the faces of those who would rather see you locked away than out among them. That's a whole other topic. Anyway, I went into Clothestime to buy a sweater for my sister who was at best a size 6 at that time. I looked around the store and could not find the specific sweater that I wanted. I approached the counter and politely said "Excuse me" to the very thin teen who was working customer service, when she turned to answer me her young face held no concern or care of my needs, she gave me the snarled lip and the up and down once over when then her young and very ill mannered rearing manifested into "UM WE DON'T CARRY YOUR SIZE HERE!"
I felt as if I had been hit with brick in the face. Like I didn't know that! Thank you for pointing that out to me and everyone else. The humiliation of it all left me heartbroken and embarrassed. How could she be so rude? I do have feelings. That is just one of many encounters.
Throughout the years I have had some moments of "YES" I did it, only to fail and go back up the scale. I have watched trends and stores come and go only to know that I can't wear them however wishing that I could.
When I started my journey, I had the ultimate goal. That was to wear a pair of Miss Me jeans by this Christmas. I love those jeans and the bling!! I went shopping Monday and I bought my second pair of Silver Brand jeans in a smaller size! YAY!! All this new sizing by waist or so I thought was the waist size is very confusing to me. I havent shopped like this so I have no clue what my size is when it comes to a 32 or so on. I know what that means in a Plus Size but not at a Normal Store.
Today I go into Buckle, I am looking at the Miss Me jeans when I see that they have 33, 34, & 36. The sales girl helps me and tells me that the 36's will be too big but insist she is crazy and that she should bring them anyway. I am in a fitting room, which I fear them again another topic, with 5-6 pairs of Miss Me's and Rock Revival's. I try on the 33's a lil tight, then the 36's and I could swin around in them. The 34's were ok but in the Rock Revival's, which I decided I LOVED, the 33's I think were more suited for me. Of course they didn't have them. She returned with a 32 and I thought no I'd like to breathe. The 34's were comfortable yet not to snug and they will shrink. I was so excited to know that I wasn't wearing the biggest size in the store, I could have went into a smaller size and I was in The BUCKLE!!!!! I bought them and they were $194.53 PRICELESS!!!!

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life....Well not really, just a new chapter

I have been on a plateau for the last month. I have been teetering on a few pounds. Its driving me crazy!! So tomorrow Dennis is leaving for California 3 weeks. While he is gone I plan on stepping up my game a bit! I am going to get back to the Reshape The Nation plan 100%. I have been eating right just not enough. My body is freaking out a bit! I have been going to the gym 3 times a week, now I am getting back to going 5. I am wearing a size 16 and by Thanksgiving I want to wear a 14.
December 2 marks 1 year I have on this journey, I hope that by next summer I will meet my goal. It seems so surreal. I don't feel like that "old" me. In my mind I do, but I can't relate to the "Fat" Lynne. I get up and early and go to the gym, I make better choices eating out, and I can see now that a healthier me is possible. The saying that "Nothing tastes as good as losing weight feels" is true to a point! I love when my jeans that were tight are now big, I love when I see someone and they say that I look great and they want to know how I did it, but I also love French Fries. Sometimes I just can't say no. Not often, but once in awhile I give in.

A picture is worth a thousand words...wow mine said a mouth full!!!!

Earlier today Dennis and I were repacking some boxes that were going into storage. I love going through old pictures of my dad and all the kids. Makes me feel old though lol. In all the pictures there were some of our wedding reception, Christmas past. and various holidays. I couldn't believe the transformation. It was bittersweet. I didn't think that I had that many pictures of me over the last 7-8 years turns out I was wrong! I found some that I had forgot. WOW!! There are those days that you put on make up, do your hair, find just the right outfit and you look at yourself, even 100 pounds overweight, you still think "DAMN I am having a good looking day!!" I totally remember feeling that on this particular day. Well pictures do not lie! I was lying to myself. I even asked Den if I was smaller than certain times these pictures were taken. I just don't want to have that denial any more. When I had a Gastric Bypass, I lost 140 pounds but I still only made it to a size 14. Well I am  20 pounds from the lowest weight I was at that time. I feel better than I did then. I didn't exercise then nor did I eat right. I am doing all  the right things now.
Next Monday, Halloween, Den is going to California for 3 weeks. I am going to be hitting it harder while he is gone! I have 14 pounds to make the 100 pound milestone, then I want to lose 7 more to be less than he has ever seen me. Hopefully that will get me to my next goal of wearing a size 14 Miss Me jeans on Thanksgiving!! That will be the smallest that I have been in 12 years. I am so happy!!
Looking at these pictures has just reinforced that I am doing the right thing. It is awesome to wear smaller jeans and feel sexy in tighter clothes, but the reality is that I am doing this for my health. I am 43 years old I want to live a long happy life without disease. I want to be able to run well into my 70's. I did this for the whole package! Even though I did this for the right reason's, I don't want to be the girl in those pictures ever again! When I get in my size 14 jeans,  I will post both pics.
Keep moving and eating right!!! Take pictures... you might see something that you need to see, however you may just see the beauty that is in the eye of the beholder!

Oh the weather outside is FRIGHTFUL ....

Here in the mid east we are having a cold front. Our weather went from 90+degrees Monday to 29 low the last two nights. Then warming up today to a nice 67 today then 81 Monday. I'm not liking this winter like weather. It makes it hard to get out of my warm bed and hit the gym. However Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love all beautiful colors, the smell of the air, and the food! Fall means Pumpkin and Apple season, YUM!! I have heard that there is a Apple Orchard here that sells them by the bushel. I am going to check them out on Monday. It's time for homemade apple butter and apple sauce, but with a healthy twist. I am also going to make Gluten free Pumpkin Bread for Dennis using Raw Sugar, stay tuned I will share.
October has always been my favorite Month for many reasons. The weather changes brings in the Fall colors, it used to mean the time changed. I actually love when it gets dark at 5pm weird I know. It is the kick off to the Holiday season beginning with Halloween. For some Halloween is not a real holiday but in my world it ranks up there with Christmas. Halloween was my dads birthday. It was always a celebration. I love dressing up, decorating my house, handing out candy to the little and not so little kids, I LOVE haunted houses and hay rides. In the 2 weeks leading up to Halloween I want to take it all in!! I lost my dad 3 years ago on October 18. It has been a little rough getting back in the swing of it, we also moved from California to Arkansas 2 years ago. This is the first time in 3 years that I feel in the spirit, if you will, of Halloween. I know that my dad would want me to continue to celebrate just like old times, and do so in his honor.
Going into this Holiday Season I am going try different things. Baking will be some of the traditional items with modifications, others will be new introductions. I love homemade Soups and Stews. Monday I made Great Northern Beans with Smoked Ham and Oven Roasted Potatoes. It was delish!! Very easy.
**In a large pot heat 3 tablespoons coconut oil saute 1 yellow onion chopped and 2 cloves of garlic minced
1 tspn pepper add cubed lean smoked ham heat through, add small bag of dried great northern beans and Knorr Beef Stock (the new gel like ones that come in a 4 pack forgot what they are called) just cover with water and stir. In a covered pot bring to a hard boil for 20 minutes, reduce to a medium boil keep covered and stir occasionally add water if needed. Takes about 2 hours
Boil small potatoes whole until fork tender, drain. heat oven to 425 On a non stick cookie sheet place potato and gently squish with masher until it pops and flattens
Mix olive oil, sea salt, rosemary, pepper then drizzle over the potatoes and bake for 20 minutes
Beans are an excellent source of fiber**
I love food and I love food that tastes good and is comforting on these cold days. I have to eat healthy. I add lots of spices and flavors to my dishes. By adding extra veggies and spices and taking out the fat and bad carbs you wont miss what is not there.
Try something new!! I will share my homemade chicken soup recipe next time, it is yummy!!!

People never cease to amaze me...

