It's Here

My first deadline is here....I'm two pounds shy of reaching my goal...am I gonna cry about it? NO! I've come a long way and I'm very happy! =D If you'll notice I have not been posting how much I've actually lost....is seems by advertising it that I actually jinx myself. So for now I'll remain quite. ;)

Still Pressing On!

Been a busy day, cleaned house for a family member that has been very sick, came home and made dinner, relaxed for a time, put kids in bed and did my cardio/strength training. I'm pooped and my muscles are fatigued! I really need to got get in bed since I'll be cleaning another house tomorrow....and it's not mine either! O.O

The countdown is official....two days to go until my first deadline/goal. What will this deadline hold for me? Only the scale will tell the tale! Hopefully it won't be a nightmare!

3 more miles tacked on making the grand total.....drum roll please!

99.5 miles ripped to shreds!

Nearing My First Goal

I'm almost there....my first goal deadline is coming on Thursday. I must say that my goal is in sight as well! =D Finished up some items on the "to do" list....banking, some cleaning, wrapping, laundry and last but certainly not least- cardio! WooHOO!! tacking on another 3 to the total...will I hit 100 before the week is over? The outlook is looking good!

Total Miles Singed! = 96.5

No Pain No Gain....At Least That's What They Say!

"Who is they?" you ask...I'm not sure but I'm positive that's what they said! haha Anyway, I've slacked slightly on my blogging updates but I'm still going at it. I think my shopping is basically finished and most is wrapped! =D A few items are coming in the mail, but I'm so looking forward to the rest of the week.

I'm quite proud of myself today. We woke up this morning to get ready for church. Had enough time to eat breakfast of two poached eggs and toast (dry) with coffee and water. Then after service we went to the Olive Garden...I know what you thinking.....temptation central! lol I had one breadstick, salad and then ordered a new dish with capellini and seafood....is was listed as one of the lower fat dishes and it was pretty good. Took more than half of it home too. This afternoon I found myself at in-law's house and surrounded by more temptation. Cookies, dip, chips, homemade carmels and more baked goods....WOW! that was kind of hard, but I made it through. I had a small amount of pretzels and one little scoop of dip. Came home and ate an orange. Phew! Another eating disaster diverted! lol

Trusting you all have a great week too!

85.5 + 8= 93.5 miles burned

Where Has My Week Gone???!!

It is only half over but seems like it is already disappeared! Updates on my craziness to follow!

Burn Baby Burn!

Seemed to get a lot accomplished today....cleaned the kitchen, master bath and did a ton of laundry- you'd think I was operating a Chinese Laundromat! lol

T was feeling better and then woke up this morning not feeling very good. Still nauseated from our little bug. =( I can say that I am back to officially being "normal" or at least my version of it! haha

There predicting snow for tomorrow! Yahoo! If it's going to be cold it mind as well snow! But if I know the Ohio Valley we won't get much more than a dusting....and so goes the days of my life!

Jumped on the treadmill for 4 more miles. I also did my cardio/strength training last night, but my internet decided to stop working before I could post. =S So my totals reflect a couple of days.

85.5 Miles Eliminated!

Feeling Normal.....Sort of

Starting to really feel normal for a change. Stomach has been on the weak side since the stomach flu hit over the weekend. Unfortunately, T did come down with it yesterday =( but seems to be getting better this evening. So far so good for little D!

Can't believe Christmas is coming so quickly! =O December is passing me by...not necessarily from Christmas stuff but from life in general.

Did 2.5 miles on the treadmill last night and then some strength training.

Total Miles Butchered = 77.5

Still Cranking It Out!

I'm here.....although my body isn't cooperating the way I want it to. Caught the stomach flu from M who had thrown up only hours before...fun =S My case hasn't been as bad as his and we're on the mend by the Grace of God. Fortunately, Hubby and D have escaped the creeping crud thus far. :)

Still watching what I'm eating and doing my cardio/strength training. Not getting in as much calorie burn as before, but hopefully when my calendar clears a bit (do you hear the laughing?) then I can ramp it up.

Have been doing lots of errands/chores these last few days, but things are getting done around here. Still more to do....always more to do. lol

Helped the hubby put up some Christmas lights outside for the first time. He promised years ago that he would do it for the kids when they were old enough to enjoy it. So since we are staying in town this year it was time to fulfill his promise. Thanks Babe! They look great! =D

Good day but pooped out!

Total Miles Put On Ice = 71.5!

Its the Busy Season

Or should I say the busier season?! Christmas is coming and with it all the hectic events that follow. This year I'm trying to get as much done as early as possible. Come Christmas week I want to do nothing but the things that I want to do! Such as bake with the kiddos, visiting/fellowship and just having plain fun....oh and cardio! lol Tis the season to gain weight, but NOT ME! I will resist! lol

Did my cardio tonight.

Total Miles Rubbed Out! = 69

Update!

Not going to type everything right now....just want to update my miles from the last couple of days.

New total = 66.5 miles

Surviving!

Making it through this difficult week....by the skin of my chinny chin chin! Ha! Did my exercising yesterday and looking forward to some more today...believe or not when you get really into and start working out hard you actually get a "buzz" off of it. I think that's a good thing don't you?

Did my cleaning job this morning and just had lunch. Getting ready to start some Thanksgiving cooking/baking. I'll be able to get it all done today so I don't have to bake tomorrow! =D Instead I can do cardio! =D =D

1 mile from the other day and 5 from last night.....

Total Miles Executed = 60!

Detox

Well the bday dinner is over...thank goodness! I ate more than I should have (but it could have been worse! =) and exercised less than I should have. Tomorrow is all about the detox. Lots of water, watching the calories and lots of cardio! I have two days to be back on track before Turkey Day. Gobble, gobble, gobble!

Death By Sugar!

Well, today's party is over....strategy working so far. Only small piece of cake left which will go to kids and T tomorrow! =) I did eat a little bit of cake and ice cream and had some dip with baked chips. The dip was really yummy, but I felt totally gross after eating the cake and ice cream. It's amazing how it effects you when you haven't been eating that kind of stuff for a while. My lunch was very good! I had the Chicken Spendinie (spelling?) (grilled chicken on skewers with roasted vegetables. It was fantastic and would definitely order again! And the calories fit into my budget! =D

Now, time for pie baking.....that's not the half of it.....T has requested chicken wings for his bday dinner! =O I'm planning on maybe having a couple but then eating something else...just not officially sure yet. Will I survive? YES!

No exercise for today. =(

Back in the Saddle!

I'm back and burning rubber! lol Did about 115 minutes worth of cardio and strength training. Feeling really good. I was surprise at how easy it seemed for me tonight. I did light walking on Thursday and nothing major on Friday...more of a day of rest. Apparently, my body really enjoyed the rest! It's becoming addicting...I guess that's a good thing since I have to do this most likely the rest of my life if I want to control my weight....lets not think about that right now! lol

The deadly cake has been made. The pie will be made Monday. I'm supposed to go to eat tomorrow at the Macaroni Grill =O I've already checked their menu online to give me some lean options. I will survive! =D

Total Miles Snuffed Out = 54!!

Sinful Sweets! =O

Today we went to craft day for our little homeschool group and had a great time! There was lots of yummy goodies to be had- both sweet and savory. I did partake of them, but tried not to overdo. One thing I notice, if I do eat those type of foods then I seem to have a harder time controlling myself throughout the rest of the day. I had to do some shopping this evening for some exercise gear and then to the store for some groceries. Monday is T's bday.....UGH! He has requested his fav cake and also a cherry pie- YIKES!! Not to mention later that same weekend is Thanksgiving......=O I'm officially frightened. I've been working really hard these last two weeks and I don't want to blow it all in one week. So they say the key is to plan ahead. Strategy....take cake with us to his family's house and share it! he, he.....there will be enough people there that most if not all the cake will be gone before we come home! So that leaves only the pie to worry about lurking around the house and staring at me...hmmmm....perhaps we could arrange an accident for it. lol No no, I'm just kidding, but perhaps I can challenge myself to leave it just for him.

Thanksgiving is another story....I'm trying to think of some ways to lighten the meal up, but still enjoy what I like the most. I really like a traditional style meal for Thanksgiving...I think more than anything is some of the memories that go with it...not to mention turkey and cornbread stuffing is to die for! I will also be trying to boost my cardio as much as possible to help burn off any unsavory calories that manage to make it into my mouth.

