Last Friday morning I stepped on the scale about 50 times. Amongst all of the numbers it came up with (292, 213), 239 was the most consistent number. So that is what I went with. This morning I changed the battery on the scale. My new number and probably the correct number is 244. OUCH! I'm gonna go put the old battery back in!
Goals...
1. Kick coffee and creamer to the curb once and for all. I can't stand black coffee, so it has to go too. And fat free creamer is just plain nasty.
2. Pop has got to go too!
3. HFCS and processed foods - you're outta here....
4. Juicing in my juicer.
5. Water Water Water!!!
These goals are not new. Just a reminder.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Pity Party for One.
I have no words, only shame. This is what greeted me this morning when I stepped on the scale after several months of eating and drinking whatever I could get my hands on. I truly don't know WHY I do this to myself. I am so uncomfortable in my clothes. I have always been uncomfortable in my own skin.
I do so well, lose 20 pounds and then lose focus. I celebrate my 20 pound loss with food, pop (or soda if you prefer), chocolate, cake, candy, ice cream. I stop exercising. I end up feeling like crap. I look like crap. My skin is terrible. My outlook is horrendous, a part of me just doesn't care. I want to eat what I want to eat when I want to eat it.
How BIG do I have to get, before I take my weight loss, my health seriously? 250? 300? I look at pictures of people who have lost 90. 100, 150 pounds and think WOW! HOW did they do THAT!! Lots of hard work and determination. Something I apparently am allergic to when it comes to weight loss.
So once again I will pull myself up by my bootstraps, put on my now "REALLY BIG" big girl panties, and get at it once again. It's time for the pity party to end.
My promise to myself... Today, I will do better than yesterday. Tomorrow I will do better than today. I have too. No ifs, ands, or BUTTS!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A New Challange
Well, a couple challenges actually.
First of all I joined a challange on MFP yesterday. It is a 12 week challange and I HOPE to lose 20 pounds by the end of it. There are mini goals throughout. My tracker is below. I think 7 pounds a month is attainable, even realistic. The problem is with motivation and keeping myself moving forward. I am easily sidetracked by sugary goodness in any form.
Current Weight (As of today): 229
Challenge Goal Weight (for Sept. 1st): 209
Weight Category: REDUCE
6/9: **start of challenge** 229
6/16:
6/23:
6/30:
7/7: <<>>
7/14:
7/21:
7/28:
8/4: <<>>
8/11:
8/18:
8/25:
9/1: <<>>
Second challange is to myself. I have got to, I repeat I HAVE GOT TO, give up coffee creamer and pop. They are nothing but wasted calories and added inches. I just wish they weren't so delicious. Hmmmph!
Third, new head space. I need to do some soul searching and ask myself the tough questions. I feel like a broken record.
Q: Why do you keep doing this to yourself?
A: I have no idea. I hate how I look and feel 99% of the time. My face is HUGE. My clothes make me feel like sausage in a tight casing. Not good. I skipped church today because none of my clothes fit and I'm embarrased of how I look. I was doing so well and I just gave up. I feel ashamed.
Q: What am I scared of?
A: Nothing. Everything. I'm not afraid to be alone, but I fear being lonely. I fear intimacy. I fear getting hurt. I fear losing the weight, gaining someone's attention, and then losing it and getting my heart crushed.
Q: Do I want to die early from obesity? Or one of the many side effects of obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer...???
A: No, No, No, & No. While there is no direct family history of diabetes in my family, I do not want to be the first! There is heart disease and cancer.
Q: Will I ever figure out all of the answers to the questions?
A: Probably not!
So what to do next. I pick myself up ONCE again and start moving forward. One foot in front of the other. The only reason to look back is to try and figure out more answers to the questions above and WHY it is that I keep going back (besides comfort and laziness) and maybe finally break this vicious circle.
First of all I joined a challange on MFP yesterday. It is a 12 week challange and I HOPE to lose 20 pounds by the end of it. There are mini goals throughout. My tracker is below. I think 7 pounds a month is attainable, even realistic. The problem is with motivation and keeping myself moving forward. I am easily sidetracked by sugary goodness in any form.
Current Weight (As of today): 229
Challenge Goal Weight (for Sept. 1st): 209
Weight Category: REDUCE
6/9: **start of challenge** 229
6/16:
6/23:
6/30:
7/7: <<
7/14:
7/21:
7/28:
8/4: <<
8/11:
8/18:
8/25:
9/1: <<
Second challange is to myself. I have got to, I repeat I HAVE GOT TO, give up coffee creamer and pop. They are nothing but wasted calories and added inches. I just wish they weren't so delicious. Hmmmph!
Third, new head space. I need to do some soul searching and ask myself the tough questions. I feel like a broken record.
Q: Why do you keep doing this to yourself?
A: I have no idea. I hate how I look and feel 99% of the time. My face is HUGE. My clothes make me feel like sausage in a tight casing. Not good. I skipped church today because none of my clothes fit and I'm embarrased of how I look. I was doing so well and I just gave up. I feel ashamed.
Q: What am I scared of?
A: Nothing. Everything. I'm not afraid to be alone, but I fear being lonely. I fear intimacy. I fear getting hurt. I fear losing the weight, gaining someone's attention, and then losing it and getting my heart crushed.
Q: Do I want to die early from obesity? Or one of the many side effects of obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer...???
A: No, No, No, & No. While there is no direct family history of diabetes in my family, I do not want to be the first! There is heart disease and cancer.
Q: Will I ever figure out all of the answers to the questions?
A: Probably not!
So what to do next. I pick myself up ONCE again and start moving forward. One foot in front of the other. The only reason to look back is to try and figure out more answers to the questions above and WHY it is that I keep going back (besides comfort and laziness) and maybe finally break this vicious circle.
Comfort zones are plush lined coffins. When you stay in your plush lined coffins, you die. Stan Dale
I feel uncomfortable because I'm insecure about who I am. Trent Reznor
I had always wanted to write a song called, The Vicious Circle. I always thought it was like, the kids are born there, they grow up there, they die there. Mac Davis*Quotes are from Brainy Quote.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Ugly Truth...
Ever since the competition at work ended I have struggled to stay motivated and that lack of motivation (aka SHEER LAZINESS) has caused me to gain back about half of the 17 pounds I had lost. I can blame it on depression, stress over finances, stress in general...whatever. Whatever you call it, they are excuses.
THE UGLY TRUTH: I am a lazy person. I love the comfort found on my couch, in front of my TV/computer, or in a book. To get up and go outside and work in the yard or take a walk... to do something, anything that burns calories, requires motivation and energy. Something I haven't had in quite a while.
Ugly Truth #2. I am addicted to food. Sugar, chocolate, pop, simple carbs, starches. The worse it is for me the more I love it. The SIMPLE truth is, is that if I were to give these up alot of my issues would clear up. Sugar is a depressant, so is caffeine. Simple carbs are found in your pastas and refined foods which help bulk you up. They are hard on your digestion. HFCS anyone?!?!
