Welcome! Thank you for joining me as I blog my 'weigh' to a healthier me. I pray I will be of encouragement to you to reach your goals! Please feel welcome to become a follower - I'd love the encouragement. If you add me to your blog roll, please let me know so I can reciprocate.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Take THAT Hungries!

I like to do my exercising in the morning.  I like to get up, brush teeth and all of that sort of thing and then go right into doing my LS DVD.  By the time I get into mile 2 I'm usually fully awake ; )
Today, I just couldn't do it.  I was too tired after a busy night at church last night. (What a party girl, I know!)  So I kind of figured that the day was a wash for exercise.
As the day went on I started to feel like a major case of the 'hungries' was coming on.  You know, when you eat... and eat... and then you eat... but you're still hungry.  I hadn't gone overboard at all, but I could feel that that's where the day was going.  I wasn't about to let that happen, so..what to do?
You got it!  I popped in my LS DVD and just did 5 miles sistahs!!  (That's 12 miles for this week so far. I've already reached my weekly goal!!)  Now I know I won't eat and eat and eat.  After I worked that hard, I know there's no way I'm gonna throw it away by eating too much.

It's time to drink some more water!!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Week 40

Last week was a breakthrough week for me.
I have always struggled with exercise, but I really feel like I've found a good nitch.
Long story short, I did a total of 18 miles with Leslie Sansone! 18 miles!!!
AND, my eating was really good too.
Great eating and exercise week - do I hear the halleluja chorus?!
I sometimes feel a little nervous to be honest, that this will just be a phase.  This fitness won't last.  But I am going to do everything I can to ensure that it is a lasting change and not a passing fad!!

I'm not gonna sugar coat this, when I weighed in this morning I really wanted to kick my scale to the curb!!  According to MY scale, I had only lost a pound. Ok, now before you start singing the praises of a pound, please realize that normally I wouldn't be sad about a pound - but seriously, I think my scale is messing with me!!
According to the scale at the Choose To Loose group I've been going to since the end of August I have lost 6 pounds (not including this week - last weigh in with them was on 9/16).  During that same time (end of August to Sept. 16th) my scale said I had only lost 1 pound??  Now after exercising my butt off (ok, that's an exageration - this girls got back and plenty of it!!!) and eating really well it says I've only lost a pound.  I seriously think it's time I purchased a new scale.  One that wont mess with my head.  I know a scale is not the only measure, but I sure as heck think it's important to have one that is actually in good working order.  I'm really anxious to see what the other scale will say when I go on Thursday night.

Last week I also had the program at church I have been talking about and it was a big sucess!!  Everyone had fun and the gals that did the skit with me were amazing.  The message God had me give went over very well too and we had a woman accept Christ as her savior - Praise God!!!!
I got a call this afternoon as I was rushing to finish my chores and get dinner done early as we had a Scout Den meeting tonight from the president of the women's ministry group of the church I was to speak at on Saturday.  She was calling to cancel the talk.  I totally understood the situation, but I was/am seriously disappointed!!  They may re-book but it wouldn't be until sometime in February.  I'm disappointed both for not having the opportunity to speak to this group of ladies that I have never met as well as the money, to be honest.
I have felt led by the Lord to workin women's ministry almost since the day I became a Christian over 18 years ago.  He has slowly brought me along and I am now feeling like He may be calling me into ministry on a larger scale than just (and I don't mean "just" as a slight) a women's ministry leader at my church.  I think I'm being called to speak and teach.  I had lady after lady come up to me after the event Friday telling my how much I had touched them (I know it was God working through me, it's definitely not me!) and telling me I should be doing this professionally.  I feel as thought their encouragement is affirmation as to what I think the Lord has been trying to say to me.  To all of you praying gals out there, please be praying for the Lord's direction in my life and that I would be sensitive enough to follow His lead!

My goals for this week:
continue to eat healthy
do at least 12 miles of exercise
get all of my water in
daily quiet time

It's time to get to bed!
Have a good week everyone and keep making good choices :)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Two Yummy Recipes

Ok folks, get your pointer fingers ready to click n' copy these super delish recipes below!