Didn't get to post yesterday...went cookbook selling so I got some walking in, but not as much as I would like. Plan to get back with the routine tomorrow morning.

Fully Loaded!

Was loaded with energy today! Did one mile on treadmill and two sessions of aerobics! Woot! Woot! Food intake awesome! Been really tracking my intake. Trying to keep the calories in check while consuming nutrient dense foods. Once you get in the groove it gets a whole lot easier!

Total Miles Conquered = 47.5!

Can Ya Keep Up?!

He, he! I'm at it again- blazing the trails! Did another 4.5 today....2 miles on treadmill and 50 minutes of aerobics/ab workout. Phew! I'm tired and I'll sleep like a baby.

Doing pretty good on the eating and keeping the calories in check. Upward and onward.

Total Miles Fricasseed = 42!

Still Chugging Along

Busy day today. Wasn't really up to working out this evening, but made myself do it. Cardio and strength training....now heading off to the showers and bed! Peace out!

Total Miles Creamed = 37.5

Winding Down

Here I am....sitting on the couch and pooped out! Did good today...cereal for breakfast, grilled salmon (no oil or butter) on a salad with hamburger/vegetable soup for lunch and the remaining portion of my salmon for dinner. Downfall you ask....I had a weak few moments this evening and had some baked lays, honey mustard and a piece of chicken. It wasn't that bad I just wish I hadn't ate it so late! GRR.

On the upside- I did another 5 miles today!

Total miles scorched = 35

Blazing Down the Trail

Did 6.5 miles on the treadmill (which included walking on an incline and jogging) with some strength training afterwards. The lower part of my body feels like it might fall off. lol I'm tired and ready for bed.

Total Miles Torched = 30!

A Rest

Today I'm taking as my resting day from exercising...it's been a whole week since I last did that. Ate great today, but I'm hungry so I'm going to bed before I open the frig! lol Peace out!

A New Surge

Well, my second wind kicked in and after putting everyone to bed I strapped on the sneakers and hit the pavement...well not really the pavement....instead I did about 50 minutes of aerobics. Doing good...I'm feeling a bit hungry but don't really feel tempted to eat. I need to shower and get to bed. So I can get my beauty rest and boy do I need it these days! lol

Total Miles Obliterated! = 23.5 Yeehaw!

Boy My Dogs Are Barkin'

I'm pooped and my feet are howling! lol Rushed through my day today to be ready for door-to-door cookbook sales this afternoon. What a grand afternoon it was! The Lord blessed us with perfect weather....I can hardly believe it's November! Now, I'm kicking back in the rocking chair, resting my tootsies and drinking an energy drink (don't worry it's only 40 calories!) hoping for a major surge so I can get on that treadmill!

I think it's safe to say that my stroll this afternoon was worth at least a mile...

Total so far = 21 miles

Banana Bread Anyone?

Ok, today started out pretty decent, but slowly went downhill from there. Had a good breakfast of poached eggs, toast (no butter:) and coffee (made by my fantabulous husband!). Then it was off to clean someone else's house- there's just something wrong about that! lol at least I bring money home with me. Anyway, I'm noticing how I have more energy and just feel better in general. Lunch was a little pitiful though...I made the mistake of getting out the baked lays and snacked a little too much. But had an apple afterwards. Dinner was homemade chili....mostly broth based so that was good, BUT the cornbread was hard to resist...had several small pieces (my tummy is growling just thinking about it). Then came the really hard part- the banana bread....had some bananas that were way too ripe to eat, but I didn't want to waste them so I made bread with them to surprise the fam! Boy was it good....YUP I could not at least have one piece! But to punish myself for my bad deeds I hopped on the treadmill for a short time then I did step aerobics and strength training. Oh, and I almost forgot, I even walked with the kids this afternoon. Loving the mild November weather!

Total miles incinerated = 20!

Chugging Along

Been burning rubber again....tonight another 72 minutes on treadmill and 500 calories gone. Been watching my diet closely. I'm journaling what I've been eating... just not listing it here. To much to type! haha

On another high note I'm making great strides in overcoming my late night snack addiction. Don't get me wrong I still think about it, but I feel I'm in better control of myself...something I haven't felt in a while. One incentive...I've been working too hard to sabotage myself!

Total Miles Burned: 16.5

Putting on the Miles

Yesterday evening I did Denise Austin's Ultimate Fat Burner and then after dinner I did another 30 minutes on the treadmill plus numerous strength training moves. Needless to say I slept very well.

I will begin tracking my miles...more for my own pleasure to see how far I've gone. Miles will be tracked by miles and other cardio will be tracked by every 20 minutes = a mile. I'm going to backdate my miles to last week.

Total to date: 13 miles

=D =D =D

Been patting myself on the back again....isn't it about time I did that?! Yesterday, we were at the fam's house sitting around the campfire.....let me back up here. When they first went out to fire pit I hit the pavement walking/jogging. Did two miles. Then came back to sit around the fire with them. By this time they had grilled a bunch of hotdogs and of course they were ready just as I got there. UGH! That's not all of it either....there was pumpkin bars, oatmeal raisin cookies...and drumroll please- CHILI! EEK! I have a weakness for chili dogs. But I made a decision to not eat any of it and I succeeded. The hotdogs itself wasn't that bad to resist....there were not a great brand. I had had one last week and I thought it was void of taste. The way I look at it is, if you're going to eat something really fatting and loaded with calories then it better taste really good so I can enjoy every bite! The chili did get to me a little though.... Anyway, came home and ate a couple of rolled turkey tacos (cooked lean of course by me) and some baked chips. Then got back on the treadmill for another 60 minutes! Yup! I'm tooting my own horn and loving it!

Recovery!

Recovering from a busy day yesterday. It was good just a lot to do. Anyway, didn't get a chance to sweat it out with cardio and of course when you're busy and rushed you have a tendency to eat things you shouldn't...i.e. cookies! EEK! But I am proud of myself, because I had the opportunity to eat other "bad" food items and I didn't. Patting self on back! It's about time I do that instead of kicking myself for my failures....perhaps the tide is changing in my self image...time will tell! , I'll be back in the swing of things today. I will consider yesterday my day of (muscle) recovery...kind of ironic isn't it? lol Shalom!

=D

Ok, some may think this is stupid, some may not care and others may be able to relate....then again if no one reads it, it won't matter! LOL Sometimes I think that may be best. I don't usually air all my laundry on here...don't have the guts to spill whats sometimes on the inside and I admire those who are able to. Boy did I get off the subject or what?!! Back to my celebration....I didn't have any salt and vinegar chips last night and I didn't have any peanut butter/freezer jam either! Big deal here on the home front...been thinking I have some sort of sugar addiction...it hits me at night time when the house is quiet. I sometimes think it might be emotional eating, but I don't know what emotion I'm cramming down my throat. Hmm....that's food for thought! Peace out!

Cardio Blowout!

Been really kicking up the cardio the last several days. Trying every other day to work with free weights and strength training. I'm not seeing the results yet at the scale and I know why....my dreaded late night snacks are not healthy and just too late to be eating at all! I'm working to overcome this problem....sometimes harder than you think!

A Challenge to Myself!

I'm going to a gathering today....there will be goodies galore all around me! UGH!!! When food is presented to me free of charge I tend to lose all control. My challenge to my self- no goodies! Can I do it? Frankly, I'm not sure yet. lol

Can You Say.....SORE?

WoW! All that working out yesterday really did something. I'm sore in numerous muscle groups! But it's a good feeling. =) Today was ok....still working on the eating...I do good on my main meals, but struggle with snacking...especially salty, crunchy items. I figure if I can cut down on my consumption then perhaps I can fade them out altogether over time instead of cold turkey....which is a good recipe for a binge.

Completed a 32 minute bootcamp cardio workout on netflix- great workout! Wanted to get on treadmill earlier today for extra calorie burn but it just didn't happen. Tomorrow is another day- fresh with no mistakes....at least not yet! lol

Sweatin' like a Pig!

Got back on the treadmill for 67 minutes (not including my 20 minutes jump start this morning!) mixed with intervals of strength training. I'm pooped but feeling accomplished! Did I eat great ......no, but did I eat better?.....YES!

So, this closes another day in my hectic life.....trusting tomorrow will hold more of the same accomplishments and more!

God Bless! and good night

I'm Trying to Make a Comeback!

