Bad Choices or No Choices?

First off - thanks so much to all of you gals who were so kind to leave words of encouragement last week.  I can't tell you how much it means!!

This morning as I was packing my older son's lunch/snack bag for school I was thinking of the things I needed to get done today:
put away laundry (don't mind the washing/drying/folding but it's the putting away that I don't like - anyone else?)
finish preparing for Bible study tonight (leading a great group of gals through the book of Philippians)
wash floors (I'm sorry floors I've neglected you)
spend time with boys!! (needs to be a priority - easy to get 'busy' with other stuff that's not nearly as important)
schedule eye appointments (I think/hope we are done with snow - I've made 3 appointments and had to cancel due to snow each time)

and so on...

But as I was in my thinking haze, I sort of.. came to.  As I did I realized I was stuffing my face full of popcorn - finishing up what was left in the bag I had popped for my son's snack.  Now popcorn isn't terrible, but the thing is I wasn't even really aware I was doing it.  It's not like I looked at it and made a choice that I wanted to eat it - that it was worth the calories for me first thinkg in the morning.  It was midless eating.

This whole 'mindless eating' thing has become a big problem for me lately.  It's one thing when you make a choice - good/bad or indifferent.  At least you thought about it and can then either say, 'yay me - nice job' or 'oh gosh, better think twice about doing that again - better choice next time.'  But when you eat mindlessly.. well... I guess I find that far more frustrating than making a bad choice because it's like I gave myself no choice at all.

I need to re-train myself to make sure I think before I eat another bite!  I don't want to keep packing pounds back on because I daze out and shove things into my mouth without a thought.
This is my main goal for this week.

I will think before I eat!

Gonna weigh in shortly.  Haven't done that in quite a while.  I need a base from which to start.  I'll face it, wipe away the tears, and use any sadness or frustration I feel to become a positive to encourage me to press on!

Tomorrow I will write about what inspires me to want to do this.  To make taking care of myself a priority.

It's time to get #1 son off to school.  Have a great day everyone and make good choices!!

Weekly Ceck-In, yeah!

Well let me cut to the chase folks..
If my scale can be trusted, I lost 4 pounds this week!
It feels good to be on the down slope again!!

I need to get exercise back into my routine... but my life isn't really routine at the moment.
I'm continuing to run back and forth to visit my poor aunt.  She is going very slowly. She's fighting it for all she is worth; all 71 pounds of her.  She breaks my heart.

On a positive note, I've been rediscovering healthy foods I love.  No clever recipes to share at the moment, just yummy snacks like low fat peanut butter in celery and adding a wedge of Laughing Cow to my baked potato - yummmmm!!

Working on getting my water consumtion up again too. 

Ok - sorry, quick post this time.  IT's TIME to go volunteer at my son's school

Have a great day everyone!
Keep making good choices!!

Bellissimo!

It's amazing to me how when you stop eating.. you know, everything in sight, food tastes better.

When you are being selective about what you are eating and then taking the time to eat properly and not shovel it in as you do a hundred other things you allow yourself to actually experience the food.

You can savor each flavor...
explore each texture...

Taking the care to prepare fresh meals helps to give me a better appreciation for food.

Bellissimo!

Bacon!

I love me some bacon!!

I don't eat it though.  This is a massive trigger food for me!

If someone were to say to me at a brunch, "Would you like some bacon?"  My response would be, "Oh sure I'd love a little. You can just put a pound right here next to the pineapple, I'm eating light."

So in celebration of this yummy food that I must avoid, here's a little comedy clip about the scrumptious, salty treat.  There is some very mild language in this (almost not worth mentioning really).

I hope it gives all you bacon lovers a chuckle!!

1st Weekly Check-In of the Year!

Happy 2011 folks!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years, we sure did!!  In fact, a little too good if you know what I'm saying.  I swear the scale laughed at me this morning!!  Well the joke will be on the scale next Monday!! (and I don't mean me standing on it..)

I let myself go over the last few weeks, but I'm ready to get back to business and I'm feeling really good about it.  The thing with indulging with foods and getting off the exercise track is in the very short term you feel good.  You enjoy the flavors and the relaxation you may be basking in rather than getting some calories burned, but these pleasures are very short lived.