Both of these recipes were given to me by Laurie, the co-leader of the short term healthy lifestyle group called "Choose To Loose" that I've been attending.  This group was started by Laurie and another gal named Victoria as a result of talking with some other ladies at their churches' Ladies Retreat.  You see Laurie and Victoria had each lost a significant amount of weight (60 lbs + for Laurie) and they have each kept it off.  Now they have gotten together to share what they have learned from their experiences with other ladies who also wish to get healthy.  These meetings are held at another woman's house (thank you Ellen!) where we have a confidential weigh-in followed by a 'class' where these fit sistah's share some of what they have learned with different theme's each week.  This particular session will meet a total of 5 times over I believe an 8 week period.  Next Thursday will be our last weigh-in.  There was a one time small fee to join the group and at the end the ladies with the top 3 percentages of weight loss will win cash prizes!!

Last week the AMAZING Laurie made a whole days worth of food for us to try to show us that healthy can taste great!!  I tried making two of her meals this week as you will see below.  I am posting the ingredients and the nutritional information that I've come up with.  Here we go...

"Quick and Creamy Mac N' Cheese"
(I call this Cheesy Butternut Pasta so my kids won't expect traditional mac&cheese)

16 oz medium shell pasta (whole wheat)
1 pkg frozen butternut squash, thawed
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk (fat free)
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (reduced fat)
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

1. Cook pasta.  Carefully remove 1/4 cup of the cooking water for later use. Drain pasta and place in casserole dish.
2. Prepare sauce.  Place thawed squash in a saucepan, gradually add milk, whisking constantly.  Cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until mixture begins to simmer.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add cheese; cook 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture retuns to a simmer, whisking constantly.  Add nutmeg, salt and reserved cooking water.  Stir until smooth. Add sauce to pasta, mix to coat.
3. You can put this into the oven for a few minutes to toast the top (especially if you decide to add extra cheese, panko crumbs, crushed light crackers, etc...).
4. Makes 6 servings, may top with a sprinkle of additional nutmeg.

* Laurie topped hers with a little plain Panko crumbs.
* Hubby didn't love it as is, I added some shredded cheddar to his.  Next time I think I'll make it with 1 cup Italian cheese and 1 cup cheddar.
** Even my boys enjoyed this!!!

Personally, I found 1/6th to be too generous a portion for us so the nutritional values you'll see following are for 1/8th servings.
calories: 332.5
fat: 5.8
dietary fiber: 7
carbs: 57
protien: 20
cholesterol: 10


Southwestern Sloppy Joes

1 Tbs. Canola oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 carlic cloves minced
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 lb lean ground turkey (99%)
1 (11 oz) can of Mexican style corn, rinsed and drained
1 (16 oz) jar of Salsa (no sugar added such as Chi-Chi's)
1 Tbsp packed dark brown sugar
1 pkg Light Whole Wheat Hamburger rolls

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Swirl the oil then add the onion and garlic.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes.
2. Add the chili powder and oregano and cook 1 minute more.
3. Add the turkey and corn and cook until the mixture is nearly dry, about 4 minutes.
4. Stir in the salsa and sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thinchened and the turkey is cooked through, 4-5 minutes longer.
5. Spoon over the opned rolls and serve.

Can I just start by saying that I LOOOOOOVE this!!  It is so yummy and I promise you that no one would ever eat this and think, "oh gosh, this is healthy stuff" - it's just delish!!
I have no tips or adjustments to make to this - it's perfect.  I will say that the hubs added a little salt.

According to our serving sizes, we could get about 10 sandwiches out of this.  The nutritional values below include the sloppy joe mix along with a light wheat hamburger roll.
calories: 205
fat: 3
dietary fiber: 3.46
carbs: 30.17
protien: 14.94
cholesterol: 28

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Laurie for these wonderful recipes!! Can't wait to try to make the others you shared.  And thank you to you, Victoria and Ellen for all that you do to encourage us all to live a healthy life!!!