Fell off the wagon a while back and trying to get back on. Was on the treadmill last night for 35 minutes and then this morning I got on for about 20 minutes....a jumpstart for the day and wanting to get back on this afternoon/evening plus strength training. I was tempted for lunch to eat leftover deep-dish pizza...I had a sliver (literally) and gave the rest away. Instead I had a bowl of high fiber cereal w/skim milk! =D

On another note...it's amazing how your self esteem can improve just from getting on the treadmill a couple of times.

Could It Really Be That Simple??

Recently I was watching a news broadcast and they were reporting on the newest diet craze....a special elixir...one that could revolutionize the way we eat and it's cheap too! Are you ready.....WATER! Go figure! The idea is to drink 2 glasses of tap water before each meal. This will help you control your eating by making you feel fuller and reducing the amount of calories you consume. Furthermore, it helps to keep you hydrated....apparently when we having craving we are usually dehydrated instead. Try drinking a glass of water and seeing if the craving passes!

Now, if I can just remember to drink the two glasses before each meal! =)

It's About That Time Again!

So over the weekend I finally flipped a switch in my mind. It's time to prepare for school and I needed to make some changes around here. So on Saturday I rearranged the living room. In doing so I have created myself a "school nook". =D It's not much, but at least it has its own space! I'm actually not complete with it yet, but it appears to have potential.

Believe it or not, while counting money with M the other day, I had the sudden excited feeling of "it's almost time to start school again"! Not sure where that came from since I've been in educational denial for a couple of months now. lol I haven't stepped in the library in several months! If you had asked me a week ago I would told you I despised the thought of starting!

My plan is to start tomorrow with some basics and try to get a daily schedule (my nemesis!) established.

I don't have all my materials yet....I'm thinking of switching to Writing Strands or Writing with Ease. I guess I'll have to make up my mind soon!

Hmm......

Thinking about not bothering to blog anymore.....nobody is reading it anyway. lol I have things to say in my head or out loud, but don't usually do well writing them out.

Testimony

The other day M's cd player had stopped working and after looking at it I asked my husband to inspect. He and I both came to the same conclusion- the power outlet plug had stopped working. We sometimes consider the small items in our life of not great importance and figure their easily replaceable. I figured we would just purchase another one in the store. So last night I was putting M in bed and he was very upset because he couldn't listen to "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes" (his absolute favorite! he puts it on repeat all night long) and asked if I would buy another today. I told him I would try, but at least he could use D's after she fell asleep. So I went out to get his meds and started thinking about how satan was just taking a swipe at him so I thought I should pray over it. Not sure if T had thrown the power outlet away, I looked around and spotted it sitting on the table. I scooped it up and prayed over it. Taking it in his room I plug it in and it didn't work, but I kept trying telling myself don't give up that's what satan would love. Trying different things I kept at it. Then I pulled the tip off the end and switched it around- putting it back on and plugging it in I hit the play button and it turned on! He was so excited! I told him that I prayed over it and we needed to thank Jesus. Any time we can boost his faith (and ours) is an encouragement! =D

Still Going

Feeling accomplished! 50 minutes on treadmill, strength training and calories in check! =D

Working Hard

Today, we had great intentions of being in church, but plans were changed at the last minute. So I had my Fiber One Cereal, one banana and then hit the treadmill (well I didn't actually hit it, but you get the point, right?) for 40 minutes. Walking and jogging into a tremendous sweat. Then for lunch we had homemade, lean turkey chili w/cornbread (chili was fantastic, but alas, the cornbread was not lean and I was shocked out of my gourde when I added up the calories!) and then cleaned up the kitchen. Now, I'm going to do some weight training before we head out the door. Hoping to use someone's "Total Gym" this afternoon too! WooHoo!

What did you do today?

My challenge to you for today- do 25 pushups (full body) or 50 from the knees and 50 crunches. Let me know if you completed the challenge.

New Beginnings

Hello All....or should I say just a few! lol Had a few new beginnings in the last few days. Some more personal than others. Been doing really good eating healthier and watching my portions. I've also have worked hard at not snacking late at night, which was always my major downfall. Jumped on the treadmill yesterday walking and doing some sprints- felt wonderful! Dying to do more walking in the park and tennis, but waiting for the heat to be turned down outside! Probably won't see me as much on here- trying to spend less time on the computer in general and more on the Lord, me, my family and my home. =)

Still Here....Well Kind Of

PHEW! Been a busy week for us around here, but productive! 8D. The kiddos have been in swim lessons everyday except for today. I also clean a house (someone else's), been cleaning my own house, weeding out items for donating, sewing, making candles, working in the garden....and the list goes on!

Looking forward to a fun dinner at Culver's with friends tonight....an "NO" to answer your question- I do not plan to eat light tonight! lol I'm dying for their mushroom swiss burger with chili cheese fires...or is it pizza fries? I can't remember, but I know I like them! lol

Tomorrow will be filled with more laundry, sewing, cleaning and packing for vacation with the fam! WooHoo! Oh, and I guess I should pay some bills! lol YUCK!

I Thought Summer Was Supposed To Be Relaxing?!

I'm hear- well sort of! lol Been doing lots of chores and projects around the house and haven't stopped in to blog. Tomorrow's plan will be for cleaning and sewing. I have signed the kiddos up for swim lessons next week...Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs for two weeks! They have been playing in the bladder pool we put in the back and are doing great! We'll be leaving for vacation soon....it's a good thing cause I'm going to need the break! lol

=O.......

Has nothing witty to say.....

Tuesday Surprises!

Had plans of trying to wind up some taxes items, but instead was surprised when hubby said he would be finished with his job today and we could leave for the lake tomorrow morning! =O Needless to say I quickly shifted gears from tax mode (double YUCK!) to fun in the sun at the lake mode! YeeHaw! Grabbed the kiddos and proceeded to the barber shop, post office, Big Lots (exhausted their supply of tiki torches=D), Hancocks, back home to pack, dinner, and 3 different grocery stores! Phew I'm pooped!

Here's hoping I can at least maintain what little weight I've lost while I'm gone! Wish me luck and pray that I don't overeat!!!!

See ya when I get back! =D

Lazy Memorial Day

Monday was not what I truly wanted it to be....we ended up working on taxes! YUCK! Yup, we filed an extension because life was so hectic during that time and I felt like I couldn't devote proper attention to it. So, now I'm diving in. Hubby helped me organize some of it into categories. The only problem...I'm missing one lousy statement that needs to be entered into the computer...GRRRR! So unless it miraculously appears, I will have to order one which means it will be here in 7 to 10 working days (I can just here the lady with the squeaky voice telling me this already).

Anyway, I've exercised everyday for over a week now with no rest. So, since I was stuck working on taxes I figured that would be a good day to rest my muscles. Frankly, I rather missed my workout! lol I actually had fun because I've been getting together with buddies to workout! You two know who you are because I think you're the only two reading this! ROFL!!!

Upward and Onward!

Sunday Stroll

Went for a long walk all by my lonesome on Sunday and ended walking about 6 miles! WooHoo! I was pooped afterwards, but felt really good and felt like I really accomplished something.

Just A Little Warm Out There

Great day today! Made the fam brunch before starting on some other projects. Then hit the park with my cuz for a 3.45 mile walk. WooHoo! It was warm out there, but we survived and it felt great!

Afterwards, came home to help T clean out the garage. =O There was a lot of stuff in there...notice I said "was"? I hauled a ton to the goodwill and I'm sure there's more in here! Decluttering is a wonderful feeling. =)

I haven't been typing out all my calories on here, but I promise I'm within my goal range and going strong!

I'll be posting a wonderful recipe for stuffed fish tacos soon. YUM!

A Tennis Pro After All!

Ok, so I'm not quite that good, but I've improved from down right horrible to just horrible! =D As you can guess, a fab friend and I played some tennis Friday afternoon. We both noticed an improvement- go figure! and it was only our second time. If we can both continue to improve at the speed we should be ready for Wibledon in 2036! lol The best part- it was a great workout! I'm even sore from some of my sprinting and diving.

Upward and Onward!

Oh the Sweet Bliss of Motherhood....