So Friday I get a phone call from a woman inquiring about a Detoxifying Pedicure. I obtain some information from her and then explain that what she is looking for would have to be ordered. When I am about to get her number she asks me "How much weight do you think this will help me lose?" I ask "Excuse me, umm I am not sure I understand." she replies "My cousin has been going to Tulsa three times a week and soaking her feet and she has lost a lot of weight." my response "Then you might want to go there. Anything that I can offer will just be purely esthetic. To properly lose weight you need to follow a proper diet and exercise plan." "I walk 45 minutes a day and I only eat 1200 calories a day but I can't lose any more weight." I explain to her that she isn't eating enough and that she is exercising so her metabolic rate is up therefore taking in a balanced diet of protein and good carbs is key to successful weight loss. She was not interested since her Diet Pill Doctor wont let her eat more than 1200 calories. I began to tell her of my own weight loss journey. I explained the importance of nutrition and how her body was no doubt in Survival Mode. I told her how her body was holding on to everything that she was eating and that her body was certain she was trying to kill it. I told her of free apps and web sites that would help get her on the right track. She did not care. She was looking for the quick fix. Seriously if soaking your feet in a detox solution would help you lose weight then I'd be in my pedi chair ALL THE TIME!!!! That would be easier than running your butt off and eating right. I know that we all buy into every diet trend out there. I have many many many times!!! With so much available to us now I had hoped that we would have evolved beyond Foot Soaking Diet Detox.
I have lost 86 pounds and I still have a ways to go. I get asked everyday "How are you doing it" I always say "The old fashion way, Good old Diet and Exercise" Burn more than you eat. Just start with Cardio. You have to eat!! Eat right, and the occasional treat is fine and necessary!!! The response is always the same, "Oh" with the enthusiasm of a learning that you need a cavity filled without Novocain. I have learned so much about food and combining along with nutrition. I am so happy that I started this journey for obvious reasons but also in hopes to help someone begin on the right path. I love it when someone see's me and says WOW you look fabulous!! How'd you do it?! I love sharing what I have learned. There are those out there that go into this journey down different avenues and with their own agendas. I have been a fan of the Biggest Loser from season 1. Even though I'd sit there year after year eating chips and cry with all the contestants. I knew that one day I'd do this. This past May ABC debuted a show called Extreme Makeover wight loss addition with Trainer and Weight Loss expert Chris Powell. He specializes in the super obese. I love Chris!! I, along with millions of other obese people, would have loved to be on either show. Many people have been helped and lives saved through the process. There are always going to be those that are just ungrateful. A contestant from EMWLE has now, after failed attempts to extort money from the show, has come forward to "Blow the whistle" on the show and their extreme unhealthy weight loss measures. Like weighing 600 pounds was healthy. This man could not walk to the end of his block without having to rest. He sat on a love seat since chairs would not hold him. He had to enter his bathroom sideways as he was too wide to enter it normally. He lost 313 pounds in 1 year then he has lost the balance. It was extreme hence the name of the show! He knew what he was getting into. He ended up in the hospital with pneumonia during the show and blames the weight loss. Then he had some cysts on his kidneys during the latter part of his weight loss and blames the weight loss. he claims that at 600 pounds he was healthier.  He demanded that the show pay him $50,000 for medical bills and when they did not he decided that the show is bad and he needed to let people know how deceitful they were. All the while he had a FB page using the show's name and writing a blog with the show's name as well. He, by all obvious purposes, was using the name of the show, the trainer, and  his weight loss success to gain fame and notoriety. When he didn't get it now he using drama to get it. Very sad!!! I know that if I was in a place where I spent hours in the gym and had only good nutritious food available to me then I'd lose easy and fast. I have heard before about the tactics used to lose more before weigh ins and again it's a reality show! They are after the shock factor. I just hope that he keeps the weight off and in his quest he will accept that his actions caused his health problems.
Excess weight is not good by any means!!! Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure,  the list goes on!!
Side note the Toxicology Report came in on the driver of the Car that killed my friend, his BAC Level was double the legal limit. Very sad!!

And now the rest of the STORY....

 http://www.myabc30.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=58&nid=2141100573Well I wrote yesterday of my anguish over an old friends death. Today I learned the rest of the story. It did not occur at 5:40pm it was 1:30am and they had been drinking. Even worse. I am just sick over this. I didn't sleep well last night for thinking about this. I have added the link to the news story, please take a moment and watch the 2 minute video. You can't even tell what end of the car it is. My heart hurts. You shouldn't have to worry about losing friends to Drinking and Driving at 42 years old. My friend died over a very poor decision. We make decision's all day everyday they shouldn't take your life. I am sorry for harping on this, but my Grandma died when I was 2 in a car accident where alcohol was involved. Over the years I have lost so many friends this way, it just hurts. I wish I could go home and be with my friends. I really don't have many, I'd like to see them all grow old. Also like I stated last night, next week is the Anniversary of my Dad's death.
God Bless you all, hug your loved ones and let them know that you love them and that you don't want to lose them over a poorly made decision!!!!

Life is too short, much too short... RIP in Sandi

This morning I learned that an old from my home town was killed in car accident last Friday night. I had known her nearly my whole life even though I hadn't seen her in years. Growing up in the same neighborhood, she and my sister were in the same class, my step brother plated football with her brother and her mom was a long time client of mine after I started my nail career. There was a strong connection. Hearing the news was a blow to my heart. I was instantly saddened for her children and her family. I felt sad for the two others that died in the car that she was the passenger in. Ultimately my grief was coupled with anger. I am angry as this accident was senseless. A young driver showing off his new mustang driving too fast over corrects a corner looses control and plows into an Oak Tree and instantly all 3 in the car are dead!! I am sorry but that makes me mad!! My friend leaves behind children and family that were not expecting her to be ripped from their lives. I started this weight loss journey in hopes to save better my health and prolong my health. I have seen with my own eyes watching my Father deteriorate right before me then died and my step mom die 8 weeks after being diagnosed with Lung Cancer all from SMOKING!!! A lifestyle that they enjoyed. I feared that my horrible eating habits would earn me the same fate if I didn't change. I don't want to do all this only to have it for naught. I'd like to think that I make better choices not only in my lifestyle but in my day to day life. How can you control what others are doing? Well you open your mouth! If you are in a car and they are speeding ask them to slow down! If they are recklessly driving then DEMAND that they stop!!! Do not allow for your fate to be in someone's control!! Unfortunately there are situations where you have no choice, when you do have the opportunity by all means speak up!! It was 5:40pm still early and daylight. I'm sorry but I just cannot let this rest. I am sad but also mad! I have learned that life is short and it is precious!!! I want to see my future! There are so many things that I have not seen and people I want to meet. Next week it will be 3 years since I lost my dad, by far the single most difficult experience in my life thus far!!!! 40 years with him was not enough!! I could have spent 40 more!!! I miss him everyday and would give anything for one more day!
I love you all and do not wish to lose any more friends to senseless accidents or self inflicted health issues!!
Be safe!!! Life is SHORT!!! LIVE IT UP!!!!!

Long time no BLOG...

I haven't given up on my journey nor fallen into old habits. I have been working hard at losing weight and building my Nail Business. It has been 10 months and I down 85 pounds. I have 15 pounds to my first big goal then hopefully I will hit my ultimate goal by next summer.
I have made so many changes this summer. In all of my quests for a healthier eating lifestyle, I have read countless articles. I blogged some time back about Dennis and his struggle with digestion. I also added that we added Gluten Digestion Enzymes to his diet. Well that was a bust. Turns out he is allergic and not intolerant. We have both set out to be Gluten free. It is hard as EVERYTHING that tastes good contains Gluten. It is getting better. I have found several things and we are adjusting.
I am attempting also to go Dairy free. I am lactose intolerant but i would still eat cheese and yogurt. Now I am only going to eat Goat cheese and no yogurt. I am eating more fruit and veggies, working on no white potatoes or corn products. The diet will be very strict but I am going to follow the "Eat right 4 your type" I am curious to see how it works for me. I am O neg, so I should eat more of a Hunter Gatherer diet. Mmm Meat!! LOL
I am in between sizes right now.  When I get out of the current size, I will be in the Juniors Dept YAYAY!!!!
I am going to buy a pair of Miss Me jeans and hope they fit by Thanksgiving!!!! I actually love wearing jeans now. This is funny..I bought a cute pair of Silver brand jeans which were a low rise. Well I am still wearing the full brief panty, so when I put on my cute jeans my panties stuck out of jeans about 3 inches. I kinda felt like Markie Mark, just didn't look as hot on the 40 something old lady. Well I was having a hard time breaking out of the "comfort" zone in the panty dept. I am not a thong girl nor do I like the barely there things. I still like spandex and full coverage. So buying a low rise panty with added support was a bit of a challenge, but I did it. I must say it was a nicer look and feel to have my panties below the low waist line of the jeans. If you have ever transitioned from granny panties to regular then you will get it. Sorry for the TMI but I find some of these changes humerus.

 

36 Inches, 3 feet or a Yard...

However you measure it, I have lost IT!!!! My current Stats are 66lbs 7 Sizes 36 inches. When I presented these to Den, he so politely said "WOW that is 3 FEET!!" I said "Don't put it that way" Anyway you look at it, it is what it is!! And I am happy!!! I am now at a weight that I have not been at since I had Gastric bypass Surgery 12 years ago. I have NEVER been this dedicated or this focused. I am proud of myself!! Today is a good day. I am feeling better about myself. My feet are even smaller. I will be going to California in August, I can't wait to see friends and family. I know that everyone will be surprised at the transformation. The more I travel this road the more momentum I gain. I am picking up speed, but we all have off days. I sometimes need a pick me up. Recently I was feeling low and in need of motivation. Our local news shared the Motivating Story of David. An obese man from Charleston Arkansas changing his life and hoping to inspire others. http://www.facebook.com/teamdavidinspires
Take a look at Davids Page and "Like" it. He needs all our support to keep going. I read what he is doing and he keeps me going!! I know that I can do this!
I am almost out of WOMEN'S sizes also!! I went shopping at Dillard's last weekend and went into the Misses Dept and bought Capri's. I can get them up to my rear end just not over. So about 20 pounds and I will be in them!! Hitting the gym in the morning, MOTIVATION!! LOL
My next Goal is Miss Me Skinny Jeans by Halloween with Boots. I hired a Photographer today that is going to put together a Weight Loss Photo Album for me. She is going to do photo's from this point on to track my progress and use my before pictures. It is going to be interesting watching the change. I sometimes cant believe the difference now. Den was helping me fold clothes and he said that he has to look at the pockets to see what jeans are his, since mine are smaller now. It is moments like that... that make me SMILE!!!!
Keep moving and you will shrink too!!!