Blog Hop

It's Blog Hop time!

If you'd like to join in, please go over to Diminishing Lucy.
Looking forward to reading some new blogs!
Have a great day everyone!!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Oh Ya I Did!

I can't believe it, but I did it!

I did the whole 5 mile fat burning program today. All 5 miles!!

I even did every high impact boost for the last few minutes of each mile!!

I never thought that I could do anything for 5 miles.. Except maybe eat my way through a 5 mile long buffet. But alas, I have!

Can't do it every day as it takes an hour. But if I can continue doing the 3 miles and do 4-5 miles once or twice a week I will be happy. It's so empowering just knowing that I can do it!!

Now, if someone could please just notify my scale and tape measure of all of the exercise and healthy eating I've been doing I'd be most appreciative. They just don't seem to be quite on board with all of this. I know. I know. It will come eventually. And yes, I am reaping the benefits in other ways I know.
It would just be rather swell if all components could recognize all of this hard work!!

In any case; I did it and I'm proud of myself!

5 MILES - woo hoo!!!

It's time to get back to reality and go clean the toilette before I think too highly of myself.

:)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Week 39

Week 39 and I'm feeling fine!  Great actually!

This past week has been really good.  The boys are settling into a good routine with school.  I got a lot done with the couple of hours I get to myself each morning. (See my cabinet cleaning project on my other site).  I have finally (read: FINALLY) finished writing the 'talk' portion for Friday nights women's ministry event at my church. (Are you in Massachusetts?  Then come to FBC in Hanson on 9/24 @7pm for a fun and uplifting evening with the girls! Contact me for details.)

Now as far as food and exercise go - what a week!  I had a really great week!!  I did 30 min. of cardio 5 days and went from 2 miles a day to 3 of low and high impact aerobic activity!!  I'm still so stinkin' proud of myself.  My back is still achy, but I'm gonna keep moving!!

Thanks to Natalia I was able to find out approximately how many calories I burn while doing the DVD.
358 Calories burned doing 3 miles on the Leslie Sansone Fat Burning "walk".
http://healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc
I tell ya though, it feels more like I burn a thousand calories with all of the sweat that's dripping down me when I'm done!

I weighed in this morning at 1 pound less than I was last week.  This is good, but frustrating.  I am in need of a new scale.  In 3 weeks I lost 3.8 pounds according to the nice shiney digital scale at the short term group Choose to Loose I've been apart of.  But my scale only says 1 pound (as it said I had stayed the samer previously).  Grrrr.  I feel like I really have no idea what I weigh - but the good news is, regardless of the difference both scales agree I'm on the way down!

I took my measurements today too to see if that could offer me more encouragement than my mean scale.  The results...ehh.  When I think of the parts of my body that really need to loose the lbs my mind goes to my stomach, but, legs, etc.., but not to my neck.  I guess I have a fat neck.. who knew? (please do not insert smart-alec comments here).  I have lost a half an inch from my neck since July.  Weird, but good.  Then a spot that does really need to have some major shrinkage did have a nice down-sizing; my hips.  My hips shrunk by 1.25 inches.  I'll take it!!  My husband keeps telling me that my legs look smaller but my measuring tape told me this morning that it's all in his head.  Maybe they're just really getting toned. Yup, that's what I'm going with!

I will post either later today or tomorrow the pics and recipe for Cheesy Butternut Pasta.  I made it yesterday, it was good, but I'll make some minor adjustments next time.  The hubs thought it was ok, but my two boys gobbled it up!