What I need to remember is that in order to build up motivation and energy, I need to eat right, exercise, get plenty of rest, and take my vitamins. These all help to build on one another. The more I exercise, the better I feel. The better I feel, the better I want to eat...and vice versa. Exercise, rest, and a healthy diet also help fight off depression and lower stress levels. And while I'm being honest with myself, I need to journal. If I don't keep track of what I eat, I go all willy nilly and eat a whole bag of M&M's. I absolutely hate journalling! It's torture.
THE UGLY TRUTH: I am a lazy person. I love the comfort found on my couch, in front of my TV/computer, or in a book. To get up and go outside and work in the yard or take a walk... to do something, anything that burns calories, requires motivation and energy. Something I haven't had in quite a while.
Ugly Truth #2. I am addicted to food. Sugar, chocolate, pop, simple carbs, starches. The worse it is for me the more I love it. The SIMPLE truth is, is that if I were to give these up alot of my issues would clear up. Sugar is a depressant, so is caffeine. Simple carbs are found in your pastas and refined foods which help bulk you up. They are hard on your digestion. HFCS anyone?!?!
What I need to remember is that in order to build up motivation and energy, I need to eat right, exercise, get plenty of rest, and take my vitamins. These all help to build on one another. The more I exercise, the better I feel. The better I feel, the better I want to eat...and vice versa. Exercise, rest, and a healthy diet also help fight off depression and lower stress levels. And while I'm being honest with myself, I need to journal. If I don't keep track of what I eat, I go all willy nilly and eat a whole bag of M&M's. I absolutely hate journalling! It's torture.
GOD GRANT ME
The COURAGE to make the changes I need to make,
The STRENGTH I need to persevere,
And the WISDOM to make the right decisions.
AMEN.
Remember ~ CHANGE REQUIRES RISK!!!
Lets face it, no one ever got fat from eating steamed broccoli. Gassy and bloated maybe, but not fat.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
My oh my! What a pig sty!
This past week I was cleaning out the pig sty I call my study and I ran across a booklet sent to me when I was diagnosed with depression in 2007. (I never did like filing!)
I was treated for depression with medication and I did quite well. I never really felt like I had a strong case of depression, I never wanted to hurt myself, but I do tend to be antisocial. I'm not unfriendly, I'm just a loner type who likes my peace and quiet AND my space. Occasionally (when my depression was at it's worst and when I was over-tired) I would feel like the world would be better without me in it, but I would NEVER EVER think of hurting myself. Thank God I have Christ in my life because with Christ there is ALWAYS hope. On the meds, I was much more social and was able to chase the blues away easier. I stopped taking the meds in 2009 when my boss changed our health insurance as I could no longer afford the medication and the multiple trips to the doctor for monitoring. I do well most of the time.
As I was reading the booklet, It listed out the different types of depression and their symptoms. There are several types of depression, ranging from Major Depression to a mild form called SAD. Major depression symptoms include deep sadness, apathy, agitation/restlessness, sleep disturbances, WEIGHT/appetite disturbances, lack of concentration, feelings of excessive guilt, morbid thoughts, and fatigue. There is bi-polar/manic depression, Dysthemia, and SAD. SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. After reading the booklet, I am 10,000% convinced I suffer from SAD. (A large number of people in the Northern states do.) The booklet states that people with SAD usually
I always seem to get (for lack of a better word) sad in the fall/winter time and usually snap out of it in the Spring. I have always attributed this to the fact that my parents left to hit the road in the fall, I wouldn't see them again until Christmas time and then they would come back to Michigan in the spring. They lived in an RV full time and would travel around the country visiting new and exciting places and making the rounds to see my siblings and their children/grandchildren. Michigan winters were just too harsh on them so they were off to warmer climates. Lucky ducks!
I pulled out another book I bought on depression. It's called Depression: The Way Out. It's written by Dr. Neal Nedley. I've made it through chapter one. He's a doctor and writes like a doctor. Lots of big medical words. He talks about how lifestyle choices affect your brain and how the brain functions. He talks a little bit about SAD and recommends Bright Light Therapy. BLT helps put the bodies circadian rhythm back in sync, which helps with sleep and mood. Outdoor light/air is best of course, but BLT can help chase away the winter blues. I know for me, when the sun is shining my face is smiling. I feel uplifted. One other thing I noticed is that during the spring and summer, when its bright and cheery out, my cravings tend more toward fruit and veggies.
I guess I have alot of reading to do. I think I will take Dr. Nedley's book to bed with me. That should knock me out cold in no time flat; if not from the reading material, then from the weight of the book! All joking aside, IF depression is what is keeping me from staying motivated/focused, I need to figure out how to fight the depression without the use of medication and then MAYBE just maybe I will be able to shed this unwanted weight for good. I also think a move out of this GREY sky state will help. Anyone wanna buy my house???
Toodles,
Leslie
I was treated for depression with medication and I did quite well. I never really felt like I had a strong case of depression, I never wanted to hurt myself, but I do tend to be antisocial. I'm not unfriendly, I'm just a loner type who likes my peace and quiet AND my space. Occasionally (when my depression was at it's worst and when I was over-tired) I would feel like the world would be better without me in it, but I would NEVER EVER think of hurting myself. Thank God I have Christ in my life because with Christ there is ALWAYS hope. On the meds, I was much more social and was able to chase the blues away easier. I stopped taking the meds in 2009 when my boss changed our health insurance as I could no longer afford the medication and the multiple trips to the doctor for monitoring. I do well most of the time.
As I was reading the booklet, It listed out the different types of depression and their symptoms. There are several types of depression, ranging from Major Depression to a mild form called SAD. Major depression symptoms include deep sadness, apathy, agitation/restlessness, sleep disturbances, WEIGHT/appetite disturbances, lack of concentration, feelings of excessive guilt, morbid thoughts, and fatigue. There is bi-polar/manic depression, Dysthemia, and SAD. SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. After reading the booklet, I am 10,000% convinced I suffer from SAD. (A large number of people in the Northern states do.) The booklet states that people with SAD usually
- feel low or depressed
- have an increased appetite (particularly for carbohydrates)
- gain weight
- sleep alot more, but still feel very tired
I always seem to get (for lack of a better word) sad in the fall/winter time and usually snap out of it in the Spring. I have always attributed this to the fact that my parents left to hit the road in the fall, I wouldn't see them again until Christmas time and then they would come back to Michigan in the spring. They lived in an RV full time and would travel around the country visiting new and exciting places and making the rounds to see my siblings and their children/grandchildren. Michigan winters were just too harsh on them so they were off to warmer climates. Lucky ducks!
I pulled out another book I bought on depression. It's called Depression: The Way Out. It's written by Dr. Neal Nedley. I've made it through chapter one. He's a doctor and writes like a doctor. Lots of big medical words. He talks about how lifestyle choices affect your brain and how the brain functions. He talks a little bit about SAD and recommends Bright Light Therapy. BLT helps put the bodies circadian rhythm back in sync, which helps with sleep and mood. Outdoor light/air is best of course, but BLT can help chase away the winter blues. I know for me, when the sun is shining my face is smiling. I feel uplifted. One other thing I noticed is that during the spring and summer, when its bright and cheery out, my cravings tend more toward fruit and veggies.