After a few weeks of this and I feel like a slug.  My energy is shot, my pants are tight, and I feel like a blob.  Not good.  Why would I choose that?  Seriously?

Well I'm ready to go back to my  'non-blobbiness'.  I started the day with a 1/2 cup of egg beaters, a slice of tomato, a 1/2 slice of cheese and a 1/2 of a sandwich thin.  Yummy, filling and nutritious and only 153 calories!  Great start to the day!

I am currently in the process of bloging about my word for the year.  I have done this for the past three years.  The first year my word was Simplify, then Organize and last year was of course, FIT.  Fit stood for many things but primarily I wanted to 'fit' myself back into my life and as a result this blog was born to help me to do that.

I would like to thank each of my readers, especially you gals who take the time once in a while to leave me a note of encouragement, support, suggestions and such - it means so much!!!
I'll be sure to post my new 'word' once I've finished writing.

Wishing you all much happiness, good health and success with all of your goals in the new year!!
God Bless!!
diane :)

It's Time for me to go volunteer at my older son's school....

Stress Eating

Stress eating!!!

Between my uncle's death and now a very sweet beautiful lady from our church passing I am just not feeling with the program!
I've been stress eating and then as a result of feeling guilty about it I then... yes, eat some more.

I know I need to just give myself a break right now and not worry about it.  But I also do not want to throw in the towel either.  This is a slippery walk.

I will try to make conscious choices and not mindlessly eat.  There's lots to keep me busy and with a sore foot (not sure what I did to it) exercise isn't in the plan right now.  But still, lots and lots to do.
I will try to keep busy so as not to turn to food.

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 :)

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!!!

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!!

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! :)

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.

Week 33

THANK YOU to all of you for your support and encouragement as I've been battling these last few weeks to not allow myself to throw in the towel. Your encouragement really means so much to me!!

Last week was lots of fun!! We went up to New Hampshire with my sister and sister-in-law to take the kids to Storyland. The drive up wasn't too bad (except for the cramps in my legs as we had to squeeze bags under my legs due to lack of car space), especially by the time we got into the White Mountains (beautiful!!!!!!) ears poppin' and all. The weather was pretty terrific the whole time and even the motel we stayed in was great! (Seriously, a great motel - I can't say as I usually pair those two words together)

Storyland was lots of fun! There's nothing better than seeing your kids laughing and squealing and just having a blast!!! The nice thing for me was that it helped me to get tons of walking in.

The only non-terrific part was my food choices. On one hand, ya it was vacation. But on the other, I still could have enjoyed some treats without going whole hog. And I do mean whole hog!! Take a look at this:

Yup, that's me scarfing down a gallon and a half of ice cream in the billion calories chocolate and nut covered 'cone'. I will say, this was amazing!!!!!! But I felt like I had eaten incredibly delicious lead afterwards. Was it ok to have ice cream? Sure! But did I really need have that much? And the cone.. seriously?? (Ok, it was fabulous!!)

But hey, what's done is done. So what am I going to do to help myself going forward so I can get back on track and stop the whole pointless self-loathing thing? Well I tell ya, I've got a plan!!

My sister-in-law's sister has lost 60 pounds and looks amazing!! She and another gal have started a group that meets for five weeks (meeting every other week) at one of their homes where they have a talk about healthy living and do a weigh in. The cost is a onetime fee of $20. At the end of the 5 weeks cash prizes are awarded for those who have lost the greatest percentage of body fat. So, informative supportive classes and a contest? I'm there baby!! You don't have to follow any special program; it's about learning to lead a healthy life - not dieting (which I am superdeduper against 'diets'). Weigh in is this Thursday. Nervous about getting on the scale in front of someone, but excited to have new motivation!! I'll keep you posted on how it's going.

This week... sigh... I'm still trying to get back to the basics. It's hard quite frankly. It's a busy time of year (she types rolling her eyes knowing how ridiculous it sounds considering the whole summer has been busy). Time to get ready for back to school (my baby is going to Kindergarten and my big guy is off to 3rd grade!), all of the Women's Ministry activities are back in swing (more to come on this), still searching for what the Lord would have me do for work (please continue to pray).... But back to basics it must be!