Last night I was just sitting down to read the Bible before heading off to bed. Then I hear this sweet little voice calling out from her bedroom, "Mommy, I peed." UGH! Apparently, Niagara (her new nickname) had guzzled too much of the "lala" before bedtime. So, after I wash her up and change her into new jamjams, I pick her up and she says, "Am I sleeping in Mommy/Daddy's bed?" With a twinkle in her eyes I smelt a conspiracy (or maybe it was the wet sheets!) I said "yes" and carried her into sleep beside daddy which she got very comfortable in...I got the couch- by choice of course! Don't feel bad for me the couch sleeps pretty good! lol Needless to say, we'll be cutting down on the "lala" before bedtime from now on!

And the Rain Passed Us Over!

Headed out the door this evening to hit the park for a walk with my fab cuz! It was thundering and flashing a few bolts of lightning in the not-to-far-off distance, but we went anyway. Wondering if we would get doused we huffed it around the track...before we knew we had walked around three times! A total of 3.45 miles not including the short distance in the parking lot we crossed each time to hit the loop again. Exercising with a friend be it walking or attempting tennis makes a huge difference! Such a pleasure to have girl time- laugh, cry and burn calories! =D

My new project- inspired by the cuz is a walking skirt. She gave me an idea for a simple A-line style with a drawstring waist. So tomorrow I'm hitting the fabric store and then back home for a major sewing fest! I'll let you know if it makes the grade.

Unexpected Events....

Woke up this morning and began preparing for exercising in the park. First stop, wake up kiddos....only to discover a very nasty cough from my son....=( Congested, coughing and crying.....=( His allergies have been bothering him the last fews, but nothing severe. I quickly gave him his allergy meds and the headed to the doc. Diagnosis: OK! Major drainage and such due to allergies- up his medicine and added some too, but all is well.

Now that my day has been turned upside down lets see if we can make something worthwhile out of it! lol

Did I Really Get Anything Accomplished?

Well, first thing this morning I dragged the kiddos out of bed- we've been doing so many active things these last few days I've actually wore them out! =D They could hardly pry their sleepy eyes open while trying to watch one of their favorite cartoons.

Anyway, today was my cleaning day so I dropped the kiddos off at my fab cousin's house for a few hours of fun while I scrubbed away....at least I'm burning calories and earning money! =)

After picking up the kiddos and having some girl chit chat, I headed home to change into some respectable clothes (those cleaning rags I wear are pretty rough!), eat lunch and then I headed back to Louisville to the farmer's market at Whole Foods. Then back home to cook dinner, mow the lawn, watered the plants, bathe the kiddos and put them to bed. It seems like I did a lot, but looking around the house here- and the tornado debris- it seems like nothing was accomplished today....grrrr.

Goal for tomorrow, sweat (burning calories) till I drop, then pick myself back up and attack the ants in my kitchen- die ants die!!! Oh, and I guess I should clean up in here too! lol

Upward and Onward!

Tennis.....

Let's just same I'll never win Wimbeldon, but hey! I was burning calories! =D

Today I transplanted about 14 different garden items. Some into pots and some into the garden itself. Lets just say I'm sweet bell pepper/tomato happy! =D Afterwards, I cleaned off the porch, had lunch (yes, it was lean), did laundry, dishes, played tennis (or should I say attempted) and yes, I even served dinner...although I must confess- it was leftovers! lol

Upward and Onward!

Kind of a funny story....

While out of town we stayed at a small motel that had a continental breakfast...nothing fancy, but it got the job done. They furnished several cereals, milk, toast, donuts, juice and coffee. The first day I had a bowl of cereal and some juice. The others were consuming the donuts...after they were commenting on how good they were I became weak and decided to have a try! As I picked up a plate and declared my plan to lay my hands on a deliciously glazed donut my 7 yr old son cried out something along the lines of "No Mommy! Your calories and your diet!" This took all the wind out of my sails! I dropped the plate and sat back down not sure if I should laugh or cry, but later I was thankful! Thanks M!

Sweating In the Eighties....

Howdy folks! First I'll start with yesterday since I didn't post last night. After a lean lunch (grilled salmon over greens), I walked close to 4 miles with some jogging mixed in. Afterwards I finished the rest of my salad. Not sure of the official calorie content, but from my research online I'm sure I was less than my target calorie goal. I did falter a bit late last night after some news (nothing major) that irked me. Fortunately, I was able to bring myself under control before too much damage was done!

Now, for today. Off to a good start! =D Got up this morning, dressed and had some breakfast (multi-grain Cheerios). Then I worked out in the park for several hours (there were some breaks in there). Here I consumed a ton of water and shared a couple of oranges with D. Then off to home for some lunch...I did make a pit stop at a local nursery for some bell pepper plants...my nemesis! These ones better grow or it will be all out war! Ok, I'm better now.

Here's what I'm eating:

1 whole wheat tortilla

5 slices lean turkey deli meat

small chunk of avocado mixed with lime juice and salt

slices of sweet onion

lettuce

large glass of water

Grand total for the day- about 550 calories!

This afternoon has a lot in store for me. Washing the car, cleaning house, laundry, weeding the garden and I guess I'm suppose to cook dinner in there somewhere! lol

Sorry if you're all bored with my blog....I'm not a great writer, but this is me. Have a great afternoon! =D

Walking, Walking and More Walking!

We arrived home in the wee hours of the morning today from our trip to Cedar Point. What a blast! I rode a roller coaster (Top Thrill Dragster) that propels you to 120 mph, climbs in the air about 420 feet and shoots you down the other side ! YeeHaw! I have renewed my passion as an adrenaline/thrill junkie! See the link below for pics of it and some of the other coaster we rode. The kiddos loved it, but were pretty tuckered out by the time we got home. We walked non-stop or so it seemed. The park is so big that just when you think you've hit the end then you round another corner and there's more!

After all that walking I was rather disappointed in the scale reading this morning....er....should I say afternoon! However, I will try to eat light today and drink a lot of water and check again in tomorrow morning. I know when traveling you can retain a lot of water and sodium. Believe it or not next week doesn't look too bad in the way of scheduled things to do- here's hoping it stays that way!

I have discovered a new ordering passion- yummy salads with grilled salmon on top! YUM! I'm addicted! lol

Catch ya later!

http://www.google.com/imglanding?q=cedar%20points%20the%20dragster&imgurl=http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/dragster.jpg&imgrefurl=http://listverse.com/2007/09/10/top-10-fastest-roller-coasters/&h=750&w=500&sz=87&tbnid=zP0lOeS8mVuVIM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcedar%2Bpoints%2Bthe%2Bdragster&usg=__YDU5LWTN8mzWT9R_2uRCdkSYetg=&ei=jNj2S-L0G6HcM4KX6aQF&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=5&ct=image&ved=0CCwQ9QEwBA&start=0#tbnid=PDOkRjsb9I9W4M&start=7

So Far So Good....

On a roll today! Went to the Roadhouse for lunch after listening to a Tape at home. I wish I could say I didn't have a roll, but I did. The good part is I only has one! Considering how much I love bread this was good for me! =D I was about to order the salmon minus the butter sauce, but then changed my mind and ordered the chargrilled chicken salad, no bacon and dressing on the side. I only dipped my fork once! I've also started concentrating on how many times I chew before swallowing each bite. Aiming for at least 25 chews per bite can be harder than you think! lol However, it really makes a difference! I feel fuller quicker on less and you break down your food more making it better for your digestion. **See post below about chewing more and eating less** I ended up taking over half my salad in a togo box for dinner tonight! WooHoo! Here's hoping I can keep up this trend throughout the rest of the day. =O

Nutrition - News + Trends

This is a habit I need to practice more!

Chew More, Eat Less

New Science Proves An Old Wives' Tale.

People who chewed almonds 25 to 40 times absorbed more healthy unsaturated fat and felt more satisfied than when they finished in 10 chews, finds a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Extra chewing breaks down fiber and sturdy cells, releasing nutrients that would otherwise pass through the digestive tract, explains researcher Richard Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD. Plus, steady chewers felt fuller, which may help promote weight loss.

Stephanie Breakstone

Prevention Magazine

i'm Pooped!

Had a great day. We took some visiting friends on a tour of Jeff to see the sites associated with Bro. Branham and the Message. What a great time with great fellowship! We finished it off with the best part- a tour of VGR!!! WooHoo!

Now I'm sitting in my sippin "french press" coffee (YUM!) and bloggin. What I really should be doing is exercising, but I don't know if I can must the energy tonight....I think I would rather get some sleep! We're hoping to go out of town for a couple of days next week- promised the kiddos a while back that we would take them to an amusement park- we shall see if it works out!