Some things Cheeto's and Twix cant fix.......

When I started this journey I knew that there would be some healing that would need to be done. Lets face it, we have all heard the quote "It's not what you're eating.. it's what EATING you!!!"  I have had my moments of kicking and screaming. I have had the "cry my eyes out for no reason" well that might be hormonal, LOL. Whatever the case may be I have my moments. Just when I think that I have it all together and I am doing great, I get hit from left field. Today was a biggie!!! I had a new client who was not from here. She had been in Fort Smith for a few years and had lived all over the States. I found her very nice and very informative. I have been feeling a little more comfortable here. I feel less like an outsider and more like I a resident. I am getting around the city better, and I actually run into people out in public now. That is huge for me. Growing up in Clovis, I knew everyone. I have felt very alone here outside of work. The client gave me some sound advise, she said that it would take 3-4 years to get settled in here. She also said that Fort Smith is probably one of the hardest towns to get into the "Circle". People are nice and friendly here but there are some that no matter what when you are new they simply will not let you in. If you did not grow up here then you are always going to be "The Newbie". Most of you know that I faced serious obstacles professionally when I moved here, in spite of that I have become, a local favorite! I work a lot and that doesn't leave me much time for socializing. I hate to admit it but I have not been to Church since I left California. That was such a big part of my life! I have not left God!!! I am still very close to God and my relationship with him is good!! I just have not found a church that I want to be plugged into. Anyway, I have a few people that I simply respect and value greatly! I do not have many friends here but I have made a few. Today out of no where, and she doesn't even know it I am sure, one of them hurt my feelings. I then heard the clients words echo in my head, "You will never break in the circle". I wanna go where everybody knows your name and there oh so glad you came. I want that familiar feeling. Where I can look down at a building and it holds a special memory for me. I want to feel like this is home. I am trying, I want to feel that way. I want people to respect me enough that they wont stomp on my feelings just because I am new and I don't mean anything to them. It is a matter of respect! So I obviously did not take this well!! I really let it bring me down! Just when I think that I have it all under control, I realize that I don't! I had to stop at Walmart on my way home. While in the check out line I was right there next to all the impulse buys. I threw a bag of Cheetoes Puffs and Twix into my cart. I have not had that in awhile!! In the car I ripped open the bag of Puffs and went at it. What a mess! I ate half the Grab Bag size and only 1 bar of the Twix. It is a 20 minute drive from Walmart to my house. About 10 minutes into the drive my binge was over and my belly was sick!! OHH the agony!! I thought I was going to pop from the gas and discomfort. It was horrible. I am not sure if it was the sugar or the fat in the puffs but something did not agree with me!!! I have not hurt that bad in a very long time! My chickens got the remainder of the bag and I threw away the candy bar. I will never do that again! It really isn't worth it! It doesn't fix the issue, I need to get thicker skin. Maybe in California this would never have bothered me, I am in my element there. I need to find that element here. I sometimes feel like I am standing naked in front of the class, Exposed and Vulnerable. I don't like that!!! I guess the healing process is just scratched the surface!! Venting tonight forgive me!!! Had to get it out so I could sleep!
Haven't moved in over a week, doing a 5k Friday NIGHT in this awful heat!!! I am going to collapse!!!
LOL Keep moving and be a friend to someone new in town, they are feeling alone and need new memories.

I hit a milestone today!!

I am the lightest I have been in 5 years! I mentioned before that I had some clothes from the past. I will get back to that! This weekend Den went on a much needed Man Trip with his new 4 Wheel group. I stayed home for some me time! Well I worked, that is my me time. I love my job. I know I need help. Anyway, Friday night I stopped at Fashion Bug on the way home, Shopping is getting better. I saw the cutest skort. I usually don't like skorts but this one was Camo and very do-able! I decided to buy it in a size SMALLER than my last shopping outing. A little nervous, I held it up and thought "There is no way!" I mean this thing looked so small. I hate dressing rooms, so I took it home. After agonizing over it I finally decide to get it over with and try the dumb thing on. As I am holding it up to take one last look before tormenting myself, I opt to leave all the tags on, as I know I will be returning this. There is no way That I can wear this, when it SLIPS on and it ZIPS UP with NO effort!!! I was ECSTATIC!!! I almost danced!! I wore my new outfit Saturday and I got so many compliments and so many people told me that they could really see my progress, well I would hope after 6 DRESS SIZES!!!! YAY!!!
So today I have this very cute pair of BLINGY Jean Crop Capri's that I bought 5 years ago the day after Christmas. I remember very well buying these pants and squeezing into them! I also remember how I would not sit down in them when I had them on in fear I would cut myself in half! I refused to return them, I did not want to admit that I was gaining weight again!! I knew that I had them in a tub in my closet so I thought that if I was able to wear a smaller size then certainly I could wear these Capri's. This morning I get them out, almost expecting them to be to small and they fit actually they are almost to big! I was so happy!! I just can't wrap my mind around my size right now! I still see a person who has not lost anything! My body image is bad!! I can see the scale, I can see the clothes but when I look in the mirror I still see the old me. Pictures shock me. I took a picture Friday night to show my sister how dark my tan was and yes it was darker than I thought but I was also thinner thank I see myself also. I am working on that. I do not want to have a distorted body image. I think that has been one of my issues all these years. I am enjoying the surprises. I am happy with my results.

http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-weight-loss-edition

You need to watch this new show. This trainer Chris Powell is awesome!! He believes in Extreme Makeovers alright!! He once helped a man lose 401 pounds in 26 months! It is possible! Change is good! Overcome the addictions and the for the binges.
Burn more than you take in, Keep moving!!!!
Thanks for your support!!!

Down 61 pounds and still going!!!

I have lost 61 pounds and I am still going strong! I realized today that I am 3 pounds away from being 100 pounds lighter than I was when I had my Gastric Bypass 12 years ago. I am very proud of myself! I haven't had such a great workout time though. The weather has been unpleasant so April/May has not been very good for Running outside. I still go to the gym a few days a week but I do not push myself as hard. I am still on point with my Caloric intake. In fact, Wendy's has a new Berry Almond Salad that only has 426 calories and it is FANTASTIC!! Its Raspberry Vinaigrette is the best that I have ever had! The berries are fresh, the chicken is seasoned perfectly! Awesome!!!  I usually get the half order and its perfect and less calories! I eat Salads everyday of some sort. I love all the fresh veggies and fruits that are coming in season right now.
I need to go shopping again. I have been buying shoes. The new clothes that I just bought are too big already. I feel good about myself. I have been tanning,, I don't want to hear how bad it is. I love the bronze glow, I think it looks healthier.

I have not felt this good about me in a long time! I like it!!!
Keep moving forward!

Its all Greek to me....

Salad that is! I am on a Greek Salad kick right now. I literally have had one EVERYDAY for the last 2 weeks. It all started when I went clothes shopping. Den and I had lunch at his favorite Burger Place and I saw Greek Salad on the menu. Tired of the boring and not wanting the fattening salads I opted for the Greeks Variation. Well lets just say that they should stick to burgers. I was disappointed to say the least. That sparked my desire for the tasty take on a plate of greens.
I love the Feta and the Olives. I have several versions and I have decided that my version is my favorite. I use Romaine lettuce, Cucumber, Grape Tomatoes, Calamata Olives, Reduced Fat Feta, Dried Cherries, and Roasted Almonds. I lightly dust with Mediterranean Seasoned Sea Salt, Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar and Very little Olive Oil. It is yummy!!
However after several of them I did notice that I was retaining water BAD! I realized that all those Olives are loaded with SALT! So I did cut back. I have added a picture of the Salad I made last night. Try one they are a great change from the usual.

