Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Time to fire that scale

How many times have I had to change the battery in that hateful little sucker this year?  I was informed at doctor's office yesterday that I weigh 198 pounds fully clothed.  What does the scale at home say with me buck naked? 208.  Uh right.  10 pound discrepency there. Epic fail and so fired lol!

What are you serving for your Christmas dinner?

What used to be a traditional Christmas dinner doesn't have to be full of fat calories and carbs when you can serve healthier options that will leave you full and satisfied.  Just remember to use GrapeOla, herbs and spices, sea salt, ground flax seed and wheat germ where you can instead of all that butter and table salt and lard.  You will be happier and your waistline will thank you.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Just a little giggle or two





It's okay to poke a little fun at yourself before someone else does.  I totally believein beating someone else tot he punch ;)

Monday, December 12, 2011

And Here We Go

13 days until Christmas.  How do you cope with holiday weight gain? 

I go ahead and indulge in a taste or two or just nibble while keeping in mind that those delectable holiday goodies are laden with tons of calories.  I carefully pick and choose my 'poison'.

If you over indulge, don't worry too much.  Enjoy yourself.  Enjoy your family and friends and co-workers.  January is the time to re-focus your healthy lifestyle, shed some pounds, and gain new perspective on what you want out of your life. 

Now, I'm not saying eat everything in sight.  Think about it.  That's completely defeating your purpose.  I'm saying enjoy yourself.

Nor do I support making new years resolutions, I'm saying re-focus.  My resolution is no resolution.  You set yourself up to fail when you resolve to do something without a plan on how to get there.  A resolution is not a plan of any kind, it's a wish.  Usually an unrealistic one.

Now onto some personal news.  Damn it I'm back at 208.  Yesterday was the first time I felt like working out since I became sick last month and I couldn't even make it through the first 20 minutes of Pilates for ANY Body. That used to be my easy workout.  Nor could I make it through Aerobic Striptease warm up and THAT IS AN EASY WORKOUT!!!!  My heart just couldn't take the deliberate upswing in activity.

I know I need to ease back into it, but you'd think I could still handle the easy things. Even walking across the store at work has become a trial. Sigh.

How's everyone else doing?

I had hoped to hostess some kind of give away and contest this month but that's not possible with my health issues.  I just don't feel up to it.  So I'm going to set a tentative contest/giveaway thing in January.  So keep tuned in.

Happy healthy safe Holiday Greetings to you all.

Monday, November 21, 2011

A very disgusting post

If you are a guy, this is a female menses post, it is graphic, do not read if you are squeamish in any way shape or form.  If you're still reading at this point you have been warned.

I should have known what was wrong a long time ago. But being the stubborn, most famous 'in denial' person I know, I wouldn't allow my self to think it let alone admit it.  In letting my tight regimen of supplements, healthy foods no matter what they cost, and exercise routines slip by the wayside, I had let the devil in the front door.

Last week he took full possesssion (no not the head turning  vomit spewing type of possession).  My body went into full melt down mode and I landed in the hospital with a falling hematacrit score, blood running  unchecked from my (unknowingly) diseased uterus, and the headache/headcold from hell to boot.

I spent two and a half days in the hospital on IV to keep my body pumped full of fluid, received 1 transfusion, and a D&C.  And I still had the headache from hell, turns out I'm sensitive to the antibiotics I was given plus the side effects of the antibiotics was...guess what....headache.

I kept going over and over in my head, between  he skull splitting throbs,  how did I get into this shape?  My period had been light, and utterly predictable.  My new gynecologist had the answer.  My body hadn't been getting the signal to release my uterine lining so what i got was a light regular period and a huge build up of lining until it couldn't hold any more resulting in bleeds/spotting which became worse the longer I was on my feet, then it started shedding some of the excess lining which occurred every single time I moved.  Not small pieces either, CHUNKS, great big fist sized CHUNKS.

I bleed through 40 Always Infinity overnight pads in less than 24 hours.  Tampons?  Forget it, they just came right back out.

I was half asleep (more like unconscious) when the gynecologist on call came in to have a look at me.  A couple of hours later I awakened in recovery with the news that I had multiple HUGE fibroids, she had removed a huge amount of uterine lining and that she was shocked I hadn't had more problems than I had.

I accredit that to trying to live a healthy lifestyle but I forgot that at my age I have to be ever vigile.  I'm no spring chicken.  My female family history isn't stellar in regards to vaginal/uterine health and I should have been paying better attention.

That said, my next step is one of 3 choices, fibroid embolization, uterine ablation, or hysterectomy.  I 'd prefer to go in that order.  Hormone therapy/birth control is off the table as the side effects can be as bad as the problem itself.

I came away tired, bloated (to the tune of 20 pounds TWENTY!) my feet didn't even fit into the shoes I'd worn into the hospital, eesh! and ready to tackle the problem head on.  I'm just not sure of the approach and I don't like uncertainty.  I know as many people happy that they'd had a hysterectomy as those who regret the decision.  As much as I regret the decision to have my tubes tied, I'm thinking the later 2 of the three choices will only worsen the regret.

Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving,  is decision day and I hope I make the right one.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

UGh. I hate cold.

My goal is determined.  I started working on my book.  I have mixed feelings about it since I've been in epic fail mode of  late.

I'm just going to plunge ahead and get back on track.  The book is actually going well despite my misgivings.

I still don't feel well and this dreary cold damp fall is not doing anything to help my mood.  Seasonal Affective disorder much?

Actually it may be the lack of sunshine which may mean a membership at the local tanning beds.  I've been tempted to  try the infrared sauna and body wraps are beginning to appeal to me again so yeah, salon here I come.  It may be the bump I need to get back on track as well as beginning to work on my book.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Things I've Learned

I have much touted the effectiveness of Anne Louise Gittleman's (ALG)Perimenopause zappers solution so you would think I'd pay attention to my own advice, right?  Apparently not.  I've lapsed back into malaise.  My lower back hurts from lack of the core strengthening exercises pilates offers.  My waist  is no longer as trim as it was, granted it's still there, but I've gained inches there instead of pounds.  My period is out of whack.  A month long cycle after years, yes, years of having it under control using ALG's solution and here I am right back where I started, minus the weight.

It's time for some motivation that I lack.  Don't get me wrong I'm still pissed off at my husband which is probably why my weight isn't inching back up. I want to make excuses.  I do.  But when it comes right down to it, there is no excuse for it.

I wanted to post my before and after picture to motivate myself but it seems there is some kind of block on the library comp that I'm using so I can't do that.

So.

If you have some moving words of motivation you'd like to shoot my way, I'd love to hear from you.

I'm thinking it may be time to set a goal...not a lofty one...perhaps start training to do another 5k next year with a better finish time?

Aim for that bikini that I didn't fit into because I'd stopped exercising.


Hmmm, I don't know. 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

All sorts of stuff

Still battling the kidney infection with round 2 of antibiotics.  I feel rather bleh still.

So what have I been doing in the way of exercise while feeling bleh?  Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease.  It's easy and FUN! And no, you don't get nekkid. By the time you're done with the video you've been thoroughly warmed up, stretched out, and definitely have a pumped up heart rate. I love it and can't wait to lay hands on the next one in the series.

Review of one of Carmen Electra's Exercise Videos

I have become even more sensitive to almost all foods.  This is not good. I'm probably going to have to be tested for diabetes.  After all the work I've put into avoiding diabetes I can't believe I may still fall victim to the disease.  Let's hope not.

The hubby is still gaining weight which concerns me, but I can't make him do anything about it.  It has to be his decision.

Otherwise, shakeology rocks.  I still don't like the greenberry but I can tolerate it.  The chocolate on the other hand is DELICIOUS!  If I only had $119 a month to order it.

So, how's everyone else doing out there?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

No wonder I haven't felt all that great

Finally broke down and went to the walk in clinic.  I have a raging kidney infection.  My only symptoms have been headache, nausea, and exhaustion.  I've slept almost 14 hours a day for the last 2 weeks and still woke up feeling as though I hadn't slept at all. I had chalked it up to my chronic anemia acting up.  WRONG!  For once my red blood cell counts were normal.  They haven't been normal in years.

This is probably the cause behind my 'blues' as well.  When you're sick, you're sick.  No amount of exercise or supplements will help if you have an infection running unchecked in your system.  Hopefully I'll be back up to par in a week or so.

Monday, October 10, 2011

When you get the blues

Weight loss and self esteem fly out the window.  I haven't felt well in a couple of weeks.  I don't have the cash so I can't afford my supplements that I had been taking to kick start my aging body's producton of hormones and am now on a downward spiral with the hormones or lack of hormones playing havoc with my body.  Same for all the fresh fruits and veggies.  Out of season and unbelievably EXPENSIVE! 

My back hurts.  Actually my entire body hurts, muscles and all.  I'm tired, run down and just want to sleep all the time.  I'm embarrassed to say I've gained back ten punds. :( and my period is all out of whack.  Fortunately not heavy just picking and chosing when it wants to 'arrive' and disappear leaving me in a funk mostly from hormonal fluctuations, I think.

So here I am.  It's getting cold outside and that has taken a bite out of my get outside and move mantra though I have a new puppy who borders on ADHD, heavy emphasis on the "H" part.  He forces me to have to go outside with him and do a few laps around the house.  He's a 8 week old,  huge 22 pound Great Pyrenees mix.

I did pick up a new DVD.  Promise not to laugh?

Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease.  DVD 1.  It's a very easy workout.  So much so that I'm almost bored with it and ready for the more challenging of the other FIVE dvd's that accompany it.  Though the 3rd routine is a bit of a challenge since I don't really ahve the agility to get ont he floor and back up quite the way she and her co-hosts do...but then they've been at it for a while and I'm a newb' lol!

I enjoy the DVD.  My son said 'mom you look ridiculous', so I made him leave the room.  My husband isn't the least bit curious about the new video.  It isn't a bad video or workout routine.  They don't show anything or do anything that the title implies.  It's a lightweight aerobic routine with some sultry moves tossed in.  Now the others. I've not watched, mostly because I can only afford one at a time.

When I feel like working out it's Suzanne Deason's STability Ball for beginners, Belly Dance for Fat Burning,and Aerobic Striptease,pretty much in that order..  I'll toss in some weights for good measure sometimes.  I just don't have the heart for it lately.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Questions

Anyone ever tried Shakeology?  I have.  Love the Chocolate shake, hated the greenberry but I think maybe it was the recipe I used so I'm giving it another try.  I'm considering selling the stuff, but fair warning, IT IS EXPENSIVE.  That said, a stroke, heart attack, and diabetes are also very expensive, so I'm thinking the lifelong expense of a health issue may offset the $119 a month to get the weight off and keep it off.  I'm not saying weightloss will completely deter the afore mentioned illnesses, but it certainly won't hurt.

I tried Belly Dance For Fat Loss. OMG!  I loved it and am now incorporating it into my work out routine.  I had a lot of fun, even if I did get lost about half way thru.  I'm thinking I'll have the moves down in another week or two.

 Most people give up on exercise videos and proclaim "It's too hard." when all they need to do is give themselves time to figure out the moves.  It's about quality of your exercise moves not quantity.  I like videos I can slow them down, speed them up, back up to what I didn't follow or understand or fast forward thru the parts I hate (cheating I know...) and no one is around to watch you make a fool of yourself while you're learning.

My next question is do you partner with someone else?  I don't.  I feel like anyone I partner with may eventually lead me astray from the road to fitness.  I tried walking with my husband but we always ended up doing on ly one lap instead of 2 or 3 or 4 like I was used to  because he didn't really want to go again so he'd sit somewhere and I'd feel guilty for leaving him sitting there while I continiued on. It also led me to believe he was only there to see if I was flirting with someone else and wasn't really all that serious about losing all the weight he has gained.  Plus he was always so negative that I could hardly stand him.

So there's my questions for now.

Happy Healthy Friday!

Friday, September 23, 2011

I wanna be a 1600 pound woman

Not really, but I can't believe the 2 women who have made it their life's goal to deliberately be that morbidly obese.  One in Delaware(?) wants to be 1000 pounds and she's more than half way there.  The other is aiming at 1600 currently weighing in around 700. She's after a World Record that Guiness says it won't acknowledge.

She doesnt' care and she thinks it's a sexy look.  Oh my. It's a death sentence dear, death..there's no way to exercise and be that overweight and expect to be able to live very long.  I strongly suspect the young lady in Arizona will die long before she ever gets there. 

 I don't see how her doctor can sit there on television and say with a straight face that other than being morbidly overweight, she's healthy.

I don't see how she thinks that doing a few stretching exercises will keep her fit when she can't even walk thru the grocery store.

 I don't see how men find her attractive.  Google her.  Suzanne Eman.  It's truly sad. 

I really don't want to sound condescending toward either woman. I'm just floored. Really and truly I am. I guess I'm just not wired to think that by gaining weight I'm making myself famous or sexy.

I'm overweight.  I exercise and try to eat right despite my losing momentum sometimes.  I don't have men throwing themselves at me because my 'reubenesque'  curves curve in the wrong direction.  I'd question their sanity, but I suppose to each their own....even if she's 700+ pounds.

I suppose everyone must have some kind of goal in life too huh?

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Pulling up by the bootstraps, Product Reviews

Hmmm, lost a follower.

I've been regrouping a bit. Looking hard at my motivation to lose weight in the past and where that motivation stands now.  There is only one thing to say.  THE WEIGHT MUST GO.

The book must be written.

The website must be more frequehtly updated.

I need more followers, maybe even ask people who follow my blog if they would like to become contributers to the content here?

The more involved this blog becomes in helping others the more inclined I will be, and those who are helping, to help ourselves,to make a difference ino thers lives while improving our own lives.  Isnt' that what we're here for? To help each other?

In other news I tried Shakeology, the greenberry sucks the underside of pond scum!  But the chocolate is yummy!  However, it's tremendously expensive.  That is the biggest downside to it.  If they want to be more successful and make more money then that exorbitant price....$119 a month needs to come down.  A lot. Plus there's a new flavor coming out in the fall: Tropical.  We'll just have to wait and see on it.  Personaly I'd like to see a vanilla flavor or one that has no flavor that can be used/added to in order to make your own flavors.

I've incorporated some INSANITY! and P90X into my exercise routine ( I looked at it on the internet because I certainly can't afford to buy the program....do these people think I'm made of money?  Really?) OMG! My muscles hurt in the good way lol!  I reccommend it.  Buy it if you can afford it.  If not, cheat like I do and look on youtube at the clips from the program itself then incorporate them into your current routine.

Now it's time to take the boys to Charlie's house and have the evening off for myself. 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

And Here I am again

Weight is holding.  That's about all I can say.  Everything else around me is falling apart.  Nothing like getting stabbed in the back, again, by the one person who professes to love you.  One of these days I will learn.  I just hope it's before I'm too old and decrepit and fat(again) to even care.

I need a better paying job and it just isn't presenting itself and I don't understand at all how I'm supposed to manage finances that disappear before they ever reach my account. Sigh.

Bankruptcy looks more appealing all the itme.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Update-o-rama

I'm still having issues with carb induced comatose like states.  Once upon a time it was just starchy stuff that did me in.  Now it's pretty much anything I eat that isn't a leafy vegetable, egg, cheese, or meat.  Sweet anything makes me almost drunk.  What on earth?????

I love being able to pick up a piece of clothing and just tell by the way it feels it's too big before I ever even look at the size.

I love that all my pants are getting entirley too big.  The hubby thinks it's hilarious that I can't keep my panties on and it isnt' because of anything he's up too either.  The ride up  or down but they certainly no longer stay in place.  Same goes for my bra.

I'm a auburn headed lady once again.  The brassy orange blonde went away FINALLY!

I'll post measurements in the next day or so, but interestingly enough they havent' changed all that much.

I'm waiting on some Shakeology samples.  I hear a lot about the product so I've decided to give it a try.  I'm also interested in P90x but not enough so to invest about $300 in it.  Same for the body wraps.

Weight and appearance have become an obsession for me and in a way that disturbs me, but then again not really.  I should have been paying attention all along.

It's sad that a verbal bitch slap is what it takes to wake some people up.

I hate not having a computer

Or internet access.  but such is life when you're broke broke broke!

New weight: 189 lbs!!!!!!!!

It helps to put new batteries in your digital scales =)

Friday, August 5, 2011

Pics are up!


Still weighing in right at 200 but looking a lot more trim.YAY! And that cuucmber salad recipe I tried yesterday needs a little something, I'm not sure what though.  Think I'll experiment a little bit with it before I give my final thumbs up or down.
July 2011


April 2011


July 2011





Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Peck Peck! Anyone there?

I am still here, still have no comp and it doesn't look like I'll have one for a while.  Finances suck at the moment.

In the meantime I am trying out a new recipe I got online today  Cucumber Feta Salad.  I always taste test recipes before I reccommend them to you.  I also always try to find a way to tweak the recipe to make it even healthier for you.  This one doesn't need much help from what I can tell about it so far.  Maybe I'll add ground flax seed for texture an omega boost.  Hmmm.  We'll see.

I have new pics to post probably tomorrow if I can find my thumb drive as the library comp won't allow me to upload straight from my camera =( .

Unfortunately my weight is stuck stuck stuck at 200.  It doesnt' matter what I do the silly pounds won't budge.  Open to SERIOUS ideas here.

I also have a question to toss out to you.

I'm considering trying a body wrap for the boost of yay! look at that theses things really don't work, lol! experience.  Have you tried these things?  How did you like it?  Did it actually work?  How about Shakeology and BeachBody....whatever the name of the program they're hawking now.  What do you think o f those?  Worth a try to get things going or don't waste my money?

Talk to me ladies and gentleman. Please?

By the way...does that Shop Amazon and Amazon mp3 player ever work?  Everytime I"m on here it's a blank white spot taking up space on my blog. sigh.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Hmmm, those ads

I added an "Amazon Shopping" bar to the side.  It's supposed to have relevant items to complement my blog that are available on Amazon, I'm not sure I ever advocated smoking a pipe on here, did I?  If you watch long enough Jackal Pipes will pop  up on the shopping block.  Oh well.  I guess beggars can't be choosers now can they?

I've added a mp3 clip bar so if you want to listen to music just click on it.  Right now I have  country music available, next week I'll probably switch to rap and hip hop because I am equally addicted to both genres with no sign of it switching in favor of one over the other anytime soon.

On the bottom of my blog there are some interesting little gadgets with seasonal fruits/veggies available by state, just click the drop down and go to your state.  The other is allegedly healthy tips, apparently it is more ads than anything, but I'm leaving it there to balance the blog's look for now.

Do I need to add anything or is it fine like it is?