Once again, this week is packed full- would love a couple of weeks with nothing to do and plenty of time to focus on me! **sigh** Would someone please tell me when that is going to happen?! =O

Clark County Farmers Market!!!

The Clark County Farmers Market will be starting Saturday, May 22nd! This year the market will have a new location in Jeffersonville at the Wall Street United Methodist Church on the corner of Chestnut and Locust Street (behind the Knights of Columbus). The markets days/hours of operation will be Saturdays, May 22nd and May 29 from 9AM to 12PM and then June 1 through mid October on Saturdays (9AM to 12PM) and Tuesdays (3PM to 6PM).

Did you know that there is a Winter Farmers Market too?! News to me! Wish I had known during this past winter! Check out all the information on both and more by following the link below!

http://www.jeffmainstreet.org/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=5&page=1

New Albany Farmer's Market

Today is the grand opening of the New Albany Farmer's Market. The market is located on the corner of Bank and Market Streets. The market will be open each Saturday from 8AM to 1PM and Wednesdays from 4PM to 7PM.

Farmer's Market!!!

The other day I was at Whole Foods. When I first arrived it was 7pm and there was a farmer's market in the parking lot- it had just closed! =( Anyway, I inquired about it inside when checking out. It takes place every Wednesday from 3pm to 7pm. They have produce, meats and eggs- all local! The man bagging said the prices were very good and that you would get better deals than inside...or at least he thought so! lol I know what I'll be checking out next Wednesday!

Lots to Do!!!

Today is our homeschool spelling bee. I've been practicing with M. My head is swimming with the same words over and over! We've played hangman, wrote them down, said them out loud while driving down the road, sang little songs.....I'm wore out! lol

Need to finish up the garden before any more rain comes! Grrr...it seems to be spaced out just right between storms!

T wants to go look at a vehicle tonight. He wants to trade his truck in on a newer Expo. He's been searching for one recently and found one nearby that we both like by whats listed. We love our current one, but it is finally starting to show it's age. For being 12 years old and over 150,000 miles on it, it just keeps going! Furthermore, he is ready to part with the truck and move on to something different. We put several costly repairs into it and he's tired of that. Please pray that the Lord leads us in the right direction (and that we listen!) to a vehicle that is dependable and a good price for us. Basically the one HE wants for us!

Hoping to fit some more exercise in here somewhere! The question is where?! Gotta keep trying- can't slack! I'm setting a goal of the end of June!

Cardio Boost!

Running low on time, but need a quick calorie burner? Try one of these videos from sparkpeople.com. There is a large variety with limited accessories needed. Each video runs about ten minutes. Also, they don't contain music! So add some of your own gospel music or enjoy it as it is! Have fun! =)

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1330

A Lunch Idea!

Need a quick, light lunch? Try this or a variation of it.

Marie's Turkey Rollup (This is a basic rollup- get creative with seasonings and veggies...have fun!)

1 whole wheat tortilla- 130 calories, 3g of fat, and 4 g of protein.

(I used Mission "Life Balance" soft taco size, but any comparable brand will do)

1 wedge of Laughing Cow "Light" Original Swiss Cheese Flavor- 35 calories

2-3 oz of lean turkey breast- I used Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin...about 3 oz.

Oregano leaves (optional) (you could also use a little ranch dip seasoning, but use small amounts so as not to over season!)

Grand Total= 240 calories, 6.5g fat, 19g protein

To assemble, lay tortilla flat on plate; spread cheese wedge over entire tortilla. Next, sprinkle with desired amount of oregano (I like a lot!). Then top with turkey. Roll up like a pinwheel. Enjoy by itself or with a portion of low-fat string cheese.

There is many variations of this you could do. You could add any veggies you want including, lettuce or spinach leaves. Keep in mind as you alter ingredients and brand names the calorie count will change.

As a whole, our family has attempted to change to organic and all natural products. However, on occasion we run out of certain items and must use what we can until able to restock.

A Funny!

The other day my daughter was using a domino as a cell phone. I then noticed she was holding it differently...with both hands and using her thumbs to push "the dots". When I asked what she was doing she said, I'm "exting!" =O

The Park

So yesterday afternoon I ended up in the park by my lonesome. T was home and watched the kiddies for me while I went. It's amazing how much more observant I was of the people around me by myself. Young, old, trim and pleasantly plump. One thing I did notice, 99% of them had music in their ears except for a couple of people texting! One lady was even in a long, black skirt, black top and black workout pants under her skirt! She looked hot, but at least she was modest! A hard find in the park on a warm day!

So I did two rounds for a total of 2.3 miles. I walked to warm up, stretched jogged/walked through the first round and then repeated. Felt great! Looking forward to many more days in the park.....preferably with a friend or my ipod. =D

Have you worked out today???

New Beginnings

I've decided I want this blog to be more than just a update session for my weight loss woes. I would like to branch out in various directions. First I will continue to update my progress on my diet and exercise, but I also will post information about health issues pertaining to us women (from professional sources of course!) I will also post personal items pertaining to my family, homeschool and general hobbies. These are a major part of my life and in many ways affect my health- in good and bad ways. So please bare with me as I revamp and learn more about blogging! =D God Bless You!!

Sweet Relief!

I found it! Again! lol I had overlooked it on a site I was on earlier. I've wasted too much time on it, but it was bugging me knowing it was out there and I couldn't find it!

PINK! =O

Well, it's definitely pink! I think I'll keep looking. lol The sad part is I can't seem to find the site where I got the one with the daisy...the one that I and everyone else liked! =( Jennifer and Sha...do you remember the site where you got yours? I think it was the same one.

Not to shabby!

This is better than the pink one I just had up, but still looking for the one that says "ME!"

hmm......

Not so sure about this one- think I'll keep looking.

=D

I'm sure you all will be proud of me....it's 12:13 and I'm heading to bed! See ya tomorrow!

So What Do Ya Think?

Doing some experimenting...trying to find something I really like. Tell me what ya think. Don't be surprised if you come back and it's changed! =D

I'm Back!

Some of you may be asking, "Where have you been?" However, I've been asking "Where is everyone?!" lol The blogs that I follow haven't been updated in ages! UGH! Finally one was updated today...you know who you are! lol I've been here but not posting. Like everyone else, April has proved to be very busy! Easter services, schooling, gardening, homeschool convention and more. The weather has finally warmed up making life a little more enjoyable!

On the homefront- I've haven't been working really hard on the battle, but after an inspiring seminar at the convention I have renewed my "achievable" goals! For the first time I wrote a bucket list...and then I have my to do list. Both contain and item that says lose 5 pounds. I'm starting here...I've always worked towards small goals, but putting them down in writing seems to have helped. I keep thinking about "lose 5 pounds in two weeks" and I'm always reminded of my goal when I look at in on the sticky note on my desktop. Last night I did step aerobics with 8-in steps...don't think I've ever done a complete session on 8 inches! WooHoo!! Today after cleaning someone else's house (grrr) I had a very light lunch (apple with cashew butter) ran some errands, mowed the lawn and made dinner! Phew! I'm pooped but feeling accomplished!

Busy As Bees!

It's been a long week, but a good one! Been to church 4 nights this week, will be going again tomorrow night and Sunday. Looking forward to even more blessings from the Lord! Each day has been filled with making sure school is finished, completing chores around the house, ironing clothes, having dinner, getting out the door fully dressed in church attire and not being late!

Diet Woes.....well, this week hasn't been really good or bad. Still trying to make good choices, but with so much happening each day I'm just trying to be good and not getting down to the nitty gritty so to speak. Trust all will have a great Easter weekend!

Strange Day

Today was a strange day...not sure why but seemed different. Got off to a late start on everything. First things first, D comes in and tells me she wet the bed! My fault...didn't make her go tinkle immediately before bed last night....she had gone a prior to that but I guess it wasn't enough. :S Was on the phone longer than expected so we had a very late start on school. Meanwhile M starts coughing...sounding like he's ready to hack up a lung. He had stated sneezing last night so I'm thinking it might be a cold. With this unexpected turn of events, I quickly canceled the 10 children plus moms that were scheduled for a candle event at my house tomorrow. So with school finished I was free to do what I wanted...strange thought and feeling! So I started cleaning and doing whatever popped into my head, laundry, dishes, cleaned out some cupboards, cleaned bathroom, hung clothes, swept floors, straightened D's room and there's still more to do!