I guess I have alot of reading to do. I think I will take Dr. Nedley's book to bed with me. That should knock me out cold in no time flat; if not from the reading material, then from the weight of the book! All joking aside, IF depression is what is keeping me from staying motivated/focused, I need to figure out how to fight the depression without the use of medication and then MAYBE just maybe I will be able to shed this unwanted weight for good. I also think a move out of this GREY sky state will help. Anyone wanna buy my house???
Toodles,
Leslie
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Final Weigh-in & But aM I Obese?
Our final weigh-in was last Friday. April Fool's Day! How appropriate. My ending weight was 224.2 making my total weight loss 16.8 pounds. YAY!!! I also lost 7% of my body weight. I didn't win the competition but I still won...by losing. At the end we were down to 6 contestants (we started with 7) and lost a combined 80 pounds. A couple of the teeny tiny skinny mini's lost 8%. The ONE AND ONLY guy in the competition lost 25 lbs and 11%. He won. We have not decided whether to keep going as a group or not. Either way I need to keep going. I still have 60 pounds to lose. So onward I trudge...
But aM I OBESE?
Someone on MyFitnessPal.com posted a link on their blog. They were talking about their BMI and IS IT an accurate way to determine if you are overweight/obese. I am 5'9" and a large frame. The BMI index has me labeled as Obese. Now I'm a big girl, but OBESE?!?! I know I am overweight. I'm not blind to that fact. But does the BMI really take into account my frame??So this website has a scale that allows you to enter your information ~ height, weight, measurements, activity level, and gender. After you enter your info it calculates your BMI, Waist-to-Height, Body Fat percentage, and lean body mass. My current info was added and here are my results. The website is http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html
Body Mass Index: 33.2 kg/m2 ~ OBESE
Waist-to-Height ratio: 0.67
Percent Body Fat: 51.4% ~ also OBESE Wowsa! I'm 115 lbs of FAT!!
Lean Body Mass: 108.9 lb
You are overweight by 25.4 kilograms (55.9 pounds) ~ less than I thought!!
You need to exercise at least 30 minutes every day.
Minimum caloric requirements: 1955 Calories per day
Limit your food intake to 1661 calories per day.
to lose 2.2 pounds per month.
Your diet should contain at least 61 grams of protein per day.
SOooo...now I'm really depressed. 115 pounds of blubber. I guess I truly AM Obese!
I'm off to the treadmill...that is if I can get my blubber butt outta this chair!
Toodles!
PS...I am not recommending ScientificPsychic but I do love MyFitnessPal.com. Check them both out and determine for yourself if you like them.
But aM I OBESE?
Someone on MyFitnessPal.com posted a link on their blog. They were talking about their BMI and IS IT an accurate way to determine if you are overweight/obese. I am 5'9" and a large frame. The BMI index has me labeled as Obese. Now I'm a big girl, but OBESE?!?! I know I am overweight. I'm not blind to that fact. But does the BMI really take into account my frame??So this website has a scale that allows you to enter your information ~ height, weight, measurements, activity level, and gender. After you enter your info it calculates your BMI, Waist-to-Height, Body Fat percentage, and lean body mass. My current info was added and here are my results. The website is http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html
Body Mass Index: 33.2 kg/m2 ~ OBESE
Waist-to-Height ratio: 0.67
Percent Body Fat: 51.4% ~ also OBESE Wowsa! I'm 115 lbs of FAT!!
Lean Body Mass: 108.9 lb
You are overweight by 25.4 kilograms (55.9 pounds) ~ less than I thought!!
You need to exercise at least 30 minutes every day.
Minimum caloric requirements: 1955 Calories per day
Limit your food intake to 1661 calories per day.
to lose 2.2 pounds per month.
Your diet should contain at least 61 grams of protein per day.
SOooo...now I'm really depressed. 115 pounds of blubber. I guess I truly AM Obese!
I'm off to the treadmill...that is if I can get my blubber butt outta this chair!
Toodles!
PS...I am not recommending ScientificPsychic but I do love MyFitnessPal.com. Check them both out and determine for yourself if you like them.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 12
Today was weigh-in day, and while it wasn't quite what I had hoped for the scale still registered a loss. I lost ONE pound, bringing my total loss to 17.2. That's a total of 7.14% of body weight lost.
I'll take it because I worked hard for it. I worked out Monday and Tuesday as well as worked around the house on Sunday. I'll take it because I ate well (if you don't count the dark chocolate M&M's). I'll take it because I journaled my food intake everyday. I'll take it cause the ungracious visitor is here AGAIN!
I'LL TAKE IT and I'LL RUN WITH IT and next week I WILL GO FOR MORE...BECAUSE I CAN!
Next week is the final weigh in for our competition. One girl dropped out last week after gaining two pounds so now we are down to six people. Combined we have lost 81 pounds. Most of us haven't reached our goals yet so I hope the competition continues for another 12 weeks. Either way my journey will continue. Mt. Everest is still there waiting for me to reach the summit and victory will be mine!
Blessings,
Leslie
P.S. Can anyone else hear "I am woman, hear me ROAR!" playing in their head? Or is it just me?
I'LL TAKE IT!
I'll take it because I worked hard for it. I worked out Monday and Tuesday as well as worked around the house on Sunday. I'll take it because I ate well (if you don't count the dark chocolate M&M's). I'll take it because I journaled my food intake everyday. I'll take it cause the ungracious visitor is here AGAIN!
I'LL TAKE IT and I'LL RUN WITH IT and next week I WILL GO FOR MORE...BECAUSE I CAN!
Next week is the final weigh in for our competition. One girl dropped out last week after gaining two pounds so now we are down to six people. Combined we have lost 81 pounds. Most of us haven't reached our goals yet so I hope the competition continues for another 12 weeks. Either way my journey will continue. Mt. Everest is still there waiting for me to reach the summit and victory will be mine!
Blessings,
Leslie
P.S. Can anyone else hear "I am woman, hear me ROAR!" playing in their head? Or is it just me?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Holy Alphabet
Someone posted this on MFP and I wanted to share...
The Holy Alphabet
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory....where none are ever sad!
"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.
The Holy Alphabet
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory....where none are ever sad!
"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Weigh-in Week 10 & 11....
Week 10....
Week 10 was not a good week. I was under the weather with a sinus infection and the weather outside was gray and ugly, not to mention cold. I did not journal my food, I did absolutely NO exercise and little if any housework. I ended up gaining 2.4 pounds taking me back up to 227.6.
The presence of the Sun this week has an old hymn playing in my head. I love it when we sing it at church because it's a make you feel happy song.
There's Sunshine in My Soul Today
There's sunshine in my soul today, More Glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky, For Jesus is my light,
Chorus:
O there's sunsine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll:
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in my soul
There's music in my soul today, A carol to my King
And Jesus listening can hear The songs I can not sing...