OK so i caved...haha

Well I said that I wasn't ready to buy new clothes. But since I was running out of thing that fit, I caved!! Monday I went shopping for just a few items. I thought I would just add a couple of articles to my closet. So I have been wearing things that I had hung on to over the years and some stretchy yoga pants. I had an idea of what size I needed. I was at Lane Bryant, I cannot wait until I do not have to shop at the "Specialty" store, the clerk was hounding me. I so hate that! Really, if I need you I will come get you. Don't stalk me while I shop. Any hoodles. I was looking at crop pants. I like longer capri's cuffed and not tight legs. While I was talking with the clerk the Size question came into play and I said what size I felt I was, the look on her face was that of disbelief. My insecurity kicked in and I thought she was thinking "Girl you are bigger than that!" SO I start making excuses for my baggy sweats and so on!! She asks to start a dressing room for me and I decline, cause as much as I dislike pushy sales people I dislike dressing room full length mirrors!! I shop around for a few minutes find my spoils and head to the counter. I even opted for a denim skirt with leggings. After the "Look" I got from the clerk I was second guessing my size choice the rest of the day! I need to have more self confidence. Later that evening when I was dressing for bed, I decided to try on my skirt. Afraid that it was going to be tight and I would look really bad. I decided to face my fear, to my surprise it was too big! When Den came in the room I asked him what he thought and he said that if I wanted to wear it longer I may want to exchange it. I decided to keep it, it might shrink. When I wore it to work yesterday I had to roll the waist down one time and I did wear the legging's under it and it was cute. Today I wore a pair of Crop Pants, same size, also big. I don't have to undo them to take them off. I probably wont wear them long but I am so excited that I was wrong!! I really do need to build the self esteem and stop seeing myself as the old me. She did not believe that I was that size because I was smaller. That is a good feeling! Just another accomplishment along my journey. I still have many more sizes and pounds to lose. I have mindsets to overcome.
I live in real world where sometimes life sucks! I still have to work on my coping skills. I had an opportunity recently to blow it bad!! I was feeling sorry for myself and I was feeling like I just wanted to stuff my feelings and resort to old behavior. I didn't give in. I dealt with my issues and I moved forward. We are having very bad weather right now. Like very scary weather. I have only made it to the gym once this week. I can't run outside because I don't like running in the rain. I am going to the gym tomorrow. I have another 5K in 2 weeks just 2 days after my 43rd Birthday!! I am happy with my accomplishments so far, but I am not finished, no where near!!
Thank you and Keep moving, be it up, out, forward ect just keep it going!!!

have I mentioned...

I have tweaked several recipes and tried different sweeteners. Some are like baby laxative! NOT GOOD!! Went to the movies and had some sugar free turtles, Den bought them for me, IDK why. Anyway was not a good movie for me!! Couldn't wait to get home. One morning I put Truvia and Sugar free Coffee creamer in my coffee and then had a not so friendly morning. For some reason I just cant stand the way Splenda tastes anymore. Since everyone seems to be against it now, I guess that it a good thing.
I picked up Agave Nectar at the grocery store looking for an alternative to Sugar for Den. He does like Honey but it is too thick in some things. I made some Strawberry Shortcake and sweetened the berries with it and they were GOOOODDD!!! It has about 30 calories a tablespoon so I am using it in moderation. It is yummy. I have Stevia but it is not my favorite. I do like Truvia, it really does taste like sugar. However after the Coffee exp I am leery. I have become used to unsweet.
Some replacements are good, I do like the Lays Light Chips made with Olean. I remember when that first came out, everyone was saying how you spend your day in the bathroom. The product was pulled and redone. Now its all good!! With 75 Calories per serving and they taste like Classic Lays, its a great substitution.
Turkey sausage not so much. Reduced Fat Jimmy Dean sausage is pretty good. Whole Grain Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Den said it is not the best. Just figure out a way to add a serving of veggies to it he will never know.
It will be 2 weeks tomorrow that he started drinking the Aloe Vera juice and taking the Digestive Support enzymes. He is 100% off his Ulcer and acid reflux meds. He has not had 1 tums! He is eating Pizza, chili, hot dogs, ice cream. All his usual junk but he is digesting it all and healing his digestive tract with the aloe. I am amazed at how well he is doing! He is telling everyone! He now has his dad on the stuff. I never thought that he would quit chewing tobacco, and he did a year ago this month. We thought that he would always live with ulcer pain and acid reflux. I feel that he has been given a miracle. The fact that he is SOLD on this now. That is awesome!!
Changing your lifestyle is easy just do it one step at a time but keep moving!!

I feel the need to clean out my closet and buy new clothes

So far I have not had to buy new clothes except for bras! LOL!! Funny how those are the first articles that cease to fit!! Anyway, I have only bought yoga pants and sweats. I still had some smaller items that I clung to with the hope that I would fit in them again someday. The weather is getting warmer and my oversized sweatshirts are not cutting it any longer. My ideal outfit is Jean Capri's and a Sweatshirt with Flip Flop's. I would love to feel comfortable in Women's cut Tee Shirts and Shorts, but just not there yet. My sister told me once that I need to see myself thin so that I will stop dressing frumpy. It is hard to adjust your brain as the body changes. I am still so self conscience about areas that I think need a tent to cover. I am just not one of those girls that will wear tight jeans with the muffin top and tight shirts looking a sausage casing, I mean really! That is not attractive. Friends don't let friends wear that kind of stuff! I give permission to anyone, please tell me if you ever see me in attire that makes me look like the Michelin Man, I promise that I will not get mad. Can you tell that I am less than ready to shop? I don't know why. I am down 53 pounds and lots of inches, but I am just not wanting to shop until I lose about 20-30 more pounds. After my Gastric Bypass I was a shopaholic. I used to love to shop for shoes, not so much now. I like perfume, my fave right now is Flower Bomb by Viktor and Rolf. I love make up. Clothes not so much. I will get there, I know I will. I am happy with my results. I will like it when I am about 2 more sizes smaller. I am looking forward to Miss Me jeans, lol. I want a pair of those so bad!
I will continue my journey and adjust my brain as my body shrinks, and in doing this I have to Keep Moving!!

No one gets Fat cause they hate food!!

In my quest to a healthy lifestyle, there are things that have not changed. I love to cook and I love good tasting food. I have tweaked my recipes and substituted ingredients with more healthy ones. I love to use Greek Yogurt in place of Sour Cream in dips, I am now using Stone ground Whole Wheat Flour, and  I love Spicy Mustard on Sandwiches and no Mayo!!! Today I discovered Agave Nectar, yum!! Tonight I made Oven Fried Chicken Steak with Sausage Gravy, it was so good and only 300 Calories. With mashed Cauliflower and baked sweet potato it was a perfect dinner!! For dessert, yes dessert!! I made Strawberry Shortcake with Sugar free Angel Food Cake, Fresh sliced strawberries sweetened with Agave Nectar topped with Sugar free cool whip. At 115 calories it was even sweeter!!
Dennis is liking the changes. I must say it makes life easier when he is ok with whats for Dinner. I have a recipe for Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies made with White Kidney Beans and Brownies with Black Beans, I think those ingredients I will keep secret.  I have added a link to my Chicken Fried Steak recipe. Try it it was very good!!
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1590886

Last week I said that Dennis was taking Aloe Vera juice and enzymes for Gluten digestion, well it is working! He is feeling better in a week!! Almost immediately the Digestion Support capsules went to work! He has not complained about stomach upset and has no more Gluten issues. He said that the Aloe Vera juice is really helping with the Ulcers. He hasn't taken Omeprazole in a week. That is his Acid reflux medicine. He is doing better!! Much better!!! He has added Magnesium to the mix. I am just so happy that he is feeling better. Maybe I can get him to do a 5K with me soon.
The weather is nice and nothing makes you feel better that to keep moving!!

Oh no skin is heading south!!!

The one thing that I am not liking is my skin right now. I can lie to myself but pictures DO NOT LIE!! I saw a picture that my Esthetician  posted up on Facebook and I did not like the lines on my forehead. Ok so its time to Re-do the Botox. I smiled in the mirror and I had some lines around my dimples that were not there before. When brushing my teeth yesterday I noticed lines around my mouth. hey I thought only smokers got those! Then tonight I downloaded some pictures from last Saturday's 5K and I saw what sent me into instant depression, my face has fallen!! It is now time to seek medical attention. My Esthestician talked with me about a new machine that she has that plumps skin and in 12 treatments will reverse the signs of aging. Ok I am going to give it a try but if it does not work, I am going to have a lift. I was already prepared to have a tummy tuck and lipo on the problem areas but I just cant take what is happening to my face. My friend said that my skin will figure it out but I am thinking NO its going to get worse. I may be over reacting but I have never liked the whole looking older thing. My face looks like 40 miles of bad road! Not liking that at all!
We all have our vanities. Some women are worse than others. Even though I was Fat I still liked my skin and I felt I had a pretty face. I still had my assets. Not so much right now LOL. Be real there are things that we all want to change. I don't care who you are you have a wrinkle or a roll that you want gone! I want them all gone but I will start with the accordion on my forehead! I mean did I really frown all my life? My mom was right, my face stayed that way! All the years of sleeping in my make up has caught up with me. No do overs. Crap.
Now I get a dose of TCA Peels and Retin A with this Lunch Time Face Lift Facial thing. Since I am not spending money on Fast Food I will gladly spend it on my face right now. I know women who learned how to ride a Harley after 40 and some that went on elaborate trips. Well I am getting my face back.
Sorry if its not your bag, I had to vent.
Keep Moving, I know that I will get in shape.