It's time to get back to cleaning out my lower cabinets.  I swear I'm waiting for Jimmy Hoffa to come crawling out! (sorry, I know you youngins won't catch that reference)

Have a wonderful week folks and keep making good choices!!!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

3 Miles!

3 miles!
I did 3 miles today with the Leslie Sansone fat burning DVD!!!
I was only planning to do 2 (that's the highest I've done previously) but then thought that I just wanted to see what mile 3 was like.  Well I was already standing (barely, as I had given miles 1 and 2 my all) so I thought, ok, I'll do another 1/2 mile.  But next thing I knew, she was saying that it was time for the end of the mile blast!  Wooo hoooo!!!
I wish I knew exactly how many calories are burned doing her work out.  She calls it a 'walk', but it totally is not a 'walk'.  It's aerobics but it goes from "low impact" to "high impact" so not sure how to figure it.
But in any case I did it.  3 miles in 35 minutes and I have the sore muscles and headache to prove it.  But I feel great!!

It's time to get the boys to their soccer games!
Have a great weekend everyone!!

Friday, September 17, 2010

My Back Is Saying, "You Deserve a Break Today"

I'm taking today off.
From cardio that is.  I feel guilty even though logically I know that I shouldn't.
I have done four days in a row of mid/high impact aerobics totalling about 7 miles.  Not huge for some of you I'm sure, but for me this has been a nice step up; especially where I've gone from low up to mid & high impact.
Yesterday afternoon and this morning my lower back has been a bit achey and my feet are hurting a wee bit.  I'm taking this as a sign that my body needs and eentsy weentsy break from the routine I've been doing.  Or it's a sign I'm getting old.  Hmmm.  Let's go with option one, it sounds much better!

I'm not taking the day off completely though as I'll be rolling out the ole' exercise ball and my 4 lb. hand weights when the boys head off to school to do some crunches and arm toning.  I don't dare take the ball out in their presence as a fight always insues as they see who can do the most life-threatening moves on the sphere of death.  Seriously!  "Watch, I can roll over head first and then fall down the stairs."  Why is it that I've got so many grays?

I went to my Choose To Loose group last night (only one more meeting).  It was a great meeting!  The co-leader made all of these super yummy and healthy (Stop the press! Did I write those two words "yummy" & "healthy" in the same sentence? YES!!) foods for us to try.  I will be making these and as I do I'll take pictures and post the recipes.  One is for a delicious alternative to a traditional mac and cheese using butternut squash.  Oh my gosh - it's fabulous!!!!!!!
The surprise of the night however, was that I lost weight!  It's been three weeks since I've weighed in with the group (it doesn't meet every week) and their scale said that I lost 3.8 pound!  Woo hoo!!  Now why does my scale keep saying that I've stayed the same?... I think my scale has a cruel sense of humore.  Next week I'll take some measurements as I haven't done that in a few months.

I signed on to make one quick post and now look!  It's like going into WalMart, you can never just go in for one quick thing, you come out with lots more stuff you don't really need.

It's time to get this day rolling!  Lots to do including putting the finishing touches on my talk part of the 24th event.  Dress rehearsal tonight!!  Have a great day!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Now I'm Moving!

What a great start to my day!

I did 2 miles with LS doing both low and high impact cardio.  Worked up a great "glow" and then explained to my boys why I was so out of breath (I left out the old and flabby part though).
Then I hoofed it down to drop off a friend's sweat shirt and on to the post office.  What a glorious day!!  The sun is shining and the air is cool.
For this is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!  Amen

It's time to now tackle cleaning out my kitchen cabinets.  Not quite so much fun, but it will sure feel great when it's done!  Thanks for the motivation Domestic Engineer!!

Have a great day!! :)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Week 38

No ups. No downs, just holdin' steady.
This isn't a mystery.  One day I do great, the next day, not so great.  But I'm not gaining!!  And more importantly, I'm not giving up!

Ok - review time!  I have tried a new Leslie Sansone workout DVD, 5 Mile Fat Burning Walk.  Before today I had only done one mile as I've been both pressed for time and completely out of breath by the end of mile one.  These "walking" miles are revved up on this DVD - "fat burning walks" that are now kicked into high impact.  It's great!!  When I would do her "Walk The Walk" video I could do 2 miles, work up a sweat but really wouldn't be out of breath - but this one, wooo.  But can I just say that as I go into the jogging part that I feel as if I should be able to simply unzip and step out of the fat suit that is jiggling up and down with each step!  Each time I do it I guess I need to look at it as a few more notches being unzipped on that suit, right?  Well today I decided that I wanted to just 'see' what mile two looked like and to my delight, I did all of mile two remaining at the high impact level!!  I think I actually preferred the second mile to the first.  How long before I can do all 5 miles?  Not sure if that's a matter of physical fitness and endurance or a measure of how long my boys will allow me to have that time to myself.