There's spring time in my soul today, For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart, The flowers of grace appear...
There's gladness in my soul today, And hope, and praise, and love,
For blessings which he gives me now, For joys laid up above....
How can you not be happy when singing that?!?!? Love it!
Blessings!
Leslie
Week 10 was not a good week. I was under the weather with a sinus infection and the weather outside was gray and ugly, not to mention cold. I did not journal my food, I did absolutely NO exercise and little if any housework. I ended up gaining 2.4 pounds taking me back up to 227.6.
Sick + SAD/Depression (not to mention LAZY!!) = WEIGHT GAIN!!
Week 11...
Oh the sunshine, beautiful BEAUTIFUL sunshine....This past week was the start of Daylight Savings Time. Usually I am not a fan of losing an hour (of my precious sleep), but it just so happened that the weather turned nice. We went from freezing rain and snow to sunshine and 45 degrees - which feels like a heatwave after 3 months of below freezing temps. I woke up on Monday revived. My attitude did a complete 180. I had so much energy to spare that I came home and started cleaning out my master closet. I started journalling my food again. Tuesday - I went to the gym which gave me more energy for Wednesday. Gym Thursday and again today.
Weigh in for the biggest loser competition was this morning. I hesitantly stepped on the scale as my scale here at home is mean spirited. It likes to play nasty mind games with me, giving me different numbers every time.
And then the moment of truth came...
224.8
I screamed so loud they heard me down in customer service. "Good number hey Leslie??" Oh yeah!! I am so happy to be back below 225 even if it is just a smidgen under. My total lost since starting our Biggest Loser competition is 16.2 pounds leaving me 8.8 to go to reach my 25 pound goal by April 3rd - our final weigh in. I may not make it to my goal but I should be close. As my Mama says "Good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise!"
The presence of the Sun this week has an old hymn playing in my head. I love it when we sing it at church because it's a make you feel happy song.
There's Sunshine in My Soul Today
There's sunshine in my soul today, More Glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky, For Jesus is my light,
Chorus:
O there's sunsine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll:
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in my soul
There's music in my soul today, A carol to my King
And Jesus listening can hear The songs I can not sing...
There's spring time in my soul today, For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart, The flowers of grace appear...
There's gladness in my soul today, And hope, and praise, and love,
For blessings which he gives me now, For joys laid up above....
How can you not be happy when singing that?!?!? Love it!
Blessings!
Leslie
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Weigh-in...Week 9
Wow! It is hard to believe that we have been doing the biggest loser at work for 9 weeks. This last week I lost 2.4 lbs bringing me back down to 225.4 and a total loss of 6.47% in body fat. YEE HAW! It also means that I am 9.4 pounds away from my 25 pound goal for the program.
Rumor has it that we will be continuing the program as a keep it off program. That sounds good to me...I'm happy to have a support system in place at work. Everyone is looking fabulous in their new skinny(ier) bodies. I still have a ways to go. My clothes are fitting better, some are even getting loose. Someone at work told me that they could see the difference in my face.
Today I made some yummy beef stew for dinner. Very filling, but full of starchy carbs (thats probably why it tasted sooo good! lol). I still don't understand why potatoes and carrots are bad for you on a diet. THEY ARE VEGETABLES!! Vegetables are good....the more I can get in me, the better I say!
Now for the bad part....Easter candy. I <3 jelly beans! Black jelly beans in particular. I knew I shouldn't have bought them at the store the other day...but I did and I have been munching on them ever since. I'm a bad bad girl. No, change that...I'm a good girl with a horrendous sweet tooth and sometimes that sweet tooth trumps my brain when making decisions. It's a behavior I have to work harder to change. Lord, I'm gonna need your help with that one. It's a good thing that NOTHING is impossible for You!
Rumor has it that we will be continuing the program as a keep it off program. That sounds good to me...I'm happy to have a support system in place at work. Everyone is looking fabulous in their new skinny(ier) bodies. I still have a ways to go. My clothes are fitting better, some are even getting loose. Someone at work told me that they could see the difference in my face.
Today I made some yummy beef stew for dinner. Very filling, but full of starchy carbs (thats probably why it tasted sooo good! lol). I still don't understand why potatoes and carrots are bad for you on a diet. THEY ARE VEGETABLES!! Vegetables are good....the more I can get in me, the better I say!
Now for the bad part....Easter candy. I <3 jelly beans! Black jelly beans in particular. I knew I shouldn't have bought them at the store the other day...but I did and I have been munching on them ever since. I'm a bad bad girl. No, change that...I'm a good girl with a horrendous sweet tooth and sometimes that sweet tooth trumps my brain when making decisions. It's a behavior I have to work harder to change. Lord, I'm gonna need your help with that one. It's a good thing that NOTHING is impossible for You!
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I can not change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Blessings!
Leslie
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Weigh-in... Week 8 & My Mulligatawny Soup Recipe
I'm a tad late posting this... I lost 1.2 pounds last week. I have no idea how. The weekend before I had company for the weekend and we ate like wildebeest's! Okay, not really but there was a Mancino's grinder, Mexican lasagna, popcorn and chocolate, AND DR Pepper in there somewhere. Had a great time with my friends and that is what truly matters.
So far this week my scale has been giving me favorable numbers. Weigh-in won't be until Monday so that means I have the whole weekend to work off another pound or two. Here's hoping!
I made the Mulligatawny soup...well, my version of it anyway and it was delicious if I do say so myself. The only thing I would do differently is not use so much Quinoa. Quinoa in it was really good, the stuff just multiplies like rabbits... So next time, I'm using half of the Quinoa and twice the curry - I've all ready modified the recipe...See Below.
MY MULLIGATAWNY SOUP
Water 4 Cups
Vegetarian Vegetable Broth, 1 container (4 cups ea.)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 12 oz
1 Med Diced Onion
Minced Garlic
2 Carrots
2 Celery stalks
Spinach, Raw, 1 cup
Quinoa (Cooked) 1/2 cup uncooked, make according to package directions.
1 bunch Green Onion
Red Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes
Curry powder, 1 tbsp
1 Apple, Red Delicious/Gala
1 Lg can Diced Tomatoes No Salt Added
1 Sm can Tomato Sauce - No Salt Added,
Cook until the chicken and veggies (diced small) are fully cooked, about 1 hour. Serve and enjoy!
So far this week my scale has been giving me favorable numbers. Weigh-in won't be until Monday so that means I have the whole weekend to work off another pound or two. Here's hoping!
I made the Mulligatawny soup...well, my version of it anyway and it was delicious if I do say so myself. The only thing I would do differently is not use so much Quinoa. Quinoa in it was really good, the stuff just multiplies like rabbits... So next time, I'm using half of the Quinoa and twice the curry - I've all ready modified the recipe...See Below.