I hate plateaus

I really hate hitting a plateau! I play with my diet and up my calories and I actually lose weight. Weird! I also realized that I was not drinking enough water. After the 5K I got a bad headache that lasted until Monday. The cause was dehydration. I have drank so much water this week that I feel I could float away.
I started strength training this week and boy am I sore. My body hurts very bad. I feel like I have been run over by a herd of wild bulls. Why do I feel 18 in my mind but 90 in my body? Lol
While using the weight machines I sat in front of a mirror wall with a full body view of myself yuck! I am losing weight from my feet to my mid thighs and then from my forehead to my ribs. Why can't it all just meet in the middle? I felt like Jabba the Hut sitting there. My face is looking droopy! WTH! I really need Botox in a bad way. I am loving the results, but I will need to see a Plastic Surgeon. I want body parts put back in their proper place. To put it nicely.
Back to Plateaus. I just hate it when you are kicking your butt at the gym and eating right. Counting every calorie and watching every item you eat. Simply just doing everything right. Then it's weigh in time and nothing! 2 weeks go by and still no loss or only a very small loss. That is very frustrating. What do you do? Some give up. I sure have wanted to. But I press on. I have upped my calories and increased my workouts. Changed the routine. Sometimes it still takes a day or two but it still breaks. What I find that has worked great is I don't do the same thing everyday. I change my caloric intake depending on my workout. I eat more protein on the high burn days. I eat light on non workout days. Your body thinks your killing it whenever you diet. So it will go into survival mode. It will burn muscle and store fat. It takes as much as 21 days to convince your body that your not killing it. Don't cut your caloric intake too low. Find out what your body burns daily then add exercise. Set your intake based on that number.
Just keep moving while you figure out what works for you and burn more that you take in.

Aloe Vera Juice

In all my reading I learned that Aloe Vera juice is very good for you. In trying to help Den feel better I suggest to him that he needed to start drinking this stuff. Well he was less than enthused. With Den in tow we ventured to "Mr Nutrition Market" in Van Buren Ar a very knowledgable health food store. They were so helpful in pointing us in the right direction with Enzymes to aid in food digestine. The best find was Georges Aloe Vera Juice. Tasteless and colorless. Looks and tastes like water but 4oz a day packs a health filled punch.
Health benefits include Essential Ammino Acids, Anti Inflamitory agent, Collegen and Elastin repair, Daily dose of vitamins, daily dose of minerals, regulates weight and energy levels, immune support and function, and aids in healthy digestion. At $24 a gallon it is pretty cost effective. I figure it can't hurt. If it does only half of what it claims I will be happy. After making Den aware of what his diet is doing to his over all energy or lack of and just what is in his food, he is getting more receptive to changing gradually. None the less some change is good.
I am usually not a big vitamin and supplement fan. I read a long time ago that your body doesn't adsorb very much of the tablet form supplements, and that if you eat right your body will get enough of what you really need. Well I am not too sure of that now. Still not a fan of tablet form supplements, however there are liquid vitamins and powder greens that are better absorbed. In all my studies I have learned a lot about food, additives and preservatives. Not really liking what I am reading. That is a whole other topic. I wish I had a Trader Joes or a Whole Foods here. I am happy that I do have a local market that has some items. A Dr told me that if you can't "Hunt it, Fish it, Pick it from a tree or bush" you shouldn't eat it. I am thinking that is a good rule. A lifetime of convenience has given way to common like-minded eating habits that die hard.
Join me in the 30 day Aloe Vera juice challenge, in doing so Keep Moving!

Overwhelmed

First off I did a 5K last Saturday and I finished in 56:28 minutes. Last time I finished in 58:12 minutes. I had hoped to finish in 55 minutes. I came close. The point is that I finished. I am working so hard to do this. I am proud that I finish this race. I am doing another 5K in May and I hope to finish faster and run more.
I read everyday. I look for articles about healthy living. Diets for running nutrition, diets for healthy intestinal digestion and on and on. I read an article tonight about Gluten. I can't believe how much of our food that is processed with Gluten or a product made from Gluten. Just how bad it is for you. So on one hand you should eat whole grains then on the other hand no wheat. I live in an area with very limited resources when it comes to Grocery Stores. This is when I need an Whole Foods. The nearest one is in Little Rock. In reading this I began asking Den questions in the article about health symptoms and he answered yes to almost all of them. I told him that he was possibly Gluten Allergic. It will take a move of God to change his eating habits. I call him the processed food king. If it does not come in a box he is lost. I have changed some of that but he is a hard nut.
I am tired of being tired. I really want to feel better and have a better quality of life. So much change is so overwhelming. I don't want to burn out. How do you find a happy medium? How do you change a little step at a time? Have you ever tried cutting out wheat? I looked in my pantry and wow, I would throw most of all of it away. I am trying to keep it simple. I eat the same things all the time. I do try new things and I add to my list of acceptable foods. However simple right now is better.
No matter what I do I Keep moving, that is what helps me get the weight off!

Does vacation mean a free for all?

So when you go on vacation do you take a break from diet and exercise? Most people do only to gain at least 10 pounds, then beat themselves up when they get home. I went on vacation last January. I live in an area that doesn't really have my favorite eateries. So when I went home I was ready to indulge. Well I quickly thought twice. I did have In & Out Burger but I only ate about half the meal. I ate at Cheesecake Factory. I ordered a Chicken Salad Sandwich, a salad with non fat dressing. I had the sandwich cut in fours and ate my salad first then one slice of the sandwich. I left the rest on the table and had no dessert. I did hit the treadmill that day as well. I went to Me n Eds Pizza where I ate salad and had part of a personal size pizza. I ran along the San Joaquin River in the rain. I went to La Boulangerie where I enjoyed coffee and an almond croissant on the patio. I did eat celery and carrots also. I did manage to lose a third of a pound. It was still a loss. I enjoyed myself but I didn't over do it. I still exercised. I made a lifestyle change. I am not just doing a short term diet. I am changing the way I think and the way I look at food. Also I have made exercise a part of my life. I have added it in my schedule. So when I go on vacation it is just another day in my life. I may make some different choices and I will adjust for the day however I am in this for the long haul. I want to have a better quality of life in my latter years. It is that important to me.
No matter what you do just keep moving!

So I'm not a scholar..this is about weight loss and getting healthy!

First off I know how frustrating it can be to read a post that has poor grammar and misspelled words. I apologize. I am the worst speller and I try really hard not to run on and on. I am writing this on an iPad and it spell checks me. If I get carried away and forget to pay attention to what I am typing, it will change my words. Sometimes not good. So I am sorry. Please bear with me, as I will improve.
I went to the gym this morning. Our weather is the pits! It was cold and rainy this morning. I did 30 minutes and burned 340 calories on the Elliptical. I love that machine now. I am just so happy that I can actually stay on it. It's just weird how when I start to exercise, no matter what I am doing, I just can't get going. I have a harder time in the first mile than in the last. Once I am in my zone I can go forever.
This Saturday is Den's 40th birthday. Since I live in. The real world, I had to think of him and what to do for him. I am running a 5K that morning. I did tell him that I was getting healthy so that we could have a long life together. Since he is thankful, it wasn't what he wanted for his birthday. I don't blame him. On Sunday's we have dinner at his grandparents. This Sunday I invited his cousins and their families and decided to order a cake. Yes a CAKE! I went to the fanciest wedding cake place in town, it is his 40th, he is having a hard time with this birthday. So I asked her if we could do Red Velvet (his fav) with buttercream tinted light brown with a out door theme of rocks and mountains with a stream. I took her a toy Jeep to add to the scene. Instead of "Happy Birthday" it is going to say "I ain't ready for the junkyard yet" haha. While I was there I was asking questions and making choices they wanted me to taste frostings. I know what they taste like thanks, no you need to try ours. Ugh! Ok a small taste. Cake really isn't my thing. Thankfully! I asked his grandma if she could pick up the cake for me so he doesn't see it, she asks me what would he like for dinner, he tells me LASAGNA..oh my..and he wants me to make it. Thats a problem! My husband loves my cooking. Hmm can I pull off turkey lasagna, whole wheat pasta, non fat ricotta with egg whites? IDK? If he doesn't see. I might be able to change some ingredients but not all. My solution is make two. One healthy one not so much. Lucky for him it's his birthday and I don't cook like that everyday. I know that in the real world there will be times when I will be eating an occasional meal that is not the best for me. It just means move forward. It's just a meal. It's not a free for all. Still portion control. Still calories. Whether it is a wedding or a birthday I will face those times. This is why I must Keep moving

Frustrated But working through it!