I also have been trying a new Tortilla (new to me - suggested by short term weight loss group I've been going to e/o Thursday).  They are super yummy (really!) and only 80 calories, 3 g fat, 0 cholesterol, 18 g carbs, 12g dietary fiber! and 8g of protein per tortilla. SCORE!  So what, they're like the size of a Reece's right? (sure, I had to bring chocolate into it!) No, they are really a good size and take up most of a dinner sized plate.  You can find them usually near your deli, but not on the rack that's just underneath the deli display case.  Usually in a wire rack thingy nearby.
Have I told you much about the talk I'll be giving on the 24th?  Well actually, it's more like three skits with talks in-between each.  It's a spoof on the Price Is Right called What'$ It Worth?!  Each silly round will be an introduction/spring board for each point that I will speak on; Having the Joy of the Lord, God's Word is Truth and Salvation.  We had rehearsal on Sunday evening and we laughed and laughed.  How exciting it is to see this idea that God have given me about two years ago coming to fruition.  Would you please pray for me that this event would come together to give glory to God and that He would bring out the ladies He wants to hear the message.  Also pray for all of those in the performance and me as the speaker.  I pray that I would say nothing other than what the Lord would have me say.

I am also begining to prepare for a talk I will be giving at another church in October for their ladies breakfast.  It will be on walking with the Lord.  This will be my first time speaking to ladies that I totally don't know.  But they are sisters-in-Christ and so I'm sure I will feel very welcome and at home.

Thank you all so much for your continued support and encouragement!!

It's time to get  a whole buncha work done!!
Have a great week and make good choices! :)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Thanks For The Award and Passing It On


Thank you to Margene at Believing It's Possible for presenting me with this Cherry On Top award!
Margene and her husband have been on a weight loss journey together and she has lost over (are you ready for this?) 90 pounds!!  Amazing, right?  Well she is amazing and I'd like to thank you Margene for being such a huge encouragment to me!!  Please check out her blog if you'd like to be seriously encouraged!

Ok, so the deal with this award is that I need to:


1. Answer the question: If you had one chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

For the most part I do not spend time on regrets or wishing for do-overs as I feel everything in our past, even our heartaches and failures have contriubted to forming who we are today.  But, that being said, I do infact have one thing I regret and that is that I do not have a college education.  If I could do one thing over, I would have started college when I was about 19 and was in a position to be able to work and pay for my own education.  I know there's still time, but with two young children and no extra money... Well, I wish I did it back then.

2. Pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have been selected for the award.


1.Melissa at For a Fat Girl.

2. Sam at Believe In Yourself

3. Traci at Traci's Treasures

4. Kristin at Time For A Change

5. Ashley at The Opposite of Thin

6. Hiedi at Believing In Me And Breaking Free


3. You have to thank the person (people) who gave you the award.
Thanks again Margene!!  You have such a gift of encouragment, thank you for sharing it with me and so many other bloggers! Your story is so inspirational - keep rockin' it girl!!!

Week 37

Oh my goodness, write me up I'm late again!

I've been so side tracked this week.  My baby started Kindergarten this past Tuesday.  Where in the world does the time go?  It seems like one day you're yelling "Calgone!" when you walk in to find your once sleeping baby on top of the changing table covered from head to toe in Vaseline and then the next day you're sending them off on that big yellow scarey contraption otherwise known as the school bus.  Woosh!!.
Here's a picture of my adorable little Dennis the Menace (my sister's nickname for him - all in love!!) while waiting for the school bus.
Love our driver, but the bus just makes me nervous.  Always hear stories of kids being left on or some such thing.  Before you tell me it's not a realistic fear, let me just share that I had to chase the bus down last year to get my older son off and yesterday one of my best friends had to chase the bus to get her Kindergartener off!! It does happen!  But, thankfully I can be there to get them off so I'll be there with running shoes on should the need present itself :)