MY MULLIGATAWNY SOUP
Water 4 Cups
Vegetarian Vegetable Broth, 1 container (4 cups ea.)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 12 oz
1 Med Diced Onion
Minced Garlic
2 Carrots
2 Celery stalks
Spinach, Raw, 1 cup
Quinoa (Cooked) 1/2 cup uncooked, make according to package directions.
1 bunch Green Onion
Red Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes
Curry powder, 1 tbsp
1 Apple, Red Delicious/Gala
1 Lg can Diced Tomatoes No Salt Added
1 Sm can Tomato Sauce - No Salt Added,
Cook until the chicken and veggies (diced small) are fully cooked, about 1 hour. Serve and enjoy!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 7
On Friday we had our weigh in, but a couple people were missing so the results were not announced until today. I gained .8 and I owe a dollar to the kitty. I was not the only one to gain this past week though so there is some comfort in that! Hey, it is a competition!! As far as who has lost the most percentage wise, its neck and neck. I made my own Mulligatawny soup and it turned out wonderful, so I will post my recipe...just not tonight! We got a bazillion inches of snow last night and I'm tuckered out from all the shoveling and fresh air.
Tootles for now!
Leslie
Tootles for now!
Leslie
Friday, February 11, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 6
Today was our weekly Biggest Loser weigh-in. I lost 1.4 bringing me to 12.6 total. My current weight is now 228.4. As a group, we have lost a combined 60 pounds. Pretty darn cool!
I went out to lunch today. I had a turkey ruben, french fries, and a Sprite. The french fries have been sitting on my tummy all afternoon like a lead balloon. It's AMAZING how much my appetite has changed in the last six weeks. I have a hard time packing the food away like I used to. I guess next time, its back to the salad!
Well I"m off to go do something productive.
A happy and safe weekend to all!
Leslie
I went out to lunch today. I had a turkey ruben, french fries, and a Sprite. The french fries have been sitting on my tummy all afternoon like a lead balloon. It's AMAZING how much my appetite has changed in the last six weeks. I have a hard time packing the food away like I used to. I guess next time, its back to the salad!
Well I"m off to go do something productive.
A happy and safe weekend to all!
Leslie
Thursday, February 10, 2011
What a week!
The weekly weigh in is tomorrow and I have a feeling that I am not going to be shouting from the mountain top. I don't think I have gained, but I know it will not be a big number lost either.
I had two moles removed from my back in September and they both came back abnormal. On Monday, I had to have a procedure done to move the tissue surrounding one of the moles and ended up with close to 20 stitches in my back. The second mole also had to have more surrounding tissue removed but it was just surface and there is no incision. The stitches mean no heavy lifting or strenuous work outs. (I'm so bummed! Ya right!) The last few nights have been bad for sleeping as I can't really lay on my back yet. It's getting better and I no longer need pain pills.
I have been doing pretty well as far as eating goes if you don't count the chocolate :). I've heard that if you break it in half, ALL of the calories fall out! Same goes for cookies and doughnuts. LOL I wish! Anyway, yesterday I went to Zoup! for lunch. The Mulligatawny soup was delicious. 100 calories for 8 ounces. It's a tomato curry base soup with Chicken, onions, carrots, celery, and apples. Yes I said apples. It was soooo good. I'm going to try and recreate it. If I figure it out, I will definitely post what I come up with.
A couple of products I have found and LOVE... 1.) Chobani Greek Yogurt (low fat, high in protein) - Black Cherry, Pineapple, and Raspberry flavors are the best!!!! The Peach and Strawberry flavors are excellent too. 2.) The Republic of Tea Get Lost! It's supposed to help curb my cravings. It tastes like orange and cinnamon and has carob in it.
Wish me luck tomorrow!
Blessings,
Leslie
I had two moles removed from my back in September and they both came back abnormal. On Monday, I had to have a procedure done to move the tissue surrounding one of the moles and ended up with close to 20 stitches in my back. The second mole also had to have more surrounding tissue removed but it was just surface and there is no incision. The stitches mean no heavy lifting or strenuous work outs. (I'm so bummed! Ya right!) The last few nights have been bad for sleeping as I can't really lay on my back yet. It's getting better and I no longer need pain pills.
I have been doing pretty well as far as eating goes if you don't count the chocolate :). I've heard that if you break it in half, ALL of the calories fall out! Same goes for cookies and doughnuts. LOL I wish! Anyway, yesterday I went to Zoup! for lunch. The Mulligatawny soup was delicious. 100 calories for 8 ounces. It's a tomato curry base soup with Chicken, onions, carrots, celery, and apples. Yes I said apples. It was soooo good. I'm going to try and recreate it. If I figure it out, I will definitely post what I come up with.
A couple of products I have found and LOVE... 1.) Chobani Greek Yogurt (low fat, high in protein) - Black Cherry, Pineapple, and Raspberry flavors are the best!!!! The Peach and Strawberry flavors are excellent too. 2.) The Republic of Tea Get Lost! It's supposed to help curb my cravings. It tastes like orange and cinnamon and has carob in it.
Wish me luck tomorrow!
Blessings,
Leslie
Friday, February 4, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 5
229.8 2/4/2011
Down another 2.6 pounds, total 11.2. YAY!!
Waist 45 (down 1 inch)
Hips 48 (down 1.5 inches)
Waist 45 (down 1 inch)
Hips 48 (down 1.5 inches)
The jeans I am wearing I couldn't get snapped or zipped at Christmas time. They now snap and zip comfortably. I can really tell the difference in my tops too. The goodyear tire around my middle has shrunk to a motor bike tire and hopefully in another 10 pounds it will be down to a bike tire.
Friday, January 28, 2011
What have you lost??
This was posted on MyFitnessPal.com and I wanted to be able to go back and reference it; and also to share it with you. Some of these are down right funny and some are gross!
WHAT HAVE YOU LOST??
Posted on 01/28/2011 by HawaiianDreamer
Here is something to post on the fridge or pantry door for when your sweet tooth kicks in, so you can walk away from them & hopefully help you to keep the numbers going the right way on the scale
1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a human skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whales brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephants heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephants penis
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the Worlds Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
I have lost a human head and hope to lose up to the worlds largeset ball of tape. I am sitting here wondering who had the priviledge of weighing #6 & 60? I don't think I will be able to get those two out of my head!
WHAT HAVE YOU LOST??
Posted on 01/28/2011 by HawaiianDreamer
Here is something to post on the fridge or pantry door for when your sweet tooth kicks in, so you can walk away from them & hopefully help you to keep the numbers going the right way on the scale
1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a human skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whales brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephants heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephants penis
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the Worlds Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
I have lost a human head and hope to lose up to the worlds largeset ball of tape. I am sitting here wondering who had the priviledge of weighing #6 & 60? I don't think I will be able to get those two out of my head!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 4
There will be no shouting from the mountain top this week. Today was our weekly weigh-in. A day early but that hardly matters. I gained this week. ONE POUND. One stinking lousy pound. One more pound that I now have to take off. To be honest with you, I was expecting it. I got the ungracious visitor this week. She always brings way to much baggage with her...bloating, mood swings, loss of sleep, water retention...the list goes on and on.