Stress and Binge Eating

I've been doing all of the above the past few days and I'm over it as of right now.  I feel bloated, tired, sick, and miserable.  I don't know how people manage to overeat all the time.  3 days of eating whatever, whenever, and as much as I want  has made me almost comatose.  Yesterday I WAS comatose.  I ate fried okra and slept nearly 15 hours.  Carbs and my body simply do not get along at all.  I have to pick one of two choices, condition myself to eat carbs again which will result in weight gain again, or condition myself to stay far far far away from most carbs.  The exception being whole grains which don't seem to bother me too much.  Bleached, white cornmeal, which was the coating on the okra, sends me to sleep for a long long time.  I don't like that. So I have made the decision.  No more carbs.

I'm stressed because even after my husband's check was deposited, the mortgage payment came out, the electric bill came out, groceries and gas came out and there was less than 20 dollars left to do us for TWO WEEKS!  My solution was to eat.  I don't normally have that kind of reaction.  I usually dig in and live frugally as possible.  My friend LeAnn used to say I pinched pennies so hard ol' Abe begged and cried for mercy.

I guess ol' Abe has been getting his revenge.  I don't have a penny to my name, or checking account for that matter.  But is that a reason/excuse to wreck/sabotage my weight loss goals?  No.  It's just an excuse. and here I am in the NO EXCUSES Zone.

I have been my own worst enemy the past 3 days.  Bad Bad me.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Finally!

Back under 200 pounds.  This yo yo weight is driving me insane!  I was stuck last year at 220 and there was little to nothing I could do, diet wise, to make it budge.  I added walking to my routine and it started coming off.  Now I've had to add weights to make it move again.  Now I'm going to ask that fateful question, what next?

Proper Diet
Pilates
Walking/Running
Weights

Umm, not a lot left except biking, (meh), swimming and zumba, no where to swim and Zumba just doesnt' appeal to me.

Looks like it'll have to be just advancing to the next higher levels on all of the above doesnt' it?

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

I suppose you're hungry for a little supper?

Maybe  a little snackage?

As far as snacks during the day, keep it around 150 calories.  Easily enough done by utilizing those prepackaged snacks. M&M now has a pretzel m&m at exactly 150 calories instead of the plain or pnut m&m's at 250 calories.  So save yourself 100 calories!  Need a little drink?  Go for unsweetened tea (or sweeten it with stevia), coffee, flavored waters (Hint, MetroMint, Life Water to name a few of my favorites) or, heaven forbid, a diet soda if you insist on poisoning/self sabotaging yourself.

You can have fresh fruit ,not that canned stuff unless it's all you have You can even have a cookie or two, just look at the nutrition label very closely.

Supper?

I love to marinate sliced portabella caps in burgundy cooking wine, a little sea salt and pepper for about 30 minutes then sprinkle with mild cheddar, cover loosely with aluminum foil pop in the oven on 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, then remove the foil put back in the oven about 5 minutes or until the cheese is nice and bubbly.  Serve with a side salad and half a toaseted toufouyan bagel with a little cream cheese on it.  For a little dessert, fresh grated coconutor rinsed prepacked coconut if you have it, roasted, served over madarin oranges that have been drained and rinsed.

My dad used to make the following salad:

1large bag prepared baby salad greens
2 cans tuna drained
1 large tomato cut into chunks
1 cup grated mild cheddar
Toss it all together and serve your favorite dressing ON THE SIDE.

To that I have added
2 tbsp Ground flax seed (usually in the dressing)
2 tbsp Flaxseed oil drizzled over the greens
1 cup chopped black olives
1/4 cup each chopped green, orange, red, yellow, chocolate sweet peppers
1 cup sliced radishes
1 cup carrot shreds
1/2 cup raw almond slivers
toss in a huge salad bowl, serve dressing on the side.  Serve with toasted toufoyan(I will eventually learn to spell it right lol!) bagel pieces.
For dessert make organic brownies, serve warm with fat free cool whip.

Serve Sherried Rosemary Chicken breast (recipe is about 2 pages back) with a side of whole grain couscous and fresh mixed veggies.

Thinly sliced roast beef over whole grain couscous or baby spinach drizzled with your favorite vinaigrette, plus all the fresh veggies you can stand. Dessert stir cocoa into fat free coolwhip then freeze.  serve as you would ice cream. 

Core and slice 2 yellow apples and layer over boneless pork chops, sprinkle a little sea salt and mild cheddar over them, cover loosely then bake in a 450 degree over for about 25 minutes.  Serve with mixed veggies and a whole grain pasta of your choice.  Dessert: Mixed fruit (drained and rinsed) with a dollop of fat free coolwhip.

Shiratake spaghetti noodles prepared according to directions, brown and drain ground chicken, serve with spaghetti sauce of your choice and a side salad.  Dessert, jello with fesh fruit.fruit

Notes on Jello and Coolwhip: both are generally low calorie anyway so I don't even go with the sugar free varieties.  If given a choice I will go for the sugar laden variety before I'll opt for artificial sweeteners of any kind.

Sauces and dressings, pay attention to sodium content. If it has more than 10% of your daily allowance RUN!

Hope you all have a good day because it's almost time for me to go to work.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

OMG! NEW NEW NEW ADDICTION!

While perusing the 'water' aisle at a local grocer, looking for someting, ANYTHING, to drink besides plain old bottled water, I stumbled across several unsweetened  flavored waters.  By unsweetened, they mean no sweetener of any kind real or fake.  There's Hint water that has a 'hint of flavor to it.  I'm okay with it as long as the price remains $1 a bottle.

However, that isn't the flavor I fell in love with.  The 'bottler' goes by the name  Metromint.  All of their flavors have mint in them.  Get this Mint C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E flavored water.  I've always joked that when they invented chocolate flavored carrots to let me know, I'll settle for chocolate flavored water.  Its taste reminds me of something close to an Andes Mint.  The mint flavor is a bit stronger than the chocolate.  I found the colder the water the more chocolate you can taste.  It has zero calories.  I drank 3 of them today before I'd realized what I'd done.

Everything that I've read says that mint helps curb hunger, but I'm thinking it may be peppermint, though I will admit that I feel rather full with all that I've drunk today.  Hunger has never really been a problem for me it's always been lack of will power that is my down fall..

I highly recommend metromint, any of the flavors, not just the chocolate flavored.  Go ahead, try it!  Then let me know what you think.

Click the subjectline to go to their website.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

And Back to the excuses

I was in the employee lounge with a co-worker, a much younger, overweight co-worker and the topic of weight loss came up  Her parents had enrolled her in a  professional weight loss program and she said "I can't lose weight at all I have an almost non-existant metabolism at my age."

I raised and eyebrow at her statement, bit my tongue until it bled, at her statement.  Was she even listening to herself?  Was she even paying attention to what was on her plate: A large order of chili cheese fries from Krystals, along with 6 cheese Krystal Burgers and of course the requisite staple of any 'dieters' drink, a large Diet Coke and a large chocolate milk shake.  My head hurts just sthinking about it.

In the meantime I was eating whole grain chicken couscous with a side of strawberries and blueberries. She said it looked too hard to make.  Never mind it took less than five minutes (I used leftover chicken form last night's supper)....just how long did she wait in the drive thru at Krystals?

And here I am running a blog called the No Excuses Zone.  And there she was handing me excuses.

If you have a non existant metabolism but you do nothing to help yourself then you are where you are by the decisions you make.  You are overweight because you chose to ignore what is better for you.  There is no amount of education or legislation of helath that will make you do anything any different.  You know that chili cheese fries, no matter how yummy, will not help you get a handle on your weight.

And from there I have no where to go, my brain is just stumped and perplexed over the entire conversation.  Most people I'm blunt with, with her...I have no clue what to do with her as she is young and we're not all that much on 'friendly' terms beyond the being nice to each other because we work in the same place kind of friendly, but I wanted to say "Then why are you eating that garbage?"  Bite  your tongue Melissa and vent on  your blog.  Who knows, she might stumble across it some day and get the 2x4 of knowledge smacked right between her eyes?

One can hope.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Lack of updates

Is what happens when you no longer have a computer or access of your own.  Have patience with me folks as I work connection issues out.

Your lunch menu (since I started with breakfast and never finished from there lol).

Choose one Daily.  I make mine at home and carry it with me. It takes a lot of discipline to manage your daily diet.  Lunch and supper is one of those tough areas especially when you work

-Tuna salad on Baby spinach.

There are literally thousands of ways to make tuna salad.  I substitute spicy mustard for mayonnaise, completely drain the tuna bone dry and add chopped celery, quartered cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, chopped sweet pepper(red, green, yellow,orange...)the more colorful the more likely you are to eat it), chopped hardboiled eggs.  Mix and plop a huge spoonful onto baby lettuces or spinach that is piled high in your bowl.  Place a few pretzels of your choice and sliced raw almonds in a baggie and there you have a filling lunch.  If you absolutely must have bread, take a toufoyan everything bagel (100 calories) with you too.

-Tabouleh
Prepared according to directions.  Add chopped apples,  raw walnuts, pecans, almonds, chopped celery, and golden raisens.  Fill your lunch bowl halfway with baby lettuces or spinach and the rest of the way with tabouleh.  Carrot sticks, orange slices, and a handful of golden raisens in a baggie to top off lunch.

-Set aside some of your supper to take for lunch, add a side salad to it.