On the battlefront- honestly, didn't really track my points today. Just tried to keep my portions in control. I think I did ok.

Looking forward to tomorrow! More sunshine and some more spring cleaning! =D

Gotta Love Mondays! :S

It's Monday again. We're off to a decent start around here. Still have a lot to do though before heading to church tonight. Now that school is complete we'll have some lunch then off to Toys R Us for Matthew's birthday gift from Grammy and PaPa, then to the bank and then back home for hand dipped candle experiments, ironing church clothes and ....wow, I think that's it. =O Good thing we're having leftover lasagna (low fat veggie lasagna)!

On the front lines- off to a good start for the week. I was encouraged to put on my skirt yesterday and have it fit a little better than before. I'll take what I can get! lol Here's what I've had so far:

english muffin (light version) - 1pt

1 organic egg (cooked over easy with PAM only) 2 pts.

1 slice WW cheese - 1 pt

1 piece turkey bacon- 1 pt

Coffee- 0

Large (about 10 oz) water

Total- 5 pts. Considering how much yolk ran down my shirt, skirt and onto the floor when I bit into it, I wouldn't be surprised if it was 4 pts. instead! lol I know this seems a lot, but I've noticed if I eat a decent breakfast then I can go longer and maintain myself better. Also, as I was discussing with JoJo the other day, I need more protein in my diet. Eggs have a certain kind of protein that stick with you longer....I actually read this in my Fitness magazine.

Hope you're all having a great day! =)

Starting the Battle Over!

Ok, my resolve that I lost last night has returned and I'm starting over again. I've had breakfast and I preparing lunch- here's what I've got:

Breakfast:

Cream of wheat w/water, banana and syrup: 4 points

Coffee: 0 points

Lunch:

Portabello sandwich (1 piece bread) w/tsp olive oil, lettuce, onion: 2 pts =D

red bell pepper slices (instead of chips!): 0 pts. =D

diet cola

Total so far: 6 pts.

Failure! Failure! Failure!

Was doing so good last night, but then everyone started snacking! Grrrr! It's torture watching others snack when you're kind of hungry and we were in the middle of watching a family movie too! Great snacking time! So when it came time for me to make the cheese balls for tonight's homeschool meeting my "tasting" instinct kicked in just a little to much. The amount of points consumed is unknown.....I think I want it to remain that way. SIGH! I think I'm going to attempt to save some points purposely for the evenings so when I'm caught in this type of situation I still have room to snack on something and not feel deprived!

On the Battle Front!

So far, so good! Here's the scoop:

Breakfast:

Cream of wheat (made with water), half of a banana and 1 tsp chocolate syrup- 3 pts

Coffee w/truvia and milk- 0

Lunch:

whole wheat pasta, 1/2 c marinara sauce and 1 meatball- 6 pts

Snack:

pistachios (about 10) - 1 pt

1 tsp nutella (weak moment when getting kiddos a snack)- 25 calories so no points!

coffee (same as above)

1 orange- 1 pt

Dinner: (not yet consumed or should I say devoured?!)

Salmon filet (5.5 oz) 7 pts. (several point options here so I'm guessing high)

peas (1 cup) 2 pts.

1/2 c applesauce- 1 pts

This should put me at 21 points with a little room to spare. Now if only I can make it the rest of the evening without eating! =O

And the Battle of the Bulge Rages On.....

On the battlefront-

Not too bad for day one of WW.. I think I went a little over my points after adding up but not by too much. Breakfast was cream of wheat (made with water and mixed with 1 pk of Truvia- 4 pts), one banana cut up in it, and drizzled with 1 tsp chocolate syrup. I cleaned today and came home very hungry....I couldn't resist the couple pieces of pizza crust leftover (I had to guess here- 4 pts.)....aren't I pathetic?! Anyway, I made myself a portabello sandwich (3 pts)....I did have a couple of tootsie rolls (again, pathetic comes to mind) (3 pts). Dinner was spaghetti with whole wheat pasta, mushroom marinara sauce, 1 meatball and 3 pieces of multigrain garlic bread (10 pts). Don't ya all freak out on me now! For my bread I cut up and place on a sheet. Then lightly spray with Pam and sprinkle with garlic powder and then very lightly with garlic salt if you have it. Broil until desired brownness. I also ate some pistachios. (1 pt.)

Total: 25 points

I would have done really well if it wasn't for the crusts and tootsie rolls! A goal for tomorrow. Something I do fine hard to stop is tasting while cooking. A lot of times I will taste something (like pasta sauce for instance) to determine if it needs more seasoning. This can add up quickly if not careful....and quite frankly, I don't have a lot of pts to spare! Would love to get on the treadmill but have a boatload of laundry waiting for me to fold. Perhaps I can get it done quickly!

So the battle ensues!

The Sugar Rush

Well, the party is over and was a huge success with the kiddos. M said it was the best party ever! We had beautiful weather full of sunshine and laughter.

On the waistline issue.... I consumed way more than I should have....my blood is oozing high-frutose corn syrup- YUCK Some day I will learn self control. I used to never consider myself an emotional eater, but I've noticed it more in my late 20s and 30s. When I'm stressed to get something complete or when I'm sleep deprived I go wacko and I reach of salty carbs or sweets.

New strategy: I decided to switch to WW points for now and see how things go. I've been doing another diet from Prevention, but I think I'm eating too many calories for my size. I haven't gained but I'm not see the results like I want....it could be just me not be diligent enough...=( Not to mention, buying all those nuts can get a little pricey especially when their organic. I do still plan to incorporate them into my diet though since they are heart healthy and are proven to help reduce belly fat (I despise that term!). As I go along I will attempt to track what I'm eating and also post favorite recipes with point results. Wish me luck!

Cupcake Central!!!

Ok- the house smells like a bakery! Need I say more? I'm in the process of baking cupcakes and preparing goodie bags for M's birthday party tomorrow. Not a waist friendly chore to be doing. Furthermore, I will complicate the process by having pizza at the party too! =O I'm scared....=(

I have an event coming up in a few weeks...will be out of town overnight without the kiddos! Hubby is watching them. WooHoo! lol Can I lose before then? At least something? Will I ever catch a break? I'm sure there will be eating out involved....

Confession Time =(

Well, yesterday I was bad! Almost ashamed to write it out. For lunch we had pizza and cheese bread. YUM- but it was so bad.....from a local pizza joint and it is ooey and gooey! Then we went fishing at a pond out in the middle of the woods. This was good. There is a short walk about a mile round trip...better than nothing! While there I stood mostly and then walked to different areas to fish. After heading back to the car and watching T shoot a chicken (yes, it was legal and is now in our freezer! :)) then we decided to get something to eat on the way home- Culver's....That should say it all. I was hungry and I was craving chili fries! So, one mushroom swiss burger, chili cheese fries and concrete shake later(I didn't eat all the shake because it didn't turn out like I wanted)....well.....I felt so guilty, but IT WAS SO GOOD! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Lunch was better today- homemade rotisserie chicken (I ate mine without skin), green beans, baked beans and some garlic bread....what will be consumed the rest of the day is yet to be know.....=O

I have a busy few weeks coming up....wondering how that will affect the diet.

On A Roll!

Lunch is over and done with...hotdogs. Don't freak out on me! They were the AppleGate Farms organic all beef- uncured with no casing. YUM! Only 70 calories and 4.5 gms fats per dog. With bun it ended up 220 a piece. I had two but I can live with that since breakfast was only a banana! They have to be one of the best hotdogs I ever had pre-packaged in the store. I feel like a defence attorney! lol

Day going smooth so far...counters cleaned off and scrubbed. Floor is swept, but needs a desperate washing....hmmm.....that might be next. Then onto the bathrooms....been delaying on that one long enough!

A New Tip

Hey, did you know that Wednesdays at Whole Foods in "Deli Day"? All deli meats (excludes cheese and prosciutto) are $3 off per pound! I have recently been enjoying their "Buy one pizza get another free" Tuesdays, but I'm trying to shy away from this since I already make homemade pizza. The guy at the deli counter gave me a card showing their other deals and here they are:

Monday- Fresh pack soups- Buy one get one free

Thursday- Rotisserie chicken on $5.99 each

Friday- dips and spreads buy 1 get 1 free

Bon Appetit!

I Did!