There were other issues as well. I didn't work out but only once this past week. I ate fairly well, but was over my allotted calories for Wednesday and under my calories for the two days prior. There wasn't a ton of food preparation going on either.
I have been thinking a lot this week about excuses. I'm certainly a pro at making them. I can always seem to find a reason (ie., excuse) NOT to exercise or eat right. Housework to do, a meeting to prep for, a meeting to attend, grocery shopping, too tired, that cheeseburger was calling my name, just plain don't want to, the ungracious visitor...you get the point. I am an A+ excuse maker, maybe that is why I never reached my goals.
Blessings,
Leslie
There were other issues as well. I didn't work out but only once this past week. I ate fairly well, but was over my allotted calories for Wednesday and under my calories for the two days prior. There wasn't a ton of food preparation going on either.
I have been thinking a lot this week about excuses. I'm certainly a pro at making them. I can always seem to find a reason (ie., excuse) NOT to exercise or eat right. Housework to do, a meeting to prep for, a meeting to attend, grocery shopping, too tired, that cheeseburger was calling my name, just plain don't want to, the ungracious visitor...you get the point. I am an A+ excuse maker, maybe that is why I never reached my goals.
"Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses." ~ George Washington Carver
"I attribute my success to this:I never gave or took an excuse." ~ Florence Nightingale
"We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse." ~ Rudyard KiplingI know that I don't want to fail, so I have got to stop making excuses. I have got to make the time and do what needs to be done. And maybe next week, I'll be shouting from the mountain top again.
Blessings,
Leslie
"If if's and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas!" Sheldon Cooper ~ The Big Bang Theory
Friday, January 21, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 3
((( I LOST 5 POUNDS! )))
((( I LOST 5 POUNDS! )))
((( I LOST 5 POUNDS! )))
Wow! Can you hear that echo from the top of Mt. Everest??? I think FIVE is my new favorite number. I lost 5.2 pounds to be exact, 9.6 total. I guess all that dancing in my chair has paid off!
I'm off to go make my dinner. Guess who'll be doing the happy dance all the way!!
PS - I won the weigh in this week!!! YAY ME!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Dreaded Weigh-In...
Week 3 weigh in is tomorrow and I am not looking forward to it. I dread a repeat performance of last weeks numbers. I have been sick this week and have not exercised at all. I figure breathing is an important part of exercise (that and not sneezing all over everyone around you), so the gym will have to wait until next week.
I've done fairly well(ish) sticking to my calorie goals and eating very little junk. I've had absolutely no pop for the last three weeks. I have prepared most of my meals and haven't eaten out or eaten a pre-packaged meal. I will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen this weekend to prepare for next week. I see Beef Barley Soup, Chicken Salads, and something with Turkey in it in my future. I also see hard boiled eggs and Flat Out sandwiches. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Wish me luck tomorrow!
I've done fairly well(ish) sticking to my calorie goals and eating very little junk. I've had absolutely no pop for the last three weeks. I have prepared most of my meals and haven't eaten out or eaten a pre-packaged meal. I will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen this weekend to prepare for next week. I see Beef Barley Soup, Chicken Salads, and something with Turkey in it in my future. I also see hard boiled eggs and Flat Out sandwiches. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Wish me luck tomorrow!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Weekly Weigh-in...Week 2
(Insert timpani drum roll here)......And the scale reads:
I have no idea why the scale did not move. It must be the dreaded week two. My body is fighting against me and the changes I am making. My body is used to getting poor nutrition and absolutely no exercise. I have been careful to track my food everyday, holding myself accountable for every morsel that I put in my mouth. I have a job where I sit on my butt all day (that doesn't help!). I walked on my treadmill twice last week and did a mile each time. Its time to step it up. Get to the gym. Throw my body into complete and total chaos!
The good news: I didn't gain any weight.
As much as it pains me that I didn't lose any weight, I am happy that I didn't gain any either. I could very easily use this as a reason to give up. I normally would but...
I am taking the big ugly red bull by the horns. I will drag him up and down Mt. Everest with me if I have to. I will not allow him to get me down. He WILL NOT WIN. He CAN NOT WIN.
Erica the nutritionist came into the office this week. Did you know you are supposed to get 9 to 13 servings of fruit and veggies a day??? Mostly veggies. Women shouldn't eat more than 3 to 4 servings of fruit a day. She went over food labels and how much water we should get in us. She talked a lot about Greek yogurt. It's full of protein and has zero fat. You can use plain greek yogurt in place of oil when baking. Some of what she told us was a refresher course. Its crazy how much of this I know and just don't put into practice.
Side Note: I stepped on the scale this morning and it was four pounds lighter than yesterday. Unfortunately, yesterday was the official weigh in! Go figure. Here's to next week!
236.6
I have no idea why the scale did not move. It must be the dreaded week two. My body is fighting against me and the changes I am making. My body is used to getting poor nutrition and absolutely no exercise. I have been careful to track my food everyday, holding myself accountable for every morsel that I put in my mouth. I have a job where I sit on my butt all day (that doesn't help!). I walked on my treadmill twice last week and did a mile each time. Its time to step it up. Get to the gym. Throw my body into complete and total chaos!
The good news: I didn't gain any weight.
As much as it pains me that I didn't lose any weight, I am happy that I didn't gain any either. I could very easily use this as a reason to give up. I normally would but...
I REFUSE TO LET OBESITY WIN.
Erica the nutritionist came into the office this week. Did you know you are supposed to get 9 to 13 servings of fruit and veggies a day??? Mostly veggies. Women shouldn't eat more than 3 to 4 servings of fruit a day. She went over food labels and how much water we should get in us. She talked a lot about Greek yogurt. It's full of protein and has zero fat. You can use plain greek yogurt in place of oil when baking. Some of what she told us was a refresher course. Its crazy how much of this I know and just don't put into practice.
Side Note: I stepped on the scale this morning and it was four pounds lighter than yesterday. Unfortunately, yesterday was the official weigh in! Go figure. Here's to next week!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
LOOK OUT! Girl with goals coming through!
Today I walked a mile. It took me 30 minutes, but I did it. I even ran for one minute at 5mph. It's not much but it is a start. Next thing ya know, I'll be at the gym!
I got 6 glasses of water in today and I ate close to 1100 calories. I'm about 100 under my goal. Being under goal isn't great. My body needs the energy to burn fat and to function. It does not need to go into starvation mode. My metabolism is slow enough as it is.
Goals ~ noun 1. the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. 2. the terminal point in a race.
My Goals are:
1. To eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and to keep track of what I'm eating.
2. To exercise at least 3 times a week...(I'm gonna have to build up to this one I think...)
3. To kick the caffeine habit. Goodbye coffee and creamer. I will miss you my friends.
4. To keep away from the Pop. You are evil and add inches to my waist line and pounds to the scale.
5. To get more fruits and veggies in everyday.
6. To start juicing again. Oooh, It's so good, and will help with goal number 5.
7. To continue losing weight in a slow but steady manner, reaching my ultimate goal of 160.
8. To not be overwhelmed by the fact that 80 pounds is a big number. It's not impossible.
9. To take it one day at a time, one minute at a time, one meal at a time.
10. To NOT beat myself up when I gain.
11. To fit into a size 16, then a 14, then a 12 and maybe even a 10.
12. To do my best to support others. To pick them up when they are down, and give the best possible advice I can when asked.