What did the scale say this week you may wonder... Nothing.. Well actually it said "you stayed the same - try again next week". Ok, not actually. No worries, I don't think the scale is 'speaking to me', but I did stay the same. I'll take it. Better than a gain!

I hope you all have great weeks ahead making great choices!

It's time to get the boys ready and packed for a swimming day at the pool!

Going Down, Down, Down

It has been a downward spiral my friends with an upward climb on the scale.

I DO NOT want this to be like every attempt in the past with it lasting for a bit and then going right back to my old ways and getting bigger than ever!

I want to pick myself back up and not worry about the last few weeks, just look ahead.

I CAN do this!!  I CAN.. And I WILL!!

Lord ~  Grant me the strength to get back to my healthy eating. Help remove temptation and more imporatantly, when temptation arises help me to stand up under it.  Help me to be all that you call me to be.  Thank you Father.    amen.

Week 31

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend, I sure did!


Both Friday and Saturday we spent the whole day at my sister's pool. The weather was sunny and warm without being oppressive, which was lovely! There was lots of food!! My sister's neighbor made me some birthday Boston cream cup cakes which were absolutely delicious and guilt free (dontcha love it when those two forces combine?). I'll need to get the recipe from her and share it with you.

Our boys spent the night with Aunties and my husband took me out to dinner and then dancing... sort of. We went to dinner at one of my favorite restraints, Bertucci's. I'd love to tell you I had water and salad, but alas... I had two rolls (their rolls and dipping oil are the best ever!!) and then for dinner (I hope you don't gain anything just listening to this fatty dish I had) I had the tortellini and chicken gratinatti. Oh my!!! I will say that I was at least pleased to learn that I can't eat as much of this as I could have at this time last year. I did feel guilty eating it - but then I said to myself, "Hey, it's your birthday. Enjoy yourself and then move on." And move on we did to dancing... sort of..

My husband had found this event advertised on the state web site. It was a 1940's night at the Memorial hall a few towns away to benefit a local church. There was a 16 piece band, a picture girl, and a 'cigarette' girl (she really sold gum and candy). We were moved to floor seating since it was my birthday which was very nice of the organizer! Before we got married (it will be 10 years in December) we took dance lessons at Arthur Murrays. I LOVED it! So fun and great exercise!!! But after the introductory sessions and then the 1st package the rates became ridiculously expensive so we had to stop. So there we were with our 10 year old dance lessons on the dance floor with all of these folks who clearly hadn't let their lessons get stale. "Excuse me. .. Sorry... Pardon us..." was uttered by my husband time and time again as we tried to navigate the dance floor like fish trying to swim against the current.  Yeah, after just one foxtrot I was feeling way too insecure to try to get out there again. :( But I still enjoyed listening to the band!! I love old music!!!

So what's the damage done after all of this birthday frivolity? 2 pounds.. ugh! 2 pound gain. I so want to say, oh well, it's a new week. But this is vacation week and we'll be going away for a few days. I'm hoping all of the walking around the amusement park will be a big help and I'm packing healthy snacks and breakfasts.

I said last week that I wanted to hit the 50 pound mark by the end of August. I just don't know if that's a reasonable goal. It would mean losing 12 pounds between now and then with vacation happening this week. Hmm...

I do need to give myself a little pat on the back for getting my exercise in last week. Even with all that was going on I did at least get my cardio in every other day! Also, let's hear it for non-scale-victories. I received many compliments from family who hadn't seen me in a few months as well as folks at church that I hadn't seen in a few weeks. I have to admit, it really is nice to know that the hard work is noticeable. I am posting a new picture as I've been slacking in this department. I may add a photo page to make it easier to see my progress.

So friends, how has your summer been going? Do you find it easier to stay on track during the summer or the other seasons? (I have to vote for the other seasons)

It's time to get ready to go shopping for our trip. Have a great week everyone!!

** Progress In Pictures page has been added!!

Yuck With a Silver Lining

New week off to a pretty good start!

I exercised yesterday, and boy did I feel the month 'holiday'.  But, I did it.  And I did the whole program without stopping or whimping out and dropping my flabby 'bat-winged' arms.