I don't recommend those protein bars or shakes as a lunch substitute unless it's a short day at work.  I work retail so some days I'm only there 4-6hours and get 1 fifteen minute break so that wold be the day I have a protein bar or shake.  If you're at work more than 6 hours you need something that isn't going to leave you ravenous by the time you leave work.

If you forget your lunch or the girls/guys go out for lunch, I highly reccommend purchasing a book called Eat This Not That (preemptively of course!).  If all else fails: if it says creamy, fried,crispy, crunchy, sweet, gooey, rich, decadent runRunRUN AWAY from it NOW!

Supper ideas later this week.

Have a happy healthy Wednesday.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Refreshing very low calorie smoothie recipe a friend shared with me.

1 cup club soda
1 cup ice
1 cup frozen berries of your choice
2 packets stevia (more or less according to your taste)

Blend until smooth and ENJOY!  This is a very satisfying and filling drink.  It freezes well.  The club soda gives it a little 'umph'. There are no calories in the ice, stevia, or club soda. There might be 100 calories or less in the berries depending on what you use so drink your fill!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

New Numbers

Weight 192
Neck 15.5
Biceps 14 Beginning to be very clearly defined muscle! YAY!)
Bust 35
Waist 36 (grrr)
 Hips 42
Thigh 25 (beginning to be very clearly defined muscle too!)
Calf 16 (ditto!)

I'm not entirely happy with those numbers,but considering how very lazy I've been lately what did I really expect?  Two months til class reunion/mixer so I MUST get back on target!

Starting with a nice long walk and some weight training today.

My goal for the end of the month is 182.  ten pounds off.

Ready
Set
GO!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Have a Good Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It's important to fuel your body up for the long day ahead.  You gas up your car before you head off on vacation right?  Same theory applies here, your body is about to embark on a long possibly stressful day so why not fuel it up before things get crazy?

This is a lifestyle change you have to get used to. Eating breakfast is part of the routine.

Remember how to start a lifestyle change?  If not: here's a reminder:

First and foremost you have to decide you want to change.  YOU HAVE TO WANT IT FOR YOURSELF.

Second you have to state your goal.  Make it simple. Something easy to do.

Third: Have an idea of how you plan to reach your goal.  No plan. No success.

Fourth: Keep on planning your "And then what" goal.  After I reach this goal using this plan what is my next step? How do I get there?  Once I get there, then what is my next step, my next goal, my next step?  It never stops until you stop.  Once you stop it's your game do you continue making yourself better, do you maintain? If you maintain them you go back to making plans of how you intend to maintain.  Or do you give up?

I'm still in the process of 'getting there.'

Part of your new healthy lifestyle should include diet. Especialy Breakfast.

I dont' do this exact routine/diet every day, week in, week out, sometimes you have to have a break from the low fat, low carb, low salt, low sugar, low everything else routine.  Not everything here is low calorie or low anything except on salt.  I try not to use salt at all. There's enough added salt in every day ingredients to more than make up for what I don't use here.

Upon rising:
 8-10 oz warm lemon water made with fresh squeezed lemon juice.  Why warm?  The warm water along with the lemon has a mild laxative effect. It's good for your arteries.  The vitamin C is good for your skin, and bones.  It's just plain good for you.  Concentrate lemon juice will wok, just go extremely easy on it as it tends to be stronger because it's concentrated.  The more concentrated the juice the harder it is on the enamel of your teeth and the lining of your stomach.  I usually use (1) 1/2 inch thick lemon slice lightly squeezed then dropped into the bottom of my cup and pour the warm water over it.  Let it sit for a minute then drink up.

You can have as much unsweet tea, coffee, or low calorie soy/almond milk, 0 Calorie lifewater as you like with your breakfast. Use stevia to sweeten things up if you need to.  No Diet sodas allowed.

Breakfast:  Choose one daily
1 cup steel cut oatmeal prepared according to directions (fiber)
2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt (protein)
1 tablespoon wheat germ (fiber)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (fiber/Omega's)
A handful (enough to cover your palm) of raw slice almonds (protein)
1 cup of sliced strawberries or blueberries

Mix gently and enjoy.  You can use stevia if you need a little sweet taste to your oatmeal

2 Eggs (protein/Omegas if you're using my favorite eggs)
2 tablespoons Herbed Feta cheese. (protein)
1tablespoon GrapeOla (Omegas)
6 torn up leaves fresh baby spinach
1/2 tofuyan everything bagel (only 50 calories and full of fiber!)

Heat grapeola in frying pan, whisk eggs, spinach and feta together pour into pan and scramble over heat til done the way you like 'em, enjoy on your bagel.

This next one is a favorite PMS solution of mine.
1 Tofuyan Plain Bagel
1 tablespoon Simply More Peanut Butter
2 Squares Lindt Chili Chocolate.

Spread pnut butter on each half of bagel.  One square of chocolate on each half of bagel.  Put in oven on broil for about 2 minutes or until chocolate is just on the melty but not burnt side.  There is nothing better than warm chocolate and Pnut butter with a carb fix on the day before or the first day of your period.  Sorry guys, us ladies just have to have something warm and gooey and chocolatey because if 'honey' ain't happy ain't nobody happy.

Quick Breakfast chocolate Fix #2

2 cups Chocolate Almod/Soy/Rice milk
1 cup Ice
1 cup frozen Blueberries or Strawberries
1/2 cup cold STRONG coffee (I have been known to freeze coffee in the ice tray for this. Use 4 coffee cubes for this recipe (more or less or not at all according to your taste)

Place ingredients in blender, on high until nice and smooth, enjoy!  There's usually enough for 2 servings so share or put leftovers in freezer to take for lunch or for a quick yummy snack.  Yopu can make this up in batches before hand and just grab it from the freezer on your way out the door. Give one to the hubby and or  kids too!

Everyone wins when they have breakfast.  You concentrate better.  You have a bit more energy.

Try it for week.  If you decide it's too much trouble, fine, go hungry or eat a donut.  See how you feel then =)

Have a great Tuesday!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

About that cake

I tried the cake recipe and I'll be honest.  It looked pretty, tasted NASTY!  There is no rescuing that particular recipe so I won't even suggest it or give the recipe.  It was that bad.  My advice?  Stick with organic and add the flaxseed, oats, and wheat germ yourself.

I spent the weekend simply observing my husband and his eating/exercise habits.  He worries me but I refuse to give in to the temptation to tell him the harsh words he told me even if I think he needs to hear them.  Only I wouldn't be harsh about it.  I'm not exactly that kind of person,but he worries me nonetheless.

My youngest son turned 13 on the 21st.  He's around 6ft 3 and weighs about 203 lbs. That's down from 225 pounds a few months ago.  He's watching me and everything I do.  He's been using my weights and actually pulled off 30 push ups on his last pft with the young marines.  I can't do 30.  Of course Grant, my 15 year old, showed off and did 65 push ups and did his very best to discourage Caleb's success, however, Caleb more than doubled his push ups over the last 6 weeks, Grant did not and that was pointed out to him.  I try to encourage competition and good eating habits for my sons but I want to discourage the trashing of their accomplishments.  That is the one thing I consider unfair, not the competition itself, but the goading that ensues.

School is out for the summer, technically.  They are more or less home schooled,well, co-operative educated, so school is never really out for them.  They have plenty of schoolwork to do this summer as well as Young Marines Camp in Pensacola, and possibly Junior Leadership school in July also with the Young Marines.  We have a lot of stuff to be repaired this summer so I think they'll be very occupied.

I have several friends who are having heart issues, I think it's largely weather related.  It's warmer outside so it's time to get active and get over that winter battle of the bulge but the battle has taken its toll on their hearts and now they're paying for it.

I do have suggestions for them, but this is the one instance where I insist that they talk to their doctors first because I don't want to tell them to do something that might interfere with medications or treatments in progress.

Diet: Oats, leafy greens, berries, salmon, boneless skinless chicken breast, all the fresh vegetables and fruits you can stand.  I dont' know about you, but I can stand a lot of fresh veggies and fruits!  If you absolutely must have pasta go with Shiratake Noodles, look for them at Trader Joe's or EarthFare or in the refrigerated organics section of your grocery store.  Same with bread.  If you have to have bread look for the Healthy Life brand.  WalMart Carries it. Make certain it doesn't have high fructose corn syrup in it.  I usually get the kind with added Omegas and ground flaxseed.

Eggs: be extremely careful here. Eggs are very good for you.  Find Organic, free range, Omega enriched eggs.  Just because it says free range doesn't mean they were outside their entire lives it may mean they were allowed to go outside for 5 minutes with 5000 other chickens so read the label very carefully.

Stay away from caffeine, sugar, ABSOLUTELY NO PASTA or BREAD (see the exceptions above)

Supplements: CoQ10 30mg to start, EPA/DHA180/320, Acai Berry 500mg, Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc/D-3, ALA, if you can't sleep at night Melatonin 3mg.

Exercise:  WALK. Not a fast walk or even a long one, something you can handle.  Take a friend with you.  Get one of those watches that has a built in heart rate monitor, it costs a bit more but may warn you when you arent' paying close enough attention to what you're doing.  If you need to walk alone to work things out in your mind then tell someone where you're going, what you're doing and when you expect to be back just so they know.  If they want to know why tell them the truth that you need to think and to work it out yourself maybe even think aloud without interference. You'd be amazed how much clearer things are when you say your thoughts out loud.  Sometimes I even sing out loud with my mp3  player.  I get odd looks but that's okay.

STRESS RELIEF:
I love blogging to get my troubled thoughts out of my head and in front of me where they're easier to deal with because I have them in some kind of jumbled order where they can be sorted according to importance.