13. To take advice from others when I don't want to hear it. To accept their support and praise graciously.
14. To shut my TV off and get off my butt. Get things done. Sitting can no longer be an option.
15. To use my computer for useful purposes.
My Ultimate Goal is to spend time with my Creator, my Saviour, my Heavenly Father. I can not do any of this without His help. This goal should ALWAYS be first and foremost in my mind everyday. He LOVES me so very much. He loves you too!
I got 6 glasses of water in today and I ate close to 1100 calories. I'm about 100 under my goal. Being under goal isn't great. My body needs the energy to burn fat and to function. It does not need to go into starvation mode. My metabolism is slow enough as it is.
Goals ~ noun 1. the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. 2. the terminal point in a race.
My Goals are:
1. To eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and to keep track of what I'm eating.
2. To exercise at least 3 times a week...(I'm gonna have to build up to this one I think...)
3. To kick the caffeine habit. Goodbye coffee and creamer. I will miss you my friends.
4. To keep away from the Pop. You are evil and add inches to my waist line and pounds to the scale.
5. To get more fruits and veggies in everyday.
6. To start juicing again. Oooh, It's so good, and will help with goal number 5.
7. To continue losing weight in a slow but steady manner, reaching my ultimate goal of 160.
8. To not be overwhelmed by the fact that 80 pounds is a big number. It's not impossible.
9. To take it one day at a time, one minute at a time, one meal at a time.
10. To NOT beat myself up when I gain.
11. To fit into a size 16, then a 14, then a 12 and maybe even a 10.
12. To do my best to support others. To pick them up when they are down, and give the best possible advice I can when asked.
13. To take advice from others when I don't want to hear it. To accept their support and praise graciously.
14. To shut my TV off and get off my butt. Get things done. Sitting can no longer be an option.
15. To use my computer for useful purposes.
My Ultimate Goal is to spend time with my Creator, my Saviour, my Heavenly Father. I can not do any of this without His help. This goal should ALWAYS be first and foremost in my mind everyday. He LOVES me so very much. He loves you too!
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13,14
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
I was super hungry tonight and decided to cook. I was going to steam chicken and veggies but that was not appealing to me so I improvised. It was yummy and super easy... Serves 4
MY HOMEMADE CHICKEN POT PIE
9 oz Chicken breast tenders - cubed
1 small/med onion
3 med red potatoes
1 stalk celery
1 large carrot
1 cup frozen peas
*Homemade gravy
In a small sauce pan melt 1 tbsp butter. Add 2 tbsp flour. Pour in one can of chicken broth and heat until thickened. Add Mrs Dash seasoning and ground pepper to taste.
Pour over vegetables and place in 375 degree oven until vegetables are cooked through, about 40 minutes.
Crush Whole wheat Ritz Crackers over the top and place back in tho oven for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
This recipe should be about 275 calories, 30 carbs, 30 protein, 15 fat, and 4 fiber.
MY HOMEMADE CHICKEN POT PIE
9 oz Chicken breast tenders - cubed
1 small/med onion
3 med red potatoes
1 stalk celery
1 large carrot
1 cup frozen peas
*Homemade gravy
In a small sauce pan melt 1 tbsp butter. Add 2 tbsp flour. Pour in one can of chicken broth and heat until thickened. Add Mrs Dash seasoning and ground pepper to taste.
Pour over vegetables and place in 375 degree oven until vegetables are cooked through, about 40 minutes.
Crush Whole wheat Ritz Crackers over the top and place back in tho oven for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.
This recipe should be about 275 calories, 30 carbs, 30 protein, 15 fat, and 4 fiber.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Below the Yellow Line
IF I was on the Biggest Loser Ranch, I would have fallen below the YELLOW LINE
We had our weigh-in today at work. Everyone lost!!! I think its great and I want so very much to be happy for them, and I am BUT reality has set in. I have to lose almost twice what they do to get the same results. Most of the girls weigh 80 - 100 pounds less than I do and they lost almost the same amount of weight as I did. They certainly lost a higher percentage of weight than me. Good job girls! I am proud of you.
I am eating well, tracking my food, keeping my snacks to a minimum (darn it!!). I'm down to one jug of coffee a day. Getting most of my water in...most of the time. I haven't had pop in forever (Sunday), and today was the first day I've had chocolate since Monday.
I guess its time to start the exercising. The dreaded, sweaty, time away from my couch and everything that is comfy, exercising. I know I need to do it. I MUST do it to get this weight off of me. I am hoping to find something that peaks/keeps my interest. I have a yoga for beginners DVD I want to do. I wouldn't mind trying Zumba. Aye Ca rumba! I have a treadmill that is just sitting. It's time to dust it off, put on my running shoes and get to getting...off of my lazy butt.
Somethings I have to remember: I didn't put this weight on overnight, I'm not going to take it off overnight. This is MY journey and what/how they do CAN NOT affect how I do going forward. I must keep moving forward. We are there to support one another and even though this is a competition, it can not about the money for me. It has to be about restoring my health and living like a healthy 38 year old should.
This is the start of my journey. OK, so technically its the RE-start of my journey, but this time its baby steps and figuring it out as I go. Varying my exercise and meals to stave off the boredom. This isn't going to be easy and I can not quit this time.
We had our weigh-in today at work. Everyone lost!!! I think its great and I want so very much to be happy for them, and I am BUT reality has set in. I have to lose almost twice what they do to get the same results. Most of the girls weigh 80 - 100 pounds less than I do and they lost almost the same amount of weight as I did. They certainly lost a higher percentage of weight than me. Good job girls! I am proud of you.
I am eating well, tracking my food, keeping my snacks to a minimum (darn it!!). I'm down to one jug of coffee a day. Getting most of my water in...most of the time. I haven't had pop in forever (Sunday), and today was the first day I've had chocolate since Monday.
I guess its time to start the exercising. The dreaded, sweaty, time away from my couch and everything that is comfy, exercising. I know I need to do it. I MUST do it to get this weight off of me. I am hoping to find something that peaks/keeps my interest. I have a yoga for beginners DVD I want to do. I wouldn't mind trying Zumba. Aye Ca rumba! I have a treadmill that is just sitting. It's time to dust it off, put on my running shoes and get to getting...off of my lazy butt.
Somethings I have to remember: I didn't put this weight on overnight, I'm not going to take it off overnight. This is MY journey and what/how they do CAN NOT affect how I do going forward. I must keep moving forward. We are there to support one another and even though this is a competition, it can not about the money for me. It has to be about restoring my health and living like a healthy 38 year old should.