My eating was good also and I tracked it!  Totally should have had more water though.  Will work on that today.

At the end of my weekly post I noted I had just got some yucky news and indeed, it was yucky-yuck-yuck!  It's still yuck, but there was a bit of a silver lining.  This being the case - "Thank you Lord for making this less hurtful than it could be and for reminding me of who is in control!"

Encouraged to have another good day today!!

It's Time for tea and laundry...

Week 30

One day on track, next day riding the shoulder, then on track, then down in a ditch.  It's been a bumpy ride friends!!  A ride which has been filled with cake (wedding, birthday), rich meals, extra snacks, even potato chips and dip!! Uggg!  Please let me be clear that I am all for treats, but not the frequency and quantity to which I have been indulging these past two weeks.  Even the moon gets full people!

But today is a new day and the start of a new week and I'm ready to get back to reality!  Well at least in regards to eating and exercise.  In fact, as I am writing this I am eating a very juicey plum (that I'm eating in very herky-jerky movements in order to not drip all over the key pad) and I already did two miles with Leslie!

Being this encouraged about getting back to normal ('back to'?.. have I ever been 'normal' to begin with??), I am issuing myself a "Get out of weighing free card" so that I don't focus on the past.  I can not undo what's been done so there is no use dwelling on it.

I'm setting a goal for myself for August.  By the end of August I would like to have lost a total of 50 pounds!  At last count, I was down 39 pounds.  This means that I have 36 days to drop 11 pounds.  Considering how slow my progress has been over the last few months (read - almost a stand-still) this is a challenge, and yet I think completely doable!  Thank you all for all of your encouragment thus far, and I'm sure I'll be cherishing your virtual cheers over the next couple of weeks to get this done!

So this week it's back to logging my food, getting my water in, exercise, etc...

Yuck - just got some rotten news...

Have a good week everyone!!

Not As Easy As It Looked

I've been wanting to change the look of my blog for ages, and I had a free hour today so I decided that today was the day!  Little did I know.. it wasn't going to be that easy.  Blogger now has new templates and I found that as soon as I started poking around in there I had changed my blog and couldn't turn back.  There are a lot more options now and each option then sent me tweaking here and there to adjust colors, margins, etc... (It only took me about 12 tries to get my header to fit - yikes!)

Can't say I LOVE this look... but after all the fuss, I'll keep it for the time being.  What do you think?  I really want to change the pictures, but there's no time today. (Is that dance costume just mean or what?  I was the token fat kid in dance class.)

I've seen lots of fall layouts I can't wait to try... but alas, I will have to wait.  And next time I'll know to do this at night when I can devote a few hours to it.

It's time to get my veggies in the oven.  It's turkey meatloaf night - yummy!  What's for dinner at your table tonight?

Week 28

I don't know about your neck of the woods but it has been one HOT week here in Massachusetts!! (hmm..Imagine that - hot..in July.... ; )   My primary focus this past week was keeping cool.  Lots of visits to my sister's pool, quick play time in the yard and then back into the AC.  Is it just me, or does the heat zap you of your energy?  I feel as if I've been moving in slow motion.

I tried some new products/recipes this week and returned to some old favorites.  I've been  on an 'ants on a log' kick at afternoon snack time (that's celery with low fat peanut butter and raisins in plain speek).  I also hadn't had a veggie burger in ages - it tasted great!  My favorite is Morning Star Mushroom Lovers.  I am also really enjoying watermelon.  Last year was such a ho-hum year for the super juicey fruit, but this year it's as flavorful as ever and I've been inhaling a plethera of it!!

So do you remember how last week I said that I was only 1 pound away from reaching 40 pounds?  And do you remember me saying that I was so motivated to lose that one pound?  Well you wouldn't know it by the way I ate this past week.  Not that I was terrible - but I certainly did indulge more than I thought I would.  I also was not dilagent in my tracking.  Now I'm off to go see what the scale has to say...

I've stayed the same.  Better than a gain!  I try to say to myself that I'd rather take a long time and lose 60 pounds than lose 75 quickly and put it all back on again.  The way I've been losing is a lifestyle I can mantaine.  I'd rather lose 60 permanently than more only to gain it all back and then some.  Hopefully I can reach the 40 pound mark next week!