As we know life does not slow down for us! I have been juggling workouts with work. Trying to get enough sleep and take in proper calories and nutrition. I have been preparing for a 5K and hoping to finish faster than I did last time. At times I am so hungry I can't stand it. There are days that I burn 700-900 calories in training. That makes me hungry. I try and eat more protein and fiber to stay full, but that does not always work. Yesterday I did 3.68 miles and burned 700 calories on my morning workout and spent the day starving. I had whole grain cream of wheat with a banana pre work out 174 cal, 1 egg 1 slice whole wheat toast 2 slices lean bacon unsweetened ice tea post workout lunch 300 calories, fuji apple 70 calories snack, 1/2 lean hamburger patty grilled on 1/2 wheat bun with tomato, lettuce, dill pickle, mustard, sliced potato oven fries 354 cal dinner, almonds 127 cal snack. I was so hungry all artfully that I could have mowed through the kitchen all day. It was a good thing that we were not home! I am just so frustrated. I just don't know what to do to keep the hunger away. I fear that I will fall. I don't like that. I do not want to blow it. This might be normal to some who are used to working out. I am not that person. So what does a chronic over eater do in this situation? The old me would have just said screw it and headed for the drive thru line, but I am not the old me. I am however still learning. I will always be fighting.
Tomorrow it is going to be cold in the morning so I am going to the gym. I will be doing 3 miles on the elliptical. I am hoping to run outside by Thursday so that I will be better prepared for Saturday. My goal is 55 minutes. That is doable. The next will be May 14 and I hope that by that one I will down 12 pounds and I will finish in 47 minutes.
I am challenging you to set a goal, just a short term goal. Make it realistic then strive to achieve it.
While you are reaching your goal keep moving!

I have lost 52 pounds! I am on my way!

Since December 2 2010 I have lost 52 pounds. No quick fix! No miracle diet! Just plain old fashion diet and exercising! You have to burn more than you take in! You have to count calories and you have to MOVE YOUR BODY!
Cardio will burn the fat and build your vascular system and strengthen your immune system. It all works! Make time for you and exercise. You will love it! Well you will love the results.
Try it this week..keep moving!

You are what you eat..diet can control many diseases and disorders

We live in an age where we hear more and more about ADHD, ADD, Ticks, and Autism. there are many Medical professionals that believe we as a nation have are unhealthy based on what we eat. The level of preservatives in our diet is alarming. We are always in a rush to get the kids to practice and dance ECT and we live on drive thru food. The Doctors are more than ready to hand out pills for this and that. But what if you took a really hard look at what you are feeding your kids? What if you learned that your Childs diet was the culprit in causing that Vocal Tick that has been getting him/her detention, would you do everything in your power to change it? If you were told that cutting Dairy, Soy, Corn and Gluten out of your Childs diet would take care of their ADD ADHD would you change the diet of the family to help that child? In many cases this is exactly what is going on in many families today. Removing all these major factors from the Childs diet and replacing them with all natural preservative free foods will change their lives.
I would recommend a visit to a Holistic Dr for testing. This is for everyone. Find out all about your body from the inside out. Take the necessary supplements and enzymes. Build your diet around what they tell you. If you have an intolerance to gluten or dairy then cut it out. Take a bar of margarine and place it on your counter for a month. It won't change. It won't melt nor mold. Weird. What is it doing to your insides?
I have had this conversation with 2 parents who are doing just this with their kids to combat these issues, and it's working. I have read where Autistic kids are responding to diet changes. If you at the end and feel you have no other avenue, just try it. What do you have to lose?
Keep moving for your health

People piss me off...hello it's called an addiction!

I have no patience for ignorance. I was just on Facebook, I rarely ever pay attention to the all the Pages I have Liked. Anyway I saw something that caught my eye on Jason Aldeen's page. He posted a Video that was made to raise awareness for COPD. My dad died of COPD. I'm a little sensitive to the matter. I chose to read the comments. Well some idiot thought it would be cool to shown her intelligence by commenting "I am an RN people have COPD because they smoke and we are supposed to feel sorry for them?" well needless to say that struck a nerve. Even if you feel that way keep it to yourself. In watched my dad suffer and then die from this disease. Not good. He would have taken it all back if he could. I had to let her know just what I thought of her and that I doubt her job was an RN. Oh and that I thought she was a female dog. Sad as it is smoking is an addiction. We all know the warnings that it causes cancer, and low birth weight and on and on. Still a lot of people smoke. It's hard to quit. I myself don't smoke but my addiction is with food. I have turned to food for comfort and have used it to stuff feelings and on and on. Like any other addict we all know the risks. Heart disease, diabetes, stroke ECT. But we ignore it and hide. Unlike smokers food addicts can. Try and deny our problem. I was good at that. I would eat in secret. In my car. I wouldn't smell like food like a smoker would smell like cigarettes. I could pretend I hadn't eaten all day. I could not go into a store to pay for gas because I would buy chips and candy. I still have to pay at the pump. Like all addicts I have to know my triggers.
In April 2009 I was told, after a routine Doctor ap, that I had a heart attack. My GP sent me to a Cardiologist and they read my EKG and confirmed that yes that is what it says. I had a Nuclear Stress Test and Echo Cardio Gram and Blood Tests all to learn that no I had not had a heart attack my cholesterol was good blood pressure normal but my one valve was enlarged and there was a small amount of scar tissue on my heart. The Dr said that all of this was due to weight. If I lost the weight the valve would return to normal and the risk would lessen. I was scared. I started to eat right and I did everything that they told me to do. Then we moved. I became depressed and old habits came back and I started doing old behavior all over again. The risk to my health was not even enough to make me keep up the change.
The night that my dad died, 7 out of 9 people that were in his room lit a cigarette when we hit the parking lot. I yelled at all of them and told them how stupid they were that they all just watched my dad die from smoking related illness. I drove straight to Mc Donalds and drown my sorrows in a fish fillet.
Unlike other addictions, we all have to eat. It is knowing when not to eat that is the question. I have learned that food is fuel. It is not my comfort or my friend. It really isn't my enemy either.
I have had heartless people snicker and make rude comments behind my back about my weight. It doesn't feel good. You don't know what people are going through. I can guarantee you that anyone with an addiction does not want it. No matter what it is. I spent years hating myself and the way I looked. I wanted to be rid of this weight. I just did not know where to start. I now am on the right track but I will fight this everyday for the rest of my life. I will always be in recovery.
This is a very sensitive subject for me and I did not want to expose this side as it is personal. However ignorant people just irritate me. I just had to rant.
Thank you and this is why I Keep Moving..because don't take it for granted.

Am I hormonal or just plain losing it?!

In May I will be 43, yuk!! I'm sorry but I really do hate the fact that I am getting older. There are times when I actually forget that I am old, in my mind I am still 18ish. Maybe that is why I am pushing so hard to be athletic now before I completely fall apart. LOL!! Anyway, I have been having these days lately, more than I care to admit, that I just feel blah! Sometimes almost sad. For no reason! I ignore it and push past it. I find that I feel better if I workout on those days. There are times that I feel like I could just snap. I have to stand back and count to ten. As much as I hate to admit it I am probably on the verge of menopause. I have not had hot flashes just yet thankfully. I am going to break down and go to a local pharmacy that specializes in Biodentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. I think that I need to get tested. I remember when my mom went through this and I vow to not make my husband or co workers suffer. I can just feel the crabby (that is being nice) well up inside me. I hate it! I just want to run away from myself. Now it doesn't happen all the time. It kinda started yesterday and is still hanging around today. Little things irritate me like sand paper on my skin. I mean stupid little things. When I think about it, even I am like "really?" the last time I remember feeling like this was right before Christmas. Then it was uncontrollable crying for no reason. Now I can control the crying but everything makes me cry. I feel silly. I try and act like it's my allergies. Even if it isn't sad or tear worthy, I still cry. All of this behavior is just out of charachter for me. I just go from raging lunatic to crying fool in 2.5 seconds. I just don't know when it is going to hit. So lucky me I think that I am entering that stage yay! Hmph!

I hit my 2nd goal..yay

Goal 1 was the 5k and today I hit 50 pound weight lost. I have found that setting little goals along my journey is making the bigger picture not seem so big. In all my failed attempts at weight loss I was so overwhelmed by the larger scheme of it all that caved under the pressure. Early on this time I just set small more reachable goals. That way as I accomplish them I am pumped to take on the next. Goal 3 is the 5k on April 2 which by the way is Den's 40th birthday. I finished the last one in 58 minutes this one I hope to finish in 55 minutes. That is shaving a minute off of each mile. I actually hope to do better but I want to be realistic.
Keep moving and changing the way you look at food it works!