What else have I been doing this week?  Writing and writing..  I have two talks coming up.  One on the 24th at my home church where I need to write a three act script along with my three points of discussion: The Joy of the Lord, God's Word is Truth and Salvation.  This should really be a fun event!!  I don't want to give much away in case any of the gals from church should read this - but it will be unlike anything else we've ever done!!  I have completed the script, please pray for God's guidance as I write on the three discussion points above.
Then I have anothet talk on Oct. 2nd where I will be speaking at a woman's breakfast at a church a few towns away.  They have not given me any directive, I am to speak on what God gives me.  I think I know the direction to go in, but would love some prayers for guidance.
As far as both talks go, I pray that I would just be a vessel that God would use and that any of my own quirks, etc.. would not hinder the ladies from hearing what God has to say to them.  I am terrified and honored to be called to this ministry.  God is amazing!!

Along with all of this, I'm still job searching.. Sigh!  But again, God is good and He will provide!!

Ok, health wise...
Last week I had a fantastic week!!  I ate great and tracked (started having salads again which quite frankly I had taken a hiatis from for about a month), drank plenty of water and did 4 cardio workouts.  I felt great!!!!  Then the weekend came... Ok, I just jumped into the feed trough whole hog!!  I had ice cream, pasta with cream sauce, (are your arteries hardening just reading this?).. Not good.  But thankfully, Monday started a new week and I've been back on track.  I really need to put time aside for workouts again though.  If anthing, it would probably help me to think more clearly as I read, study and write!  I purchased a new Leslie Sansone DVD the other day.  Haven't tried it out yet, but I'll be ready to review it for next week.

This week for some reason I've been on a big Egg Beaters with broccoli kick. Soooo yummy and filling!  Give it a try, or jazz up your eggs with other veggies.  Also been diggin some sliced bananas and strawberries together. Again, super filling and very sweet!  At night I've enjoyed dipping pretzels into a wedge of Laughing Cow light cheese.  You get 20 mini pretzels in a serving (nice generous portion size!) for 110 calories and 0 fat!  Then Laughing Cow (still really not sure what these bovine find so humorous??) is just 35 calories a wedge and 1.5 g of fat!  Ahhh... Life is good.

To be honest, I didn't weigh this week.  I'd do it now, but where it's later in the afternoon I've already had breakfast, snack, lunch.. and I typically weigh first thing in the morning.  I'm so sad, I'll just wait until next Monday (mwahhhahhhahhh).

Today I actually have two sick boys on my hands so I'm off to offer a little tlc.
I hope you all have a great week!!

It's time to go read to my little men.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Week 36

Hi folks!  Sorry I'm so late posting this weeks update.  It is a crazzzzzy busy week and I'm on the run.

It has been a great week - good food choices, drinking plenty of water (the heat wave here in the North East has been ensuring that!), I've done 3 cardio workouts this week (not including the race between schools, store, church, dentist, etc...), and I'm doing pretty ok (read 6 hours) on sleep.
The scale is holding steady, but I'm sure it will pan out by next week.

I'm so sorry for the short update!  I'll catch you all up when I've got a minute.

Prayer Requests Please:
1.  Please pray that God would guide me as I prepare for two talks I have coming up; one at my church on the 24th and another at a church in a neighboring town that called me to speak at their ladies breakfast on Oct. 2nd.  I know God has called me to this ministry, but I still get a little nervous.  Thank you God for using me for your service!
2. Please pray for gainful employment for me.  Having a hard time finding something that will work around the kids (if I'm paying for day care I wont be bringing anything home).  Sent off 3 more applications this week.  I know God has a plan and will care for us, just praying for peace as I wait for His plan to be revealed.

Have a wonderful week everyone!!
It's time to help my son, then attack the laundry, bring paper work to church.....