Ah, the sun is shinning and there's warmth in the air- what a glorious day! Last night I completed 28 minutes of aerobics and on the exercise ball I did 60 crunches, tricep kickbacks, and chest flys. Burn baby burn! A feel good burn! Would like to get in more today before "girls night out"....we'll see how that goes. Need to get a good clean done in this house before leaving tonight.

For breakfast I've had a banana and coffee w/skim milk. Lunch is undecided at this time, but will have to be lean. Catch ya later.

So Far So Good....

Today has went surprisingly well considering I didn't wake up bright and cheery! T came home early today so I made a whirlwind trip to Whole Foods while he watched the kiddos. =D Tonight was "Fiesta Night" with tostadas. YUM! They were good and lean! =D Dishes are in the dishwasher and kiddos will be in bed soon. Then T and I will watch a movie from the library called Amazing Grace.

I used the following online counter to find my totals.

http://caloriecount.about.com/

pinto beans made with chicken broth, onion sauted in olive oil and seasoning- 250 calories per on cup....I don't think I ate the much, but not sure.

organic corn tortillas, 2 tsp olive oil used to coat about 10 shells so calories should still be low - about 50 calories a piece

white cheddar cheese which I grated in a fancy shred- I used maybe about a 1 tbsp worth on each shell- about 60 calories between the two shells I ate

green cabbage thinly shredded- 25 calories

squirt of lime- 10 calories

diced tomato- 25 calories

Grand Total- 470 calories TaDa!

Now can I get myself to exercise tonight? We shall see.....

On to Another Day...

Well, here I am again! I made it last night without consuming any food....unless I blacked out and raided the frig in a fog of hunger and confusion! =O The scale said I was down this morning....back to the number it was before it jumped yesterday...my guess it retaining water- UGH! Woke up feeling groggy and unmotivated, but after having a lovely cup of coffee I've livened up some....some. =S I'm thinking I should get on the treadmill even if it's for a short time to get the blood pumping. Dinner is in the crockpot (lowfat pinto beans- YUM!), lunch has been wolfed down and kids are taking a short break before finishing the last of school. I'm slightly concerned about tomorrow night....ok I'm VERY concerned...girls night out again at a great Italian joint across the river. This is where I've been failing miserably lately. Maybe I can talk my companion into trying to eat something lighter....hint hint- no pressure of course! =D

I've Almost Made It...

...that is without eating anything else tonight and I'm HUNGRY! After we came home I managed to hit (well, not literally!) the treadmill for a 100 calorie blast and then it was on to aerobics for another 50 minutes.... that includes warm-up and a cool down. I've had nothing but some skim milk, water and hot tea to take the edge off...I think I actually didn't eat enough today, but I'm refusing to eat this late...one of my main problems! UGH! Why do I have to be fat! On the upside...someone gave me a compliment tonight- said it looked like I had lost some weight...I think she might need glasses, but I'm grateful for the kind words anyway! =D Catch ya all later!

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ!"

New Challenge!

The kiddos have a badge ceremony tonight....and there will be goodies there! UGH! I even have to bring a dozen cookies, but I'm only making enough to take! My challenge to myself today is not to eat anything unless it is fruit or veggie! Can I do it? Check in later tonight and I'll post my success! =D

What Up With That?!

Ok, so I get on the scale this morning only to find that I weigh more than I did yesterday! GRRRR! Not sure why, but I'm thinking I consumed more sodium yesterday than I realize...at least I hope that's the problem plus I have to drink more water. I really need to start writing down what I eat as I eat it...that is probably the #1 tip I hear from weight loss gurus. Journal your eating habits and find the problems! Why! Oh Why! Do I have to watch what I eat? Why can't I be like these girls that walk into church a week after having a baby and they don't even look like the had one! Double GRRRR!

Still Thinking About the Pink Dress.....

Yup, I was chatting with a friend on the puter when she mentioned the dress.....you know which one I'm talking about....that springy pink dress in the department store that I would love to wear but would look like the Good Year Blimp in! So I determined to get on the treadmill which I did....about 17 minutes and 36 seconds worth (100 calories). Then I did a 28 minutes low impact aerobics video. Afterwards I did some weight lifting and about 50 crunches. Whew! Now if I can do it all again tomorrow!

What A Week!

Well, I made it through a busy week! I'm still tired, but trying to recover. Wish I ate better this week, but it could still have been worse. I have to still have more will power when eating out....I have an idea in my mind before I get somewhere to order salad or a grilled item with fresh vegies, but then get week when I see the menu. If I can be diligent for a time to see results then I will be more inclined psychologically to make the right choices. I must! I must!

Feeling Accomplished!

Well, I did good. After dinner (see post below) I had some sugar-free Jello and light whipped cream (all of about 30 calories) for dessert. Then a bit later I jumped on the treadmill for 20 minutes (about 100 calories). I then made T's lunch. Once again, I got out my steps and did Jane Fonda's step aerobics! WooHoo! I'm feeling hungry, but I'm feeling strong. Going to drink some more water, take a shower and hit the hay! Gotta clean someone else's house tomorrow....somethings just not right about that! lol At least I get paid for it! =D

On A Roll!

Today's eating went pretty well...though it could still use some tweaking!

Breakfast- orange and coffee
Lunch- leftover salmon (about 3 oz) and remainder of sweet potato (no butter)
Snack- I did have a couple bites of nutella and peanut butter...kept it small
small portion of popcorn...one bag is worth 100 calories....I probably had 10 calories worth and gave the rest to the kids
Dinner - broiled fish with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and seasonings
roasted golden beets with olive oil and seasonings
mashed potatoes laced with a small amount of butter, chicken broth and 2% milk and seasonings
unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon
diet cola

One thing I have been lacking though is enough water...I have to start earlier in the day. I notice a huge difference in my energy levels when I plenty of water throughout the day.

Now I'm off to clean the dinner dishes, get in the treadmill and watch the Biggest Loser! YeeHaw!
I'll be updating with my cardio report later! Peace out!

Been thinking about that dress again!

I started thinking about the dress again...or should I say the fact that I would look so dumpy in it! I actually should stop in to look at it again every so often to spur me on. I wonder how mad I would get if I actually tried it on! lol I would probably cry first and then incredible angry! Hmm....just might have to do that as I channel it into my workout instead of taking it out on the fam!

I Did....Sort of!

Well I met my challenge in the way of ordering good (had the grilled salmon without the butter sauce and baked sweet potato with butter on side and I hardly used any) and I did not eat the rolls! I ordered a salad w/blue cheese on the side as my other side, but I did good by dipping my fork into the dressing instead of dumping it on....use way less that way. I also did not consume the cheese or croutons. =) I did however have some of the cheese fries....this was bad, bit I figured at least I didn't eat all the other stuff.

I will try again tomorrow!

Can I?

Just had a great visit at the chiropractor's office! I feel much better and I have another appt scheduled for Friday. I've let my back/neck go too long without an adjustment and I was really starting to feel it.

Tonight we're taking the kids to Texas Roadhouse...this past Sat. was M's b-day and he wanted to go there but the wait us almost an hour! =O So we went to Chinese instead....not diet friendly to say the least! Anyway, tonight is kids night so that's even better. What I want to know is if I can order figure friendly food tonight? I'm going to challenge myself.....for my one and only follower (you know who you are! =D) I will order healthy and not eat any bread! =O Can't believe I just said that but I've got to learn to control myself or I will have not success!

If all goes smoothly I will also be walking on the treadmill (walking/stretching is good for getting movement back into my hip region) tonight for exercise. I'll check in later for an update!

Here I be!

Yesterday wasn't too bad. Didn't eat the greatest last night....I need to go look at the dress again for a refresher! lol I did exercise though. Gotta keep that up. Probably won't be able to exercise tonight- getting ready for a homeschool program in the morning. Peace out! =)

Still Mad About That Dress!!!

That's right! I'm back and mad as a hornet! GRRRR! Mad at myself that is for not taking control of myself! At some point in time you have to learn to stop with the excuses, stop looking for someone to blame and get off the couch and do something about it! My calories were fine today...as a matter of fact I probably didn't eat enough...as far as I'm concerned that's better that eating too much!!! After putting everyone in bed including the hubby, I exercised with my biggest loser and then did Denise Austin's Ultimate Fat Burning...needless to say I'm pooped. However, I feel great! Why? you ask, because I feel accomplished. I may not fit into that dress yet, but I'm moving forward and that's something. I may even never be able to get that dress...I don't even know how much it costs, but the fact that I COULD wear it if I wanted to is the difference. Tomorrow, the plan it to get up and have a decent breakfast...something I failed on this morning and hopefully exercise right away. If I can burn in the morning and at night then I'll lose twice as fast! =D

The Cute Springy Dress.......