It's all relative..but wow

A calorie is a unit of energy. 3500 calories is equal to 1 pound of body weight. This is why to lose weight we need to take in less than we burn so we burn what is stored. When I started exercising I would come close to death and only burn 200 calories on the treadmill. So I quickly began to look at what I was putting in my mouth. So today I did this little equation
There are 3.4 calories in 1 Plain M&M Candy 17.6 Football Fields in a mile. If you walked a 26 minute mile you would burn 9.15 Calories in walking 1 football field. So are 3 M&M's worth a football field? When my friend Melissa runs a Marathon she burns 4500 calories. That is 26.2 miles in 5 hours of constant running. Thats 11:45 minutes a mile and 173 calories a mile. Yesterday I burned 570 calories on 2.87 miles walk/run and a 1 mile bike ride. I haven't been on a bike in years. Today I am sore, very sore! This information is nothing new to most people but it was a huge eye opener to me. The other day I was talking to a friend during our morning workout and she didn't know that a pound was 3500 calories. Today I saw the calorie value of an m&m and it made me think. Funny how my thoughts have changed. However if this is old news to you please forgive the redundancy. I am still trying to wrap my mind around how it takes me 3 grueling miles of sweat and agony to burn off the equivalent to a piece of chocolate cake. I hope you look at a football field and M&M's differently. LoL
Keep moving

Quinoa.. weird name awesome benefits

I like to add new items into my meal plan. Some things have been a hit and some not so much. Quinoa is one that has been a hit. Pronounced Keen-wah it's a small grain with a big punch of goodness. It is grain like and full of protein. Can be used for breakfast cereals, breads, salads, side dishes or main dishes. The possibilities are endless. It has a natural nutty flavor that is light so it picks up the flavors of the spices that you add to it very easily. Tonight I am making a Curried Quinoa with chili powder as a side dish with grilled chicken. I think that Dennis will eat that and not care that it is good for you. I am trying to get away from white rice and potatoes, Quinoa is a nice transition. If you have issues with Gluten, Quinoa is Gluten Free and very easy to digest. I am excited about just how good this is for you and all the ways that you can prepare it. Having a picky eating eater in my house it can be a challenge to get him to eat foods that are good for you and that taste good. When you only eat 1500 calories a day you want to make sure those calories are beneficial.
Try adding new items into your diet and mix up flavors to see what works. I like spicy and fresh. I use lemon and curry a lot. I love Red Roasted Curry. I am also breaking away from the salt shaker. I add spices for flavor. I use Turmeric with orange and thyme and tarragon with garlic. Play around some will be good but don't be afraid to experiment even if it bombs. Trust me it might bomb, even Paula Deen has had bad days.
And as always Keep Moving!

I am now down 49 pounds...yay

In 3 months and 18 days I have lost 49 pounds. I am super excited. I have done a 5k and have another coming up. I am running and today I bought a bike. My butt hurts real bad but I am going to keep going until it doesn't hurt anymore. A year ago I would have not believed I would be doing this. I have totally changed my lifestyle. A year ago I was having a hard time walking through the mall. My legs would hurt and cramp from lack of exercise. Until I changed my lifestyle I ate fast food everyday. I drank sweet tea and ate fried foods. I was taking in around 6000-8000 calories easy a day. I was killing myself. I wanted to change but I didn't know where to begin. I would start a diet and by dinner I was blowing it. I was hungry. I had been on every crazy diet and I knew that none of that stuff works. I just didn't know how to start. I read all the time. I still read every article I can on diet and nutrition. What do runners eat, what to eat to stay full, and so on. I am always learning.
No matter what you do though it's not rocket science. You have to burn more than you take in, however you do have to take in enough calories so that your body does not go into a starvation mode.
I look forward to exercise now. It's not my favorite thing. I like what it is doing for my body. I love when it's over! I can't go more than a day without it. I have always heard that if you do something for 21 days it will become a habit, so try it. Make exercise a everyday part of your lifestyle.
Keep Moving it really does help...it lowers cholesterol, reduces belly fat, and lower blood pressure.

Hello Spring!!!

I am so happy to see winter leave! I really didn't think that I was going to make it. I found out just how much I hate snow. I like to visit the snow covered places but I don't like living in it. I'm happy thatni don't live in Alaska. I am ready for spring weather. I love the cool mornings warm afternoons breezy evening. I really want a bike. I sat on one yesterday and I don't know if I am ready for that adventure yet. I don't think my rear could handle it lol. That is such a small seat. I really was never one that had to had the most expensive bike as a kid. Unlike Dennis. Apparently with boys bikes were a much bigger deal and price was a huge factor. When I suggested to Dennis that we go to Academy sports and buy bikes he said "no" he would not ride a bike from there. See at 40 it must be a big deal to not have a off brand bike either. He said that those bikes weigh too much and that makes a difference, I don't plan on carrying my bike down the road. He went to the local bike shop yesterday and found one that he likes for $500. I mean really. We are talking a Sunday ride through the park he is not Lance Armstrong. I have heard other men say the same thing. I just don't get it. It has wheels and rolls down the street. BTW we are now looking on craigslist and in the paper for a used bike for him.
Keep moving..enjoy the nice day

You have to eat to lose as weird as it is........don't starve yourself

Over the years I have heard some of the strangest diet plans from people. Some skip meals while some only eat candy, really! Cutting carbs, protein, calories, ECT is all good when done right. However you must eat! You need to find just what your body needs to survive daily. You need to determine what your caloric intake should be. If you exercise that needs to be taken in to consideration as well. I had to raise my intake by 300 daily after I started exercising. My body freaked out and I stopped losing weight. When iwas told to up my calories I said NO!! How could I add 300 calories a day and not cheat? That was crazy to me. After 3 weeks of a plateau I gave in and ate 300 more calories and the next day I lost 3 pounds.
If you are having a hard time getting the weight off look at your diet. Recalculate your calories and eat!
Most of all keep moving

I can't believe what they feed our kids!

Today I was talking to a client about school lunches. It has been awhile since I had to deal with that issue so I was unaware that there was still a problem. I thought that the lunch program had been revamped. I remember, while still living in California, that Gov Huckabee began lunch reform here in Arkansas. I was surprised when she told me the disgusting lunch she witnessed the school feeding her 6 year old yesterday at $1.50. It was a rotten banana ( no exaggeration) cold hard French fries, and a cold ham and cheese sandwich that was supposed to be warm. She said that she had wanted to pack her son a lunch everyday and he would protest stating that he would get less recess time. However after seeing that she has insisted to him that he will be taking his lunch from now on. She was apauld that the school would feed her son slop. Food that was ready for the trash. That is terrible. At $1.50 per lunch they can serve better food than that. When I was a kid I loved the lunches at school. We had hot food that was cooked on site. For some kids this is the only meal they may get until dinner. If a child isn't a big morning eater or maybe they only eat a snack in the morning. If they do have a good breakfast, kids play hard and they are growing. Some play sports and they may not eat a snack after school. What kind of nutrition is that? As parents we should make sure that our kids are eating proper, we also trust that the school that we intrust our kids welfare with is also feeding them proper food. That kind of lunch is empty carbs. That will burn off fast causing them to crash and leave them sleepy and hungry. They will be unable to pay attention. Processed cheese and processed ham is full of preservatives and artificial flavors, colors, and oils.
Unfortunately this is where it starts. Bad eating habits! I know that on nights when the kids have ball games it is easier to hit Mc Donald's than to cook something nutritious. I am not against the occasional mc treat. There are some that have turned dinner tine into drive thru time. It's just easier to get take out than cook ever. Our kids are fat and un healthy due to this. Obesity among our youth is on the rise. Don't get me going on video games lol. That is a whole other rant. When I was a kid my mom almost never took us to fast food. We ate so balanced. Nothing processed. Nothing boxed. Even cookies were homemade when we had them. Sweets were rare. Never had soda always water. I thought my mom was mean. She never told us why we ate that way. That is was for our health. That it was the right way to eat. So when I was on my own I went crazy. I ate fast food and did everything wrong. I suffered the ill effect of it also. I don't think that kids should be forced to eat all their veggies but there are so many ways to incorporate veggies into meals without them knowing. Be creative. The Internet is full of information.
If your kids are eating school lunches take a look at what they are eating. Make sure it's good food.
Keep moving

4:40am

I woke up today at 4:40am and met the girls for our morning routine. It was easier than I thought. It was the first one since the 5k and the time change. The best part was that after 38 minutes and 471 calories I was done for the day. That is awesome! I work long hours and book way too many clients, so by the end of the day I am tired. Knowing that my workout is done is priceless. I am not a morning person at all! The fact that I am doing this is nothing short of a miracle. So I know that if I can do it anyone can do it. Just take that step. Get up and move. Small steps at first are ok my first day was 15 minutes. Anything is better than nothing.
Add something new to your diet. Try couscous. It is good, it will pick up flavor from what you put with it. It is good for you. Quinoa is another good one. Venture outside of the box.