Massage therapy: OMG!  If I could afford a massage every day I would be in the therapists office every single day!  My husband's idea of massage frustrates me, he's afraid if he presses too hard he'll hurt me. Sigh.

Shower or long hot bath, ALONE.  Tell the members of your family that the first person who knocks on your door while you're de-stressing will be the first person in the line of fire from your ensuing temper tantrum.  "If you knock on the door or interrupt me in any way shape form or fashion I will not be responsible for any violence that follows."  That threat has worked many a time for me.

De-stressing or comfort eating is not allowed.

Unless you want to try the cake recipe I did.  I'll promise you that after one taste of that nasty stuff you'll never comfort eat again!

Have a great Tuesday!

Friday, May 20, 2011

You Have To Want YOUR LIFE Back

Well, its that time of month.  I've gained my usual 5 pounds putting me back at 203.  Grrrr!  Interestingly enough, my clothes are loose?  Maybe some fo that weight gain is muslce mass because I do have some muscles that can be felt when I flex my arms and legs!

I'm going to experiment with a cake recipe that doesn't use any flour, eggs, oil, salt, or sugar.  Seriously!
The 'cake' is made from soy or whey protein instead of flour (add cocoa or carob powder if you want chocolate), stevia instead of sugar, plain greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, water, wheat germ, ground flaxseed, and oats,  It's frosting is made of lite coolwhip.  I'll take a picture and let you know what I think of it probably on Tuesday of next week.

I was watching some talk show today, The Doctors, I think, and there was a 700 pound woman on there who was bawling her eyes out because she had failed at losing weight adn the docotor was telling her how disappointed he was that she hadn't lost more than she had.

It irritated me.  She doesnt' want to lose the weight, not really.  It's her crutch.  It's her attention getting device.  It has made her famous, even if it's just 15 minutes of fame, it still got her on t.v. Why would she want to give all that up? 

You have to want your life back, as the doctor put it.  He's right.  You have to want it bad enough to change your habits, change what you eat, change the way you look at things.  She doesn't want it.  Not yet.  I think he knows that  or he wouldn't have told her he won't have her back until she has lost 100 pounds.  I think he should have set the goal higher.  She'll weigh 600 pounds.  I think with a proper diet and exercise routine she'll lose een more.  She's young.  She didn't appear to be too terribly unhealthy besides the big bunch of belly hanging over the sides of the sofa. I came in on the tail end of the interview so maybe I missed something. 

I set out to lose weight to show my husband that I wasn't third rate on a good day.  In the process I learned I really am not 3rd rate on a good day no matter how much I weigh, no matter how old I am.  It's my mind set and how much I'm willing to do to be a better person.  There's an uber sexy bikini calling my name in August.  The scale this morning startled me, but that's okay, I need to be startled.  You do too.

Do somethingto startle yourself.  Try on that bathing suit from last year or estimate what you think you weigh then step on the scale or keep a list of what you eat today, maybe all three, you'll be surprised one way or another.  Then decide what you're going to do about it.

 I"m going to a family reunion tomorrow so I won't be online til Monday, so have a FANTASTIC happy healthy weekend.  Seee ya Monday.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Interesting

I was reading Fast Track Detox by Anne Louise Gittleman and stumbled across something I think I'll do a little more research on.  The way your body uses food is determined by your blood type.  She made some very good points and observations and I'm intrigued by the idea that my blood type determines my metabolic rate. 

Since I'm very limited by time, I'll have to do it tomorrow.

Have a good and healthy Tuesday.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Good rainy Monday Morning

My computer is still down and likely out for the count.  So it's the library comp until I figure out a way to purchase a new computer.  I don't get how some people can just shrug then go out and buy a new computer.  My husband and I work our backsides off and still can't manage to cover anything more than basic needs, and that's iffy most of the time. 

That's all I have to say on that subject.  Frustration gets the better of me sometimes.

I am covered head to toe in poison ivy.  About the time I get one area of break out cleared up a new one crops up.  I think I'm in Poison Ivy HELL!

I'm a coupon-a-holic these days.  I'm learning the ropes, if you havent' scrolled back far enough into this blog, perhaps you should just to find some links to organics sites who offer coupons for their goods. 
Last week I took $77 off my grocery bill at Bi-Lo using coupons.  Then I went to Wal-Mart with my coupons that Bi-Lo wouldn't double and my freebie coupons,and I had several. my subtotal was $35 plus change before coupons, my total after coupons but before tax was $10 plus change.  This makes me very happy!

I have a new coupon source for you.  Mizkan.  Register for their Spalsh Recipe Club.  It's free.  They produce the cooking wines, vinegars, and other liquid flavorings that I use on this webpage.  I've received coupons for one of each of their product lines every couple of months and they aren't wimpy coupons either.  $1 off a $2-$3 product is nothing to sniff at.  I also have received recipe booklets from them.  You can never have too many recipes to try out.  Most of the recipes contain nutritional information such as calorie, sugar salt, and fat counts in the recipes.

I don't pay a lot of attention to any of the counts except salt because I am frequently shocked by the sodium content of every day food items we consume.  Take a look at the information labels on your foods, especially the diet foods, you'll be startled into looking at everything.  Become a label reader if for nothing other than self-defense.  You and your family are worth the extra 10 seconds it takes to look at what you are about to put in your mouth and theirs.

I'm off to order vitamins at Swanson Vitamins .  Hope everyone has a good for you, healthy day!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Shin Braces and stick-to-it'iveness

Shin splints officially suck!  It's going to take at least 6 weeks or more to get them healed up.  In the meantime I have a few choices for cardio (thankfully it's almost warm enough for one of them)  Swimming or power walking.  Power walking really? Is that a slow jog? a fast walk? What?  I think I'll opt for swimming.

I can purchase some kind of brace thing to wear while I walk until I've healed up.  How attractive will that me?  The brace fits from just below the knee to just above the ankle.  So much for being a fashionista on the running trail. Wonder if I can attach sequins to it????

I've graduated to the Intermediate Beginner Pilates stage.  The true beginners stage is too easy and boring to me so now I've moved on to Theresa Borgren's video series Pilastes for ANYBody and Yoga/Pilates for ANYBody.  and Jennifer Kries Pilates.  Good lord they kick butt!  I was worn out and thouroughly challenged about halfway through the first video.  So much so that I want to do it again!  Never thought I'd say that about wearing my self out with exercise!

I suppose that's when you know you're doing something good for yourself and enjoying it while youre at it.  That's what it's all about.  If you don't like what you're doing then you won't stick with it.  I'm a stick withit kind of girl or I would have given this up a long time ago.

Bikin body here I come!  Running or not =)

Ohhh I found my ultimate revenge bikini!

Thank you Nanas deals for hositng a contest for a chance to win an awesome bikini from Voda Swimwear..  I may order it even if I don't win it!

Best ultimate incentive to lose the rest of my weight. 

Go to Voda Swim Wear  click on shopping then styles then monokini.  Three pictures will pop up.  I am in love withthe Midnight Envy Bikini in the middle of them.  For soem reason I can't get the actual URL to paste into this webpage.

I'm thinking that middle piece will hide some of the stretch marks.  Pilates and Yoga will sculpt the rest of me while running will take off the middle rest of me.  =)

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Two More Followers Please =) Minor updates.

Thirty eight followers of my little 'ol blog!  YAY!  I'd love to have 2 more!  Any takers?

I am frustrated at the moment as to where 10 pounds suddenly appeared from?  I only ate bad stuff 2 days last week.  I walked roughly10 miles between Thursday and Saturday afternoon last week 3 of those being the 5k race so what gives!?!?!?  I'm still walking up to 4 miles a day and this is the thanks I get.  Hmpf.

Part of it may be constipation.  I'm not sure what's up with that either?  2 waffles, just 2 last Thursday evening and I'm stopped up for a week really?  This is with ground flaxseed, lots of fruits and veggies, and 3 whole avacados added into my daily regimen over the last week.  Sigh.  Looks like M.O.M time, yuck!

We're pretty much recovered from mild tornado damage.  It mostly ripped the tops out of a few trees and toppled a tree at my mother in law's house.  Others weren't quite so lucky.  You're in my prayers.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Finding your breaking point

At what point do you decide that a job, no matter how long you've been with the company, isn't worth dying for?

At what point do you decide that stress at home isn't worth dying for?

At what point do you decide to turn that all around?  Tell stress and stress eating to go take a hike, better yet, join you on that hike?  Everyone needs a little exercise, right?  But where is your breaking point?

I was insulted into taking action.  I was hurt beyond words into taking action.  I decided enough was enough.  It was my life, my appearance, and my body.  No one and I do me NO ONE had the right to do and sya the things that were done and said.  No one had the right to push me so past my breaking point that I could do nothing more than let them?

Would the real Melissa please stand up, put the cookies down and stand up!

Where are you in your weightloss goal?  Have you found your breaking point yet?

Are you pre-diabetic? Ladies, are your hormones out of control?  Can you sleep at night without medicating?  Are you stress eating?  Are people commenting on how much weight you've gained?  Making fun of you yet?  Heart attack?  Stroke? Diabetic? hiding out and eating? Do you still have some pride and self esteem left?

What do you plan to do about it?

