Day 205

Hello Day 205, you have been pretty good to me. I woke up and got a call from Shelley at Beth's Massage saying that she would be able to work on my back this morning! Huge help to me!!

Then, I headed to the hospital and things were looking up there a bit (I'm an optimist) . . . I know God is in charge!!! Prayers are much needed and appreciated at this time.

I packed my lunch and dinner today so I was still able to eat healthy . . . BUT still no exercise. I promise that I will tomorrow. Hold me accountable to that!!

Thanks again for following along and supporting through this difficult time!

God Bless!

Day 205

Today was a better day, my family member was much more alert today and that was a huge relief. I was back to work this afternoon as well. Although I had good intentions, I was unable to get in a workout today, but I kept my calories in check and ate healthy. Hoping to exercise tomorrow . . . and really get back to my blogging again!

Day 206

Another crazy day...we are surviving....I am packing my lunches at the hospital which helps me with my healthy eating. Prayers are much appreciated. I can't begin to thank you enough for your support. I am sitting here in the hospital room sipping on a hazelnut iced tea made by the friendly guy from Mojo's here at the hospital. It's yummy and zero calories! No exercising today, but I plan to start back tomorrow....

Day 207

Today is Saturday, and I am headed out to the hospital. I have not had the time, energy, or focus to exercise, but I am continuing to eat healthy. I have even lost almost one more pound. I am into the two-teens 219.4 now . . . Very happy about that. I am going to be e-mailing some of you today to give more details about my situation . . . prayers are needed at this time. Your love and support is evident by the fact that you follow my blog even on days when I am too heart broken to be creative or witty . . . just a boring post to say . . . I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP!

Hope to start back to exercising on Monday . . .

Prayers appreciated!

Day 208

Just a quick note for all those who follow my blog. I did not get to post yesterday because as of Wednesday evening, my world was turned upside down. Our family had an emergency, with an ill family member and I am the one primarily responsible for assisting in this situation.

I did not get to exercise yesterday or today, I barely got any sleep. I am tired, my head hurts from crying, etc.

I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP!

I have remained faithful to count my calories and make healthy choices. I am still being very careful what I put into my body. Normally at times like this, I want to curl up and binge on three dozen doughnuts and chocolate milk, BUT I refuse to go back to that lifestyle.

Please pray for our family . . .

Thank you for following along on this journey, I've hit a rough patch, but will continue on . . .

Updates tomorrow!

Day 210

Good morning . . . I want to take a moment and say a big thank you to all those who have been following along with me on this journey. Though I have only allowed a few of you access to this, my most personal blog, I am grateful that you have decided to follow along because it gives me support and accountability! So thank you :-)

Today is Wednesday, and typically Wednesdays are my least stressful days at work . . . we shall see. I am feeling a lot better, the antibiotics have really helped! My back is still a major source of pain for me, so my doctor has prescribed me 3 days of Physical Therapy / week. I am excited to start this on February 10. I am also going to be seeing a new dr, who is a holistic doc . . . he specializes in acupuncture. I hope to get some good results there as well. I see him on Feb 3.

I plan to hit the MU gym today . . . headed over there around noon. I am going to try to push myself on the procor today (remember the cricket looking machine that is a lot like a stair climber). Last time I made it 40 minutes on there. I will try to reach that goal again today. It is a definite calorie torch!

Today's menu: Breakfast = egg beaters & ww toast; Lunch=organic blue corn chips and home made salsa & strawberries; Dinner = kale, white beans, and an apple.

Looks like I am getting my 5 servings of fruits and veggies in today ;-)

Hope you all have a successful and healthy Wednesday!!

God Bless!

Day 211: Down 10 Tuesday

I am so excited to be able to post that I am down 10 lbs today. I weighed in this morning and I was down to 220.1. I have been known in the past to lose 10 - gain 10 . . . NOT THIS TIME!! I am too STRONG to give up now!!! So are you!!!

Today is going to be a rather "off" day for me. I have to take my husband to the hospital for blood-work and tests, etc. This puts me a bit out of my routine, but I will maintain my healthy habits - I am determined!

Today's meal plan is: Breakfast - fruit and oatmeal (homemade; aka: the real kind); Lunch - turkey sandwich with organic blue corn chips and homemade salsa (see the recipe below); Dinner- Salad and Tofu Spaghetti (the whole bag of tofu noodles are only 40 cals) with tomato sauce.

I am headed to work out on the elliptical for 45 minutes using that incline chart I posted yesterday . . .

Also, I have been reading a book on health and it really encouraged me to get for fruits and veggies in my diet. Yesterday I had 2 fruits and 2 veggies. Today I will have 3 fruits and 2 veggies. The goal is 5 a day!

Chili's Copycat Salsa Recipe:

(Recipe from Deals to Meals)

2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole tomatoes, drained
1 small (4 oz) can diced or whole jalapenos (not pickled)--about 4-5 jalapenos (or less if you don't like a lot of spice)
1/4 c. yellow onion, cut into quarters (you can also use dried minced onion)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. salt (depending on how much you prefer)
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. lime juice

Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips

Day 212: Manic Monday

Have you ever heard the Bangles . . . . Manic Monday!! Mondays are always my busiest day at work, so I am starting this Manic Monday off right with prayer, a good work out, healthy and yummy breakfast, and a massage!