Spring forward....ugh

Is it just me me or is the time changing getting harder as we get older? I am having a very hard time with the Spring forward this time. I was off to a good start. Sunday was great. After the 5k Saturday, and waking up at the ridiculous hour that I did, I was dog tired that night so I crashed. I woke up at 6:30 and got out of bed at 7:00 Sunday made breakfast. I felt like I had this thing beat. WRONG!!! Sunday night I was well rested and could not go to bed. Same Monday. So this morning there was no way that I could get up. It was very cold so we cancelled our morning run but I was going to go the gym. That didn't happen. I hit the snooze button twice then reset the alarm. I absolutely have to be up at 4:45am tomorrow. So I have to get to sleep tonight. Why can't they just leave the time alone? Now in November I will be ready for that time change. I like the extra hour.
Since I have been running and walking in excess of 10 miles a week I find that I am starving some days. I have been playing with protein bars trying to find one that is high protein but tastes good. That is no small task. Really! who makes these things? Some are just gawd awful. I had one today that was like small pieces of styrofoam in my mouth. Millions of small pieces. Tasted like cardboard. Yuck. I love how they try and make them chocolate flaovred. Power Bar has one that Dennis said is a chocolate adobe brick. Low caorie high protein equals bad taste. I have found that power bar Pria 110 is do able, not that bad taste or texture and low calorie is good. Fiber One 90 chocolate peanut butter is very good. Low cal great taste and high fiber. It is so hard to find things to keep you satisfied and your hunger under control and still stay on your plan. I keep Blue Diammond Oven Roasted Almonds with Sea Salt in my car and protein bars in my purse and desk that way if I find that I am hungry I am prepared and less likely to go off and eat bad.
My main strategy is to always be prepared. I don't eat out much (except Subway) but when I do I already know what their menu hs to offer for low calorie selections. Every restaurant has their menu online and I look from my iPhone even in the parking lot. Applebees has a great 550 menu. Olive Garden has a good choice flow calorie choices. Their salad is awfully high in calories, but their soups are great. The minestrone only has 100 and the Zuppa Toscano has 170 that is my favorite. You can ask for no dressing on the salad and use lemon. If you are lucky enough to have a Chick fil A they have some good choices too. Their 8 piece Chicken nuggets
have 260 cal side salad 70 cal low fat berry balsamic vinaigrette (I use half) 70 cal that is a total of 400 calories for lunch. Input the chicken on my salod and it is great. It's skinless real chicken breast. I have only had it twice but likes having a place to eat that was fresh and good.
Well I must get to sleep so that I can drag my rear to meet my girls in the morning.
Keep moving and make good choices

Dennis is coming around...he is liking the new dinners...yay

I made Lentil's for dinner tonight with ham, carrots, celery, garlic, onion, tomatoes, and lots of spices Dennis loved it!! He actually said it was delicious! I also made oven roasted garlic and herb red potatoes. He said that he thought something called a Lentil would be so gross. Lol You have to know Dennis. He is a picky eater. He does not like veggies or anything healthy. He likes junk. Chocolate, pizza, chili, cheeseburgers, ice cream, and cookies it's a wonder he doesn't weigh 300 pounds. He has stomach trouble because of it though. I am glad that he likes the good food. Most of all he is willing to try it. He is surprising himself.
I did run in the 40 degree weather today it was HELL! I hated it but I was happy I did it. I only managed a mile but better than nothing. Tomorrow I am going to the gym since it will be in the 30's in the early morning. That is not for me!!!
If you haven't seen an episode of Heavy on A&E you need to watch them online. They are amazing. I love to see how people change and turn things around. It helps me stay motivated.
Try a new recipe tomorrow or change an old one to make it healthy. Eat an extra serving of veggies. Most of all keep moving.

ITS freezing today....ugh

I'm so tired of the Nasty weather. I am ready fir pretty green spring days. Today is grey and very cold but it is going to be 80 Saturday and Sunday yay!!! I am running at some point today and I am going to freeze. I forget to breathe or I hold my breath in this cold. I hate that. It hurts. I sound like a baby lol. It really does suck! However late in the hot summer I will be complaining about that too. I will be running on the treadmill then. There is nothing better than when the weather is nice and the breeze blows on my face and the sun shines on me. I love that. To hear the birds sing as if to cheer me on, my heaven.

Right back at it...Training that is

I did my first 5k yesterday however i am not stopping there. I am on to #2 in three weeks. On Den's 40th Birthday, April 2, I will participate in my next 5K.I am just as excited. This time I am kicking it up a notch. I am starting a 5 week Training Program for 5K and I will be in the third week of it at race time. I will do what I can. Even after that run I am not stopping. I have another 5K scheduled for May 14 which is just 2 days after my 43rd Birthday. I couldn't do this on my 23rd Birthday. I am so proud of myself. Today I have 139 pounds to go to my goal. I am fighting my way to that goal. I am so happy that I have a great support system and that I can be an inspiration to someone. This keeps me going. So thank you all for your kind words.

This picture is from 2009 and I was about 13 pounds heavier when I started my new lifestyle in December.
I DO NOT ever want to look like this again. This makes me sad. I have neglected myself for way to long. I am so happy that I finally woke up. The girl in that picture is miserable and in denial and is desperately wanting to change her life but has no idea where to begin. I am NEVER going to live looking in the rear view mirror again. I am accountable what what I know now and I am no longer in denial. I now have the tools that I need to not only get the weight off but change my health for the better and improve my life. I am going to live out loud!!
Keep moving and together we will reach our goals

Yummy healthy Pancakes

Like everyone else I like good tasting food. The hardest thing about dieting is eating! Most people quit because of hunger and the food just plain sucks!! Well I have made a life change so I decided that I was going to still eat the things that I like from time to time I was just going to make them healthy. Dennis actually does like these too. This morning I made Wheat Pancakes with Berries and Cool Whip. I used my usual recipe I just used better ingredients. I have added the link to my recipe that I put on www.sparkpeople.com so that you can see the nutrition breakdown. I did use less oil this time which will cut even more fat and calories and I used Blue Diamond Almond Milk unsweetened for even less calories. None of the flavor is lost and you will feel you are cheating. I am usually not a Cool Whip Fan but with the Sugar Free version, I feel that I get a treat. With Berries it's not bad. I have added a picture of my actual breakfast this morning.

I made the Pancakes a little smaller so I would consider this 1.5 servings
1/2 c Fresh Blueberries
1/4 c Fresh Strawberries Cut up
1 Tblspn Truvia Sweetener
1/4 c Sugar Free Cool Whip
278 Calories
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1516434

I crossed the finish line

Today I accomplished my  first goal. I completed a 5K and I crossed the finish line walking upright. I did 3.1 miles in 58:10 I had the worst pain in my right foot. My toes were in agony. Felt almost like they were asleep but they hurt very bad! Weird. I pushed through. My girls did awesome!! They finished in 47 minutes! All of our hard work paid off. However as we can bask in the after glow of this personal victory we hit the training again next week as we are on for a second 5K in 3 weeks. I hope to cut that time down and also my weight. I am really liking this. I never thought I would but it's self gratifying knowing that I can do this!! In such a short time I accomplished this!! That feels good...YAY ME!!
Keep Moving!! Get off the couch and move..If I can you can

I don't freaking believe this!!!

Since 2:07am I have been wide awake!! For no apparent reason I just woke up! Then tossed and turned finally my stomach started to growl and I figured this is pointless! I got up. Any other day this would be fine but in 4 hours I have to run in a 5K then I have to work for 6 hours. I am going to crash!! Right now I am the opposite of tired. I might of had 4 hours of sleep and I feel like I slept 9. I am AWAKE!! Weird!! I ate some plain pasta. Needed to spike my blood sugar and hopefully get some glucose in the muscles, if not for today's run then for later when I am working. It sounds good anyway.It's going to be a long day!!

Tsunami

I arrived at work bright and early at 7am then learned of the devastating Tsunami that hit Japan. I was in shock to hear that it was heading for the California Coast line. In fear of my family members safety I called my sister at 5:20am Pacific Time she was less than pleased with me for her early morning wake up call. I am very sad for the people of Japan but relieved that my family was spared. Keep the Japanese in your prayers.
As of today I have lost 48 pounds. This week I have battled borderline starvation! LOL I can only think that I must have really kicked up my metabolism with all the training I have done. I am eating lots of fiber, good carbs, and proteins. I don't eat sugar and foods that would make you hungry. I burn a lot of calories a week. I carry Fiber one 90 Bars and Almonds in my car. I limit myself to one of these in the morning before my workout and then one in the afternoon if needed. Today a client told me of a delicious lunch from Olive Garden. Seafood Brodetto it is 480 calories and its Talapia, Shrimp, Scallops, Mushroom, Spinach, and Tomatoes served with Sourdough toast (no pasta) I added Minestrone for 100 calories.  Since I had a crazy busy day I ate my soup but brought the rest home for dinner. I have the 5k tomorrow so I felt it important to have pasta tonight, I added spaghetti to my seafood and ate only a fourth of the serving and passed on the bread. I have to say it was very good!! I did add Romano cheese to it. Overall I think that I did very good. I have more than enough for dinner tomorrow and I only added 52 calories with the spaghetti.
I will be posting pics of the run tomorrow and my stats. I am nervous but I am ready.
God Bless, Keep moving!!!

Oh no!! Runners Feet!!!

Well not exactly, I discovered a callous on the tip of my middle toe that is new. I am a Nail Tech and very anal about my feet. I have for years been able to tell if someone was a dancer, runner ect by the condition of their feet. Mostly the Toenails or lack of. They have ridges or the nail just will fall off due to constant rubbing on the shoe. I have noticed that my toe felt odd but I didn't look at it until tonight. I will be getting out the Pedi Egg in a moment and riding my foot of that. LOL That is such a new development for me. Other than a blister from new shoes, but a callous from running/walking haha. That is cool!! I am tickled sorry.
Well I have to work early (7am) so its the gym at 5am which means that I am off to bed!!
Good night all...Take the stairs or park your car a little further from the door a few more steps will do you good!!!
Keep Moving!!!