Getting outside helped me immensely.  Wide open space with room to roam and run (I do love to run), sunny beaches, quiet lakes, walking trails...You have time to let your thoughts wander, to play out scenarios in your head to help you deal with life's stressful moments, perhaps even figure them out or at least how to deal with them.  But you have to make that time.  Take a walk on your lunch break, take your sheos and a change of clothes if you have to.  I've been known to wear my walking clothes under my work clothes.  The key is in moving, fresh air and sunshine.  Deliberately leave your cellphone in your car.  There's no point in trying to relax if the office is calling you repeatedly while you're out. Break means that, break, time to yourself and time to say (to yourself anyway) go soak your head in a bucket!

I keep a stress ball in my car to carry with me while I walk, poor ball.  It gets squished a lot.  But it helps when my hands are swelling up from all the walking I've done.

Once you've found your breaking point, what do you intend to do about it?  always always have a plan.  Write it down, it isn't in stone so it's flexible, changeable, re-workable, but at least have a good idea of what you intend to do then how you plan to get there and have a 'then what' plan. What is a 'then what?' plan?

Let me explain it like this.  My son caleb has always annoyed the living hell  snail snot out of me with the following conversation "Mom what you're plan for the day?" Insert my reply to which he nods and asks "And Then what?"  It's an endless vicious cycle.  He keeps asking 'and then what' until I finally say out of frustration "I don't know...I haven't planned that far ahead?"  And most annoying of all after that he'll ask "Why not?"

So that's the 'then what' plan.  You keep planning far enough ahead so that you have good long range idea fo what you want to do and where you want to go.  Then you plan some more.

Once you hit your breaking point, and you will eventually get there, Give 'and then what' a try for a day or two.  It's worth it.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

First 5k Down...When's the next one?

Walking a 5k instead of running was just a bit on the humiliating side after all the running I've done.  Especially so when some of the people participating the the 5k have seen and commented on seeing me run yet there I was walking it.  There were a lot of people walking, but I wanted to be in the runners' group!  However, shin splints have once again reared their ugly heads and it's time to go to the doctor to have a look at what the exact problem is.  I've been running since February.  That's 3 months of running in the cold, in the rain, with shin splints, without shin splints, and in 3 different pairs of 'special' running shoes.  Surely at 41 I'm not so over the hill and so overweight still that I can't overcome obstacles as mundane as shin splints.

I did run with them, except that the pain has become so unbearable that I want to cry.  It feels like someone kicked me in the shins with steel toe boots. Sigh.

Otherwise, I feel great and really want to do it again!  Where and when is the next one?

Monday, April 25, 2011

When You're Afraid

One of my co-workers walked up to me last week and said "I want to lose weight, but I'm afraid."

My automatic response was "Afraid of what?'

Her reply was "I'll fail, I like bread too much."

She's a carb addict and that's okay.  Sometimes fear is an indication of needing more information.  Bread is not necessarily the enemy here.  It's the overly processed stuff that deserves the bad rap. My advice was simple, find a better bread.  Pepperidge Farms 15 grain bread, has a lot of calories but it also has a lot of fiber, it doesn't have high fructose corn syrup in it and is more satisfying than plain old white bread.  There's also a brand of bread called Healthy Life with no high fructose corn syrup and has many forms, from 35 calorie to sugar free to high fiber content and everything in between.  If you can't find a bread you like in the Healthy Life bread line you're not really serious about weight loss.

It's okay too, to indulge in a pastry or pie or cookie every once in a while. I ate mashed potatoes this weekend.  I'm not the food police, enjoy what you like, in moderation.

If you find yourself afraid, ask yourself what it is you're afraid of?  Do you need more information?  If so, research it, ask questions.  Don't live in fear.  It's better to try to defeat your fear than let it rule your life.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

In My Mary Kay Starter Kit

Surprised?  I also sold Pampered Chef, I made more money with Pampered Chef, but I got bored with it.  I"m not going to try to recruit you, oh no, I was just thinking about the speeches I listened to years ago about "What Was In MY Mary Kay Starter Kit" and it started me thinking about what I finally decided was in my starter kit: I had 2 toddlers and was a stay at home mom when I started selling Mary Kay in 2000 not so much for anything other than something to do and to be around adult women. My director was a woman out of Richmond Texas so I was 'adopted' by a local director who inadvertently made me feel like I was less than desireable because I was a stay at home mom living in a trailer with no life so I decided to sell Mary Kay. While that was true, she should have never appraoched my situation like that.  She would use me as an example to shame her 'unit' into recruiting because 'there poor Melissa was in that trailer with 2 kids and we didnt' find her, someone from Texas did..."  They weren't looking for me, I was looking for them. Somewhere to fit in. Somewhere to belong.  Obviously it wasn't in her 'adopted' unit.

It wasn't long before I was blessedly adopted by another director and started going places, not with finances, but actually out of the house and travelling with my new adopted Mary Kay unit.  That may have been the best thing to ever have happened to me.  I went to my first Mary Kay Career Conference with Le Ann Moses, and became fast best buddies, shopping partners, and out and out partners in crime as our husbands began calling us.  This career conference is also where I first set eyes on Mary Kay Ash herself, in a taped interview, but hey it was Mary Kay speaking and she was quite the public speaker, but I began to feel I really was called to do something better with my life, but I also knew it wouldn't be in the Mary Kay company.

As I sat out with outher consultants during lunch break I noted how many of them were dowdy dumpy frumpy overly made up overweight women.  They were some of the nicest, friendliest, kindest  women you would ever meet, but...they, like me, were overweight. And it made me wonder if they were looking for that same something I was looking for?  Acceptance maybe?

I heard one of the top directors at Career Conference say "I can't promise you what is inside that Mary Kay starter kit, it might be a vacation, it might be your children's college education, or it might even be a pink cadillac. What is in there is what you decide."

I remember sighing as I watched my very last MK order delivered just knowing that I was one of those fat dumpy frumpy overweight Mary Kay failures, except, my Senior director told me something I never forgot.  "Melissa I feel a leader in you.  You have a presence about you that just draws people to you.  You're going to be great."  It may have been a canned, rehearsed speech.  It may have been something she told everyone in her unit, but I took it to heart because no one else ever said that to me, ever.

My husband has always said I should have been a teacher. So, in reading your comments, and putting those two random comments together I wonder if I've found my leadership potential that my senior director commented on, or my inner teacher has found her way out?  Who knows?

Just last week one of my friends from church said I had inspired her to get out of her house and walk because she had seen me out walking and running in the dead heat of the afternoon.

Maybe what was in that pink boxed starter kit wasn't a pink cadillac, but my self confidence, and a couple of lifelong friends, and who can put a price on those?

I dont' feel like a leader. Most of the time I feel like a massive failure who has been tossed out in the fore front because I was brave enough to put my weight problems in a blog?

If I can do it, you can too, regardless of how overweight you are, no matter your age, no matter your health problems, you can do it.  One step at a time, then two.  You don't have to do what I do because I'm not a doctor, or a weight loss expert, or a trainer.  I'm just me. If you need to, build on what I have in this blog, tweak it to make it your own.  Only you know yourself better than anyone else. You know your limits.  You know your drive. You know your motivation.

Feel free to tell me about it or not, your choice.

Right now, I'm going to surf the net.  I've already been out on a one mile walk, I'll be doing some toning exercises later this afternoon and some sun bathing while grilling chicken for supper.  My kids have some school work to do and I have a house to clean.  I'm off from Kmart tonight. That's how I spend my days, and I blog a little on the side.

Mel

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Stability Balls should come with warnings

Actually they do come with warnings, but I'm just human enough to read them and ignore them.  My ball rolled out from under me yesterday dumping me on the floor, hurting my shoulder.  I'm nice and sore from it today.  It sort of feels like a sprain. Can one sprain a shoulder?  I'm thinking yes and if it isn't any better tomorrow I'll probably go to the doctor. 

Lovely.

I had a wonderful workout on the ball otherwise, even getting back on it after my spill.  It didnt' hurt immediately so I thought I wasn't hurt.  My abs are a bit sore today too. ahhh!  I know I worked out yesterday!  Going to go run later this afternoon before the rain gets here again.  April showers are supposed to bring May flowers so I better have some gorgeous flowers next month!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Oopsie alert! And a recipe

A few pages back there's a recipe for tofu cheesecake, for whatever reason it doesn't turn out right. When I get a chance I'll go back and find the paper version of the recipe to see what I did wrong.

In the meantime here's a yummy recipe that my family adores.  It isn't low calorie, but it is pretty good and on the not so bad for you list:

1 bag frozen CHEESE ravioli
1 turkey sausage cut into half inch thick slices
1 15-20 oz can organic spaghetti sauce
1 bag grated/shredded cheese
2 tbsp ground flaxseed

Pour the ravioli into a deep baking dish.  Toss the sausage rounds in with the ravioli.  Pour spaghetti sauce over the mixture, cover with cheese. Sprinkle with ground flaxsed.  Place in 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  Serve with a side salad of your choice, dressing on the side, whole/multigrain rolls, and drink of your choice. 

Enjoy.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I suppose it's all in how you look at it?

I'm in a rambly talkative mood tonight so just hang with me.

Don't get me wrong after reading the post below.  I am still participating in the 5K just not on the level I'd hoped to be on.  It's my first 5k so I'm  not supposed to be superwoman, right?

Last night one of my co-workers stopped me to tell me she'd eaten cake every day last week but had still lost 3 pounds.  She rocks!   Cake doesnt' like my stomach.  Nowadays most sweet things don't like my stomach, nor do salty or greasy things, not that I dont' eat them anyway, I just don't eat as much.

