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!

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.

"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 Kipling
I 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!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Weekly Weigh-in...Week 2

(Insert timpani drum roll here)......And the scale reads:

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.

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!

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!
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.

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.
"FAILURE TO PLAN, IS PLANNING TO FAIL"
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.

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.

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

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