It's time to bring my son to his summer program.

Week 26

The heat is here and it brought it's unwelcomed friend, humidity with it!!  Thank you Lord for centeral air conditioning!!  Do I hear an 'amen'?

I plugged along last week but was completely consumed with recovering from one son's party the previous weekend while preparing for a family party on Saturday followed by my other son's birthday party on Sunday.  So sadly, as great as parties are, I allowed the hustle and bustle of cleaning, shopping, cleaning, thank you card writing, cleaning, (you get the idea) to distract me from many of my good habits.  There was no tracking.  There was no excercise (other than all of the running around).  And I squeeked in about 5 hours of sleep a night.

By the grace of God however, I did actually lose a pound this week for a total of 38 pounds lost!!!

My goal for this week is to just get back to basics.
Take the time to log my food.
Stay within my calorie/fat, etc. limits
Make sure I'm getting at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Get at least 7 hours sleep a night.
3 days of cardio (30 minutes each day).

I'm still job searching.  Nothing yet.  I've been spreading the word about my home preschool too.  No bites yet.  Please continue to pray for God's leading and that I would hear Him and follow.  I know I need to wait on Him, but boy, I really don't like being in the 'wating room' I must confess.

I'm looking for a new low cal/low fat desert.  Anyone have any good recipes?  I'll be trying a few out and I'll review them for you with pics.

I hope you all have a good week - keep making healthy choices!!

It's time to switch the laundry over.  Oh, and break up the fight that I hear beginning between my boys.

Week 24

Birthday parties, field day, wedding shower up in Maine... These are just a few of the great things that happened last week.  Some I was able to attend, some I wasn't.  I am unfortunately, sick again! (Seriously, I feel like throwing a little fit for myself! I have NO time to be sick!!)  My boys brought strep back into the house and of course, mom's got it!  I'm a little nervous that it is going to take the same path it did in March when strep turned into bronchitis bordering on pneumonia.  Please pray for good health!!!

Despite all of the festivities and illness, I still did great this week!!!  I kept away from the birthday cake.  I feasted on fruit salad at the shower and on my trip up to Maine I had egg beaters and whole wheat toast at the diner. (Super cute diner done in 50's retro complete with oldies music. So fun!)  But I also indulged a bit too.  The favors at the shower were Oreos covered in white chocolate!  Since it was a 'favor' for my niece, I felt compelled to eat one... or two.. : )  I mean after all, how could I refuse the bride a 'favor'? ; )  It was super yummy! 

I got on the scale this morning hoping to meet the goal I had set for myself last week but knowing that I'd be good with anythiing that wasn't a gain.  To my delight, I met my goal!!  Down 2 pounds for a total weight loss of 37 pounds!!  I think I should have pulled the scale back out again to see if I had lost another pound after the workout I got cleaning up the 100 rolls of toilet paper that came out at me like an avalanche when I opened the closet.  It's nice to know we wont have to worry about 'sparing a square', but really dear, that pack of toilet paper is monsterous!!

The week ahead is CRAZY busy!!! It's the last week of school and the last week of the Preschool Enrichment program I do in my home daycare (only open during school season, do some part time in the summer).  I have teacher's gifts to get, gifts for my Joyful Moments kids (my child care), projects for them to wrap up... Plus, Saturday is my youngest son's graduation from Preschool followed by my older son's birthday party (the one with his friends - family party is the following week).  And let's not forget that next Sunday is Father's Day.  Plus I'm facing a mountain of house work after being sick over the weekend.  Still feel terrible, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

My goals for this week are to simply keep the program rolling.  Too much going on to try to push myself.  By the way, exercise was doing great until I got sick.  I'm sure all we be well as soon as I'm healthy again.

By the way, my cc gave me an assigment to write my lifes mission statement.  Oh well, if that's all! lol!  I'll use my mission written in the right column of this blog as my jumping off point.  Have you ever done that?

Well my mission for today is to try to start tackling all of the house work and projects that need to be done while still getting a little rest time in.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and make great choices!

It's time for me to reheat my tea... again.