I'm proud of her.  It goes to show it's not necessarily what you eat but how much, or in this case it isn't even about quality but quantity?

Have you seen those  news articles about the man who ate nothing but twinkies for a month (ewww gross!) and lost a lot of weight?  Event the more famous Jarret or Jarrod? Who ate subway sandwiches to lose weight. I'd hate to know what their blood sugar levels, choleseterol counts, and so on are, wouldn't you?

I used to love Subway, but I've not eaten there in years because of a snub they gave homeschoolers.  I had eaten there frequently up to that point.  Hmmm, I didn't lose a pound either.  Gained a lot though.

I ate out frequently because I was hardly ever home.  And I was hardly ever home because we lived in the modern day equivalent of a hovel.  A singlewide 30 year old trailer with no heat or air.  The windows were either open or closed but wouldn't do both.  I would load my babies in the car in the early morning hours before it got too hot because my car had dual air conditioning, you  know the kind where you roll the windows down on either side =), and we would go to grandma's   house or we would go to WalMart where there was a McDonald's inside.  We would hang around all day and eat at Mickey D's.  How's that for keeping your girlish figure?  I used to joke I didn't have curves but now that I do they curve in the wrong direction!

Nowadays we're living in a house, unfortunately the air has decided not to work for whatever reason so we're running ceiling fans until the air is fixed.  We don't get out and run around and eat out like we used to, but it's just as easy to eat bad stuff while sitting in front of the computer or television, or Wii console.  In fact it's even more inviting to eat bad stuff, live the couch potato lifestyle and pretend that you're not fat, you're just fluffy.  Try telling that to your insulin levels, I'm sure they'll pay attention.

I'm in the mood to run tonight, but my shins feel like I've been kicked, hard, repeatedly in the shins due to the shin splints.  Yay, fun...not.

The boys are off to their friend's house for the evening.  Hubby still at work.  I've already had my daily dose of natural, sun provided vitamin D and I scrubbed my bathroom and the kitchen.  Wonder what else I can find to get into?

5k speed bump Ahead

Seventeen days until my first ever 5k.  Not sure how I feel about it since there's no way I can run the whole thing now that shin splints are rearing their ugly heads again. What do I have to do to get past them once and for all?  I did exactly what I was told, R.I.C.E. and get different running shoes with maximum stability since I overpronate..  What did it get me? some time off, my shins felt fine until today, I've been told to pushon through it I've also been told to not push through it as it may result in stress fractures.  I dont' need stress fractures!

I'm looking at plan B...running part and walking the rest since it is a run/walk 5k.  I'd rather be running it, but will accept that I can't and look ahead to the next one in May.

Monday, April 11, 2011

In Case You Missed It

For my followers here who don't have me friended on facebook, click on the post title to go to my 'story'


Where do I go from here?  5k at the endo f the month. Bikini body by august...and I have the outline of a book in the rough draft stages.  Sounds like a plan huh?

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Get on your feet

Or off your ass, depending on how you want to look at it.  I did both =)

I've been out on the trail at Tellico today since about 8:30.  It's a beautiful, sunny, HUMID, spring morning. 

Shin splints are not bothering me.  I can slow run or fast jog, again, depending on how you want to look at it, for a good bit now.  I'm certainly not up to a 5k, but I'm going to do it anyway.  This will be my first 5k and I'm actually excited about it.  Even in my teens at 88 pounds I couldn't run.  Just goes to show, it doesn't matter  how much you weigh, skinny isn't any healthier than fat. Take good care of yourself.  You only have one body, if it gives out on you, you're in a lot of trouble.

I find my motivation and strength in different things.  My original motivation was the mean spirited comment about my being 'third rate, fat, old, and gray."  Truth be told, those were two seperate comments made on two different days within the same week.  And I stupidly, or blindly, I'm not sure which any more, agreed with it.  Then I got mad.  I don't like putting words in peoples mouths any more than I like having words put in mine.  And I had a secret arsenal, the strong will and determination I'd garnered growing up.  I wasn't raised by weak parents.  I didn't have weak willed grandparents.  I  doubt you'll find much in the way off weak will anywhere if you search either my paternal or maternal sides.

I also understand not everyone has that kind of strength of will and determination. 

You have to look deep inside you to find it.  I'd buried mine for some reason.  Take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror, naked if you have to and tell yourself the truth.  Is fat truly beautiful to you?  If so, then tell your detractors to go have some cake and ice cream.  If not, search even deeper, find your motivation, make a goal and go for it.

I'll support you when no one else will.  I'll root for you; be on your side even when you're wiping crumbs off your mouth for the tenth time today.  I' might get a bit frustrated with you, but hey, I'm human, so are you. We all have our weaknesses/limitations.  You probably know what yours are.  Figure out a way to deal with it your way.

This is how I did it:

1) Find your motivation, actually it was handed to me on a silver platter.
2) Set a realistic goal.  2 pounds off this month 2x12 is 24 pound in  year afterall, (psst!I'll bet you lose more)
3) Make small, gradual changes in your eating habits.
4) Don't deny yourself anything, especially if it's something you enjoy, just limit it to enough to satisfy your cravings.  Usually a bite or two makes me happy.
5) Get up and move.  You don't have to run a 5k.  I hadn't planned on a 5k in my life, now that it's approaching pretty quickly, I want it here so I can go on to the next 5k.  I"m afraid I may need intervention eventually!
6) I know I just said get up and move, but blog about your trials and tribulations.  Sometimes, when I'm writing I solve my own dilemma.  Usually it smacks me on the head.

When I first started my blog, it was with the intentions to chronicle my weight loss story.  It is starting to take on a life of its own. It's giving me serious performance anxiety =p.  Don't get me wrong, I love followers and I crave comments much like I want some ice cream right now, but I have a very serious fear of failure too.  Cheer me on and I'll cheer you on.

Deal?

Thursday, April 7, 2011

WOW! Hi Everyone!

Just a short post to let you know that I'm having comp problems, yet again, and I had NO CLUE that my story had been posted on AOL.

I'm so glad you found me!

I should be back up and running soon and I have a lot to say.  I do get very opinionated and bossy so just hang with me, we'll all reach our goals together, one way or another.

Melissa

Thursday, March 31, 2011

It's all about lifestyle change, stupid!

I get so frustrated when I see people on health sites asking 'how much should I eat?" or "What portion size should I eat?"  Really?  You need me or anyone else to tell you how much to eat?  If I tell you 4oz chicken breast will that make you happy?  Actually, if you did ask me, I'm going to say "How much do you ned to eat to feel satisfied?"

I've found that when told you can have a 4 oz chicken breast you're going to feel like that is a limit not be exceeded, therefore your "I'm still hungry"  rebellious mode is going to kick on, even if you aren't really hungry, and you're going to eat more.  Afterwards, you'll feel like a failure, blame the diet for being too strict, gain your weight back, and the viscious yo yo loop will continue.

Let's face it folks, none of us like limits because we feel like we're being denied something; so forget the limit/how much can I eat okay?  It doesn't work. 

Eat until you're satisfied not until you're full because your 'full' sensor doesn't kick on until it's too late, you've already over indulged.

I 'm also concerned  with your obsession  over 'how much food' ?  Are you worried you'll starve?  Is the food limitations a bellweather as to whether or not you'll even attempt the 'diet'?  If it is , don't bother with losing weight, you've already set yourself up for failure.

Maybe the question should be "How do I go about dieting?"  Actually if you're just dieting and you need portion control/limits placed on you so you can have permission to rebel against the limits, fine, diet. There are literally thousands of diet plans out there. Go find one to fail at and quit asking  questions like "How much am I allowed to eat?"   Food Junkie.....eeeesh!

When you're ready to commit, let me know.  But be warned, the second you ask "How much food...."  You're probably going to be smacked upside the head if I can reach you fast enough.

If you are serious about a committed lifestyle CHANGE to become a much thinner healthier person then do the work yourself.  Find what fits you and your lifestyle, your needs, wants, desires for your body and do it.

We all know what is and isn't good for us. We all pretty much know what is a calorie and fat laden food and what isn't. You don't need anyone to tell you how or what to eat, you need to exercise common sense and maybe do a little research, make some trial and error on your own to find what fits you and your lifestyle.

Lifestyle change is a serious no holds barred commitment to doing what it takes to get there. You take the successes with the hard knocks.  Get up, wipe the crumbs off your mouth, wipe off your knees or butt, depending on which way you fell, and get going again.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Short Product Review + recipe

I have a new best friend.  Actually she's been around for a long time.  Mrs. Dash.  She comes in soooo many flavors thses days that it's hard to pick just one.  However, I cook a lot of poultry and fish so I narrowed the field to just one; Carribean Citrus.  The flavor is just right, just a little spicy, and no salt!  You just can't beat it.

Fast recipe

1/4 cup sherry
1 tbsp Mrs Dash Carribean Citrus  spice
1/4 cup GrapeOla

4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts

Mix the first 3 ingredients then pour over chicken breasts.  Let them marinate about an hour or overnight. Place the chicken in a nonstick skillet or coat a skillet with grapeola, and cover.  I usually use a n electric skillet. Or you can bake them in the oven, I just like to cook mine in an electric skillet with the lid on it for about 20 minutes total time. I have also been know to pour the marinade over the chicken while it cooks.  You can also use this for salmon or other types of fish.  It's yummy!