It's time to start planning and preparing meals and packing my lunches the night before. It is so much easier to grab a carrot that's all ready cut up or to grab a bowl of salad that's all ready made. I am going to start cooking a couple meals on the weekend and those left-overs will be my lunches and dinners throughout the first part of the week."FAILURE TO PLAN, IS PLANNING TO FAIL"
This is the start of my journey. OK, so technically its the RE-start of my journey, but this time its baby steps and figuring it out as I go. Varying my exercise and meals to stave off the boredom. This isn't going to be easy and I can not quit this time.
"Ain't no mountain high enough, Ain't no valley low enough"....
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Water up to my eyeballs...
I am so proud of myself.
I drank 10 glasses of water today. That's 80 ounces!!!! Of course I had to pee a million times, that is the down-side of drinking so much. The upside. Is there an upside? You bet! My skin will clear up, my kidneys will clean out and take all those lovely toxins with them, better brain function, better sleep (if I don't have to get up to pee during the night), and my joints will function better. Oh yeah, did I mention weight loss? Flush the fat too!
I was reading somewhere today that you are supposed to take your body weight and divide it in two and that is how many ounces of water you are supposed to drink a day.
Are you kidding me??? That's almost a GALLON of water. You might as well hook me up to an IV and stick me on a potty because that is the only way you are getting 120 ounces in me. I'm lucky to get 32 in me most days. The best part of this theory is that as I reach the top of the proverbial mountain, I get to drink less and less!
Biggest Loser Competition - Our next weigh-in is this Friday. Honestly, I'm not sure how I'm going to do. I'm hoping for at least 1.5 lb loss. I've kept my calories to around 1300, but I haven't been exercising and exercise is a HUGE part of weight loss. For today I am proud that I ate well and drank wisely. Exercise...well, maybe later!
I drank 10 glasses of water today. That's 80 ounces!!!! Of course I had to pee a million times, that is the down-side of drinking so much. The upside. Is there an upside? You bet! My skin will clear up, my kidneys will clean out and take all those lovely toxins with them, better brain function, better sleep (if I don't have to get up to pee during the night), and my joints will function better. Oh yeah, did I mention weight loss? Flush the fat too!
I was reading somewhere today that you are supposed to take your body weight and divide it in two and that is how many ounces of water you are supposed to drink a day.
241 pounds / 2 = 120.5 OUNCES OF WATER... A DAY!!!!
Are you kidding me??? That's almost a GALLON of water. You might as well hook me up to an IV and stick me on a potty because that is the only way you are getting 120 ounces in me. I'm lucky to get 32 in me most days. The best part of this theory is that as I reach the top of the proverbial mountain, I get to drink less and less!
Biggest Loser Competition - Our next weigh-in is this Friday. Honestly, I'm not sure how I'm going to do. I'm hoping for at least 1.5 lb loss. I've kept my calories to around 1300, but I haven't been exercising and exercise is a HUGE part of weight loss. For today I am proud that I ate well and drank wisely. Exercise...well, maybe later!
I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man. ~Henry David Thoreau
The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea. ~Isak Dinesen
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A full blown case of the crankies....
Day two of climbing Mount Everest and I have a major case of the crankies....
One of my skinny friends, (you know, the one who has never had a weight issue in her life) was giving my diet and weight loss advice. "Just don't eat carbs! That's what I do." - I was thinking why don't I just stop eating all together. That would be easier. I wanted to snap her head off and eat it for a snack. Yep I'm definitely CRANKY and it is time for my nap.
I know my friend is only trying to help and truly I love her for it, but I don't think she fully understands what it's like to have to lose sooooo much weight. How overwelming it is. And today is not the day for me to explain it to her. :)
So far today it's been Greek Yogurt and Lots of veggies for lunch. Time to chug the water to help with the hunger pangs. Dinner tonight is still undecided but whatever it is involves cooking. More cooking from now on, less processed crap and eating out. :'( Oh well...
Onward and Upward I go,
Leslie
One of my skinny friends, (you know, the one who has never had a weight issue in her life) was giving my diet and weight loss advice. "Just don't eat carbs! That's what I do." - I was thinking why don't I just stop eating all together. That would be easier. I wanted to snap her head off and eat it for a snack. Yep I'm definitely CRANKY and it is time for my nap.
I know my friend is only trying to help and truly I love her for it, but I don't think she fully understands what it's like to have to lose sooooo much weight. How overwelming it is. And today is not the day for me to explain it to her. :)
So far today it's been Greek Yogurt and Lots of veggies for lunch. Time to chug the water to help with the hunger pangs. Dinner tonight is still undecided but whatever it is involves cooking. More cooking from now on, less processed crap and eating out. :'( Oh well...
Onward and Upward I go,
Leslie
Monday, January 3, 2011
Picture taken today....
Several things come to mind.....
1. This looks like a mug shot...all I'm missing is my prison number 241-132011.
2. Goodyear called, they'd like their spare tire back.
3. MMMOOO!
Mt Everest or bust...
Hello again. Long time, no see. Where have I been you ask? I've been so busy being a lazy couch potato eating everything and anything I can get my hands on. I've also been playing Farmville and Frontierville on Facebook (so addicting!), that I've had absolutly NO time to exercise or eat right....OK, ok, the truth is I'VE HAD NO DISIRE to eat right or lose weight. For someone who was 50 lbs away from goal, that is a dangerous attitude. And the reward for such a slack attitude??? I now need to lose 80. Feels like I have to reclimb a mountain I've all ready climed and I have no one to blame but myself.
STARTING TO CLIMBING MT EVEREST - Today at work we started our own Biggest Loser competiton. I have a feeling I weigh MORE than everyone in the group (including the one male). We set goals for this 3 month competition. Mine is to lose 25 lbs. Ten bucks to join, a dollar per pound gained, $2 per pound if you gain two weeks in a row.
I've climbed the mountain before and I know I can do it again. This time I AM GOING TO REACH THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. I have started keeping a food and exercise log on MyFitnessPal.com (it's FREE!!) and I'm going to try and stay faithful to my blog/diary. I know...you've heard this all before, but I promise to do better this time. I'm going to keep trying and trying until I figure out what works for me, what motivates me, what inspires me...
Your thoughts and encouragement is appreciated.
Blessings!
Leslie
STARTING TO CLIMBING MT EVEREST - Today at work we started our own Biggest Loser competiton. I have a feeling I weigh MORE than everyone in the group (including the one male). We set goals for this 3 month competition. Mine is to lose 25 lbs. Ten bucks to join, a dollar per pound gained, $2 per pound if you gain two weeks in a row.
I've climbed the mountain before and I know I can do it again. This time I AM GOING TO REACH THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. I have started keeping a food and exercise log on MyFitnessPal.com (it's FREE!!) and I'm going to try and stay faithful to my blog/diary. I know...you've heard this all before, but I promise to do better this time. I'm going to keep trying and trying until I figure out what works for me, what motivates me, what inspires me...
Your thoughts and encouragement is appreciated.
Blessings!
Leslie
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