So there I was strolling through Dillards' dress section on my way to the undergarments section when I saw it....the cute, springy dress....black, white and pink. As I zoomed by it quickly caught my eye and I turned around to check it out a little closer. The first thought was what a whale I would look like it in...but what a pretty summer dress it would make for church. Once upon a time..in a galaxy far far away, I could have worn it. Why did I have to be this way?! I sometimes feel like I'm ruled by the scale...the more I weigh the more I feel embarrassed in front of my friends and family. No one has ever really said anything to hurt me, but my self confidence takes a nose dive. As Anne Shirley would say "I'm in the depths of despair!" Perhaps it did something for me though...was it my moment of truth? I was supposed to get dessert for the fam while I was out...I got them a chocolate cake from the store and I bought myself some sugar free jello! Afterwards I did my Biggest Loser challenge and then 30 minutes of aerobics. Perhaps if I keep thinking about that dress it will keep me focused on the finish line! Till next time....

My tip for the day: Make your husband's lunch just after eating dinner...you'll be full and less tempted to snack as you assemble! =D

Working Hard Today!

Today going good. Kept the diet in check...consumed about 1450 calories with my mufas included. Hit the treadmill for 43 minutes (used hand weights most the time), did my biggest loser wii challenge (I won!) and did some weight training with stretching. Hoping tomorrow will be even better! Check ya later! =D

Still Here!!!

I'm still here and I'm not giving up the battle of the bulge! Finally got the kitchen complete...still tying up a few loose ends, it sure does look nice! I'm going to jump on the treadmill right now for some pick-me-up energy and then more will come later! BYE!

Still Picking Up Steam!!

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! I think I can, I think I can...no I KNOW I can, I KNOW I can! Been doing decent this week....although tonight was a bust! I'm still working on my goals for this week. I've been doing more cardio, drinking more water and doing better on my meals except for the a fore mentioned! lol Still have a lot of room for improvement, but if my sore body is any indication then I'm headed in the right direction!

Breakfast: Banana Split Oatmeal (yes, this is one of my diet recipes! =0) about 365 calories
Coffee (with a small amount of milk) 20 calories
Lunch: scrambled eggs with sauteed onions, diced tomato and salsa 330 calories
Dinner: Cheddar's (yes, you heard me right! I became weak, but at least I ordered my dinner with grilled instead of the fried chicken that came with it! =D)

"Tomorrow Is Always Fresh With No Mistakes In It!"

Full Speed Ahead!!! Choo! Choo!

Well after a hard week last week, I'm getting ready to recharge and hit it hard! Last week was full of unusual items....patching holes in walls, priming the kitchen and preparing for a gathering at my house. This week I still need to paint but am hoping to schedule my time for better results! I love the foods I can eat on my diet, but I've got to be more diligent about eating every four hours and getting in more cardio. A few goals for the week:

1. 45 - 60 minutes of exercise (including cardio and strength training)
2. More diligence in eating my mufa meals
3. Drink more water!!!
4. No snacking after my final calories have been taking in

WooHoo!

Perhaps there's something to this diet after all! The other day I put on a skirt and realized that it was fitting better in the waist. So the next morning I jump on the scale to see that I'm down a total of 4 pounds! Yahoo!! When I measured my waist I was also down by a couple of inches. Certainly no room to complain here. Hope to be sharing even more good news with ya next time! SEE YA!

Still Chugging Along....

Well, I'm back. Been a bumpy few days, but I'm getting there. Saturday and Sunday were a washout for doing the jump start, however I did at least try to eat decent. Yesterday went really well, except my stomach was aching all evening and has been bothering me off and on today. What's up with that? Now I just need to get myself exercising....I've been so out of my routine. I will say I haven't had a real coke in numerous days and not even a diet in a couple of days....I guess that's a plus! Scale said I was down a little so I'm happy about that and hoping to see more tomorrow. Plus if I can get my butt in gear and exercise then I'll be doing great. I'm going to go now...not feeling witty and just rambling. See ya!

Day 1!!!

Ok- I didn't get started yesterday like I planned...woke up late and not feeling too good. On the upside, I did try eat healthy and was feeling much better by the afternoon. One other speed bump for me was that I did not have all the items needed to complete the 4-day anti-bloat jump start. So last night I hit my local Kroger and gathered what I needed.

Here's what I ate today:


1 c cornflakes w/1 cup skim milk
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c sunflower seeds
glass of sassy water (Yup that's right!)

skim milk/blueberry smoothie w/flaxseed oil
glass of sassy water

6oz orange roughy
1 c green beans
1/2 c roasted red potatoes w/1stp olive oil
glass of sassy water

If you can believe....I'm not done with all my food yet. I can still have grape tomatoes and string cheese. Whoopee!


So far I'm feeling great! Although I got to pee a lot! I'm dreading tomorrow though since I will be having lunch at a gathering (the lunch was paid for in advance). I will eat well in the morning and then try not to over do it at lunch and then back on my plan for the evening.

I'm hoping to hit the treadmill in a few! See ya tomorrow....I'll let you know how I faired!

Getting Ready!

I did it! I checked out the "Flat Belly Diet" from the library. So far I'm impressed with the vibe I'm getting from it. It gives you a breakdown of the fat makeup of your body and why certain types of fat are very important to your body and when these fats can become deadly. It's scary to say this, but because I carry a high amount of fat in the belly region, I'm at major risk for a whole slew of health issues. A road I don't want to take. While I'm still here on this earth, I want to live a happy and healthy life. God has always been good to me.....He gave me this body and I want to care of it. Even more important, I want to set the example for my family. I do still need to get over the stigma of eating more fat. I grew up in the era where all types of fat were lumped together and demonized! Everything was fat-free, fat-free and fat-free. Instead we all gained because we ate too many calories! The thought of eating 4-400 calorie meals (one is considered a snack) with healthy fats is still scary for me. I'm so afraid of gaining more! But the book tells me there is a quick response from the body due to this type of eating. I'll let you know how I fair and what I'm eating for my meals. I'm going to take the leap starting in the am....wish me luck! =)

Rough Day

Here I am....boy don't I sound enthused?! It was a rough day. I was cranky and my poor children received the brunt of my crankiness and frustrations. However, tonight things seemed to get a little better for me. Went to Whole Foods again....I love that store!!! I bought several items for my "Flat Belly Diet". I also found that my local library has the actual book on the shelf! Whoopee for me! =)

Anywho, I'm still trying to get my life back in order from vacation....I think that has been a major source of some frustrations...besides all the clothes to unpack, I had a ton of new items from Christmas (kids toys and such) that needed to find a nook or cranny to call home. Needless to say several older toys in my daughters room "mysterious disappeared"....my sons room is next on the list....and believe it or not so is my room. After I get some of these things taken care of I think I'll feel a little more free.

Well, that's enough for tonight...gotta get up to go clean someone elses house....there's something just not right about that considering what mine looks like right now! lol

See you next time!

Well...Here I Am

Today I'm recommitting myself to a healthier lifestyle....except for the donuts I just consumed! I'm not joking...my husband had a weak moment and went into the Krispy Kreme store next door to the cell phone company...sigh! I could smell the sweet glaze just standing next to them. As much as I love him he can be such an enabler! It's a good thing breakfast, lunch & dinner was healthier!

I've been on many diets in my life or at least I've started many diets in my life, but I want..no I need to make this happen for me and my family. Belly fat (yes, I know it sounds gross) has always been a major problem for me. So after reading Prevention Magazine, I'm going to try their Flat Belly Diet. The jest is you eat 4 meals a day (400 calories each) with each meal consisting of a serving of monounsaturated fats such as: olive oil, olives, healthy nuts and seeds, avocados, dark chocolate and more! Yes, you read that right! For all you chocolate lovers out there you CAN have chocolate. Of course, everything in moderation. This is not a major thing for me, but I'm sure some of you can appreciate it! lol Meanwhile, I am supposed to have 30-60 minutes of cardio 6 days per week. If all goes well, I should be melting off belly fat in no time...or so they tell me.

Well, I'm off to get a few things accomplished and then I shall exercise!