EDIT: WHAT IS GRAPEOLA:  It's grape seed oil.  It has lots of 'good for you' stuff in it, better than Canola or Olive (my opinion only) I buy it at Bi-Lo.  You can order it online at Amazon.com.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Is it summer yet?

I made a 1 mile run Sunday.  A very slow one mile run, but I did it!  and I havent' gone back to do a repeat.  I am once again becoming a professional self saboteur.  I can get a long long way, finally get good at what I want to do, then I get scared or performance anxiety, I'm not sure which and stop.  I'm not sure how to get past that mental roadblock.  I can just do it anyway, but I have to get in a position where I can just do it anyway.  If I don't have my running shoes on then I'm not going to run.  If I don't have my Pilate's stuff out and ready to go then I'm not going to exercise...sigh.

Interestingly enough, I have my running shoes on now, at 1:15 a.m.  and just where do I think I'm going to run exactly?

If I am going to run in the 5k on April 30th then I need to get my running groove on right?  Would someone kindly point me in the direction of my groove or point it in my direction?  We seem to have missed each other somewhere along the way these past 2 days.

I got to lay out in the sun today.  I actually fell asleep while outside. It's a thousand wonders I didn't get burnt.  It was just a taste of what's on its way and I'm hoping it will get me back in the mood to run and exercise again.

I seriously need a membership at the YMCA so I can swim or use the weight room or take some fun classes.
I seriously need a membership at a tanning salon to make use of the tanning beds and saunas and body wraps there.
I seriously need to get off my backside and get moving!

Is it summer yet?  Though that's no excuse to not exercise if it's not summer.  I'm just feeling whiny again and I don't like when I get like this and it seems to come around more and more frequently of late. Maybe because I'm not outside as much as I need to be?  I've had to seriously cut back on good for me groceries because I refuse to pay that much for out of season fruits and veggies, maybe it's my body saying hey dummy the good for you stuff is expensive but so is a heart attack, stroke, and diabetes!

Maybe it's time to pay attention to me again?

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Four things that help

Lose Weight that is

1) Get enough sleep which is something I've been struggling with as I get older and my hormone levels fluctuate.  Especially when I get off track with my supplements.

2) Eat a good breakfast.  Protein and carbs get the day off to a good start and fuel your body. Seriously!  The 'experts' seem to be right on this one.  I usually have 2 scrambled eggs with torn up baby spinach and cheese mixed in on a slice of Pepperidge Farms 15 grain whole wheat bread, 4 oz milk and 4 oz orange juice.  I'm good to go til noon.

3)  HYDRATE.  Liquid is liquid.  You will see people say only water counts.  That is false.  If you have caffeinated drinks or sugary drinks, they are still liquid.  I counter my bad drink choices with extra water.  Don't have anything to drink with your food.  It dilutes your digestive juices and prevents proper absorption of the nutrients in your food.  If must have soemthing to drink with your food, only take small sips.

4) Get off your butt and move.  I didn't say exercise.  Get up and do something fun, start a new hobby that distracts you from sitting in front of the computer or t.v. and eating all the time. Or, hey, silly me, go for a walk and get soem exercise after all =)

Sunday, March 13, 2011

No subject

Readers, this is your fair warning.  A down in the dumps alert...Sometimes I just need to talk myself through the rough spots. I get afraid, sometimes, of what my life will be like when I get to my 'goal'.  I think part of that is from people saying they think I look great now.  Really?  I'm hovering at the 200 pound mark and I look great?  When I look in my mirror I see a fat woman who knows how to dress to hide weight.  What will I look like at 140?  Will I look great? Or will I have tons of loose wrinkly skin hanging all over like an elephant?  Will I look old and worn out?  Will I gain it all back plus some?

Sometimes I think I won't get to my goal and that I'm just wasting my time especially when I step on the scale and discover I've not lost a pound or worse yet GAINED!  What is wrong with me that I can't lose the weight all of a sudden?  Maybe the problem is that I sometimes feel content.  I think that's what my  husband is banking on. That I feel content and stop trying so I don't make him look bad.  Am I right or just paranoid?  When did I let paranoia creep into this equation?

I am so frustrated with my weight right now that I can't see straight.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Coupon links for the 'Good for you' Foods

Once upon a time I was not an organic food fan.  I thought it was expensive, and it is, if you don't know what you're doing.  A heart attack, stroke, diabetes is even more expensive so I started going for the good stuff.  You don't have to pay a lot of money, you just have to learn to shop smart.  Use coupons, join mailing lists, and keep a sharp eye out.  It's time to start paying attention to what you're putting in your body.  Garbage in is certainly GARBAGE OUT.  You're killing yourself eating all that processed JUNK.

I find cutting paper seriously therapeutic.  Couponing allows me to cut paper, but the thing I hate most about couponing is the general lack of good things for you.  I can find all kinds of sweetened cereal, pasta, mac n cheese, sodium laden pasta sauces and breaded appetizers a body could want, but what I find disturbingly missing is the good stuff.  Where are the organics, the low sodium, low sugar, not artificial stuffs located?  And besides that, just how much lysol and toliet paper do you really need?

First Up  Organic Valley Coop  They evidently haven't updated their list of grocers who carry their product, however, I have seen it a WalMart and EarthFare. Milk, cheese, eggs, cream, butter

Udi's Gluten Free Foods  Gluten free for those who have food allergies.  Friend them on facebook too for cool deals.  I got a coupon for a free item.  I tried the double chocolate chip muffins.  MMMMMMMMmmmmmm good!

Horizon Dairy  Organic Milk.

Egg*Land's Best  Cage Free organic eggs.  Watch the Sunday paper inserts they're in there frequently too.

Wild Harvest  Organic Ground Coffee, Organic Soy Milk, Natural Cereals,  Organic raisins, Organic Eggs,  organic maple syrup,  organic pancakes,  organic yogurt.  Usually $1 off coupons for different products.

Knudsen Juices  exactly what it says, different juices, just watch the sugar content...

Earth Bound Farm  Click products then the free stuff and more tab.  Also watch the fresh produce aisles in your local grocery story they often have recipe books with coupons in the back.  I picked up some last week with 2 75cent coupons on the back.

Eden Organics  sign up for their online newsletter to get coupons.  Flour and cooking needs




Hodgson Mill  I use their flour, cornmeal, ground flaxseed, wheat germ....you get the idea  You have to email them for coupons though

Bobs Red Mill  Flours and cooking spices.


My most favorite oil in the world to cook with,  GrapeOla, manufactured by Kusha Rice, doesn't offer a coupon, yet.  However you can find it at Amazon.com in all sorts of sizes and prices ranges. 

If you haven't signed up at earthfare.com  you need to do so soon.  They have awesome freebie coupons every month.  We got a chicken dinner for free with a $10 purchase.  I have 2 teen boys so we just bought extra chicken and fixins which took care of the additional $10 purchase, might as well be practical right?

So there's my grocery finds for the week.  I'll have more next week.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Just To Give myself a good idea

Numbers are hard, unyielding truth tellers!


September Weight 208  Neck 15.5   Biceps 14  Bust 40 Waist 36  Hips 47    Thigh 27  Calf 17

October        205              15             14             36          36              45.5        24             17

November     203             15              13            34.5         36              45          24             17


December     Who knows?

January          Again, who knows

February     196!

March        196          15.5            13                    34            35          45          23              17


Not too shabby but those numbers should have been better had I kept up with my own program and not been on Facebook all hours of the day and night.  That place is just plain addicting and shold be avoided!

By the end of March My goal is 190 with an inch off each measurment that I'm starting with today.  There!  Goal for the month made.

How do I get there:  Run every day whether I want to or not..  Drink more lemon water (hate the stuff but it helps with bloat)  More fruits and veggies less carbs (I back slid help!), stay off of facebook, lift weights, Suzanne Deason...paging suzanne Deason! Pilates and Stability Ball STAT!  Go to bed at a decent hour.
MORE WATER!

And there ya go.  time to get off my backside to cook supper and do some laundry.

Mel

Fat Girls Can Run

Although I must say I'm insulted that I was told I needed a certain kind of shoe to runin because I weigh over 180 lbs.  I shouldn't be insulted.  The person who said was being nice and trying to be gentle when uttering those words.  So what to do when told I need a certain pair of shoes because I'm fat, I buy them.  I like them pretty well.  I want another pair, Brooks Ariel, a bit out of my price range, but that's okay.  I WILL OWN THEM EVENTUALLY!

Shin splints are still causing a problem though not as badly, probably where they haven't healed from where I ran in the not so good running shoes.  I made it nearly a mile today.  My cool down (where my breathing and heart rate return to normal instead of the omg I'm going to burst if you don't stop now!) took less than 2 minutes so I 'm taking that as a good sign.

I'm using Couch to 5K running program and I must say it works!  Find them on Facebook or google it.

My biggest problem with running is the voracious appetite that hits me about an hour or so later.  I'm countering with protein and water, but I'm not sure that's what I'm supposed to do?  I really really really want carbs!  Lots of Carbs.  ANY carbs lol!  Ignore ignore ignore!

Thinking Pilates with Suzanne Deason is on the schedule for tonight.  I need a good stretch to get my  bikini waistline 'on' . August is 6 months away and I have to make a very strong point about why we don't insult the wife no matter how angry and jealous we are.  Once said point is made, then I make sure the point is permanently ingrained by not gaining any of the weight back until I'm 80 and in a nursing home where I'll still look better than those other old bats in there with me. =)  How's that for a goal?  I figure if Helen Mirren can sport a stunning bikini body in her 60's so can I.