Notice the chart above, that is a incline progression chart for the treadmill. I modified it this morning for my elliptical, and honestly, it was a good workout, but as you can see from my photo, I was still able to smile. I challenge all my bloggers to try it at east once. I plan to continue to use this chart because I liked the way it gave me some intense cardio, but always offered a quick break in between.

I am having nut butter and ww toast for breakfast with ice water; lean cuisine with an orange for lunch; and oatmeal with fruit for dinner . . .

God bless you all today!!

Day 213: Just Do It

I am thankful to God to be able to post two things this morning: #1 - I have been binge free for 26 days straight (that is a miracle); #2- I lost (almost) one more pound from the last time I weighed in.

I have to admit, I was afraid after last nights meal at Roosters, that I was going to weigh heavier . . . the meal was not worth the calories. The food was just so-so. After our meal, our friends ordered dessert, and my husband asked me if I wanted any, and I politely said a "no thank you, but if they had frozen yogurt, I'd consider it". Well, we all were parting ways and my sweetie and I got in the car, when all of a sudden we are pulling into Sonics and he gets two strawberry sundaes for our dessert. I ate it; it was delicious; it was 322 calories!!! So, that totaled yesterday's calories at just over 2,100 calories (way more than my usual intake these days). I was a bit disappointed in myself, but life happens.

Today is a new day and my motto is "Just Do It"!! I am on track and ready to face today and make healthy decisions and try to keep my calories between 1,400 - 1,600.

If you haven't checked out my "survival page", click on the link to the left, and check it out . . . I will update as new survival items come into my life ;-)

I am off to watch Hungry Girl on Food Network with my momma . . .

Hope you all are having a blessed Sunday.

Day 214

Today is day 214 and I woke up at 7:19 am (on a day when I could be sleeping in) . . . I really think I so look forward to working out and blogging (and my nut butter toast) that my body is waking up out of excitement.

Today, I tried to push myself a little harder because we (Me, my hubby - Dan, and our friends Pam and Ted) are going to Roosters for dinner together this evening. So rather then me making a bunch of bad choices (because I am always very hungry around dinner), I reviewed the menu last night and have decided on ordering: half greek salad with FF dressing and 5 roosters hot wings with celery . . . not too bad (I thought) . . . THEN, I looked up the calories in the wings = 866 calories in 5 little hot wings!!! HOLY COW (or should I say "HOLY ROOSTER"). I am still going to treat myself to what I had planned to order, but I knew I had to workout extra today!!
I am getting ready to soak in a hot tub of water and then eat my nut butter on ww toast for breakfast . . .

Hope you guys are having a healthy weekend . . . . keep it up!!

Day 215

Today is day 215 . . . I had to get up at 6:00 am to be at the college so that my ASL students and I could get recognized for our work in the Christmas parade . . . our float won first place. This threw me off schedule. I was tired and cranky all day, and my workout at the gym was a lazy one, but still I did work out.

Not to mention, I ended up at the ER last night with a UTI and a sinus/respiratory infection and new antibiotics = fun, fun :-(

I was able to pull out my size 18 clothes today (note the above picture). 8 lbs ago, I was a tight 20, so I am feeling pretty good about that. . .

I have eaten healthy today, and only had around 1,300 calories . . . so pretty successful day considering I had so little sleep.

Goodnight Friends zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Day 216: Happy Birthday, Aunt Dee!!

I want to begin my blog with a very special shout out to my Aunt Dee who is faithfully following along and encouraging me as I lose weight. She is losing weight herself and doing a fantastic job of being a role model for me. Today is her BIRTHDAY!! Happy BIrthday to one of the greatest women I know. I love you, Aunt Dee!!

As for me, today,I could say: "I'm sick" . . . blah blah, blah, but I have decided to stop making excuses. This cold has really kicked me in the *behind* and I am STILL hitting the gym and eating healthy in moderation, even though daddy always said "feed a cold". . .

I fed my cold chicken noodle soup (whole can 150 cals) and a hot toddy last night. It felt good at the time, but I woke up all congested and quite infected, so I think I will be hitting urgent care after work tonight.

I went to the gym yesterday and did 30 minutes on the elliptical which burned 251 calories. I took it easy on myself, but still got in my minimum 30 minutes. I plan to hit the gym for about an hour today, still not pushing too hard.

Eating plans for the day: ww toast with nut butter for breakfast, lean cuisine and salad for lunch, and eat out somewhere for dinner after the urgent care.

Happy Thursday, everyone and Happy Birthday, Aunt Dee!

Day 217: Happy Wednesday

Hope everyone is having a happy wednesday! I am sure going to try to have a happy day. I am currently battling feelings of selfishness as I work out etc because it requires a few minutes that is all about me, and I am used to taking care of everyone else. I try to tell myself the old saying, "If you don't take care of yourself, you will never be able take care of anyone else."

I have been in so much pain at night, that it is almost unbearable. My lower back and left side spasm when I lay down at night, and I am not sure what the cause is . . . I see my new doctor on Friday the 27th on January, and I plan to tell him about it. Plus, I am sick with a bad cold!! Prayers appreciated at this time. . .

Good news: I am 1.4 lbs lighter than I was the last time I weighed!! That's a total of 7.9 pounds in 21 days . . . . HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY :-D

I plan to take it easy this morning and workout at the Marshall Gym this afternoon. I feel that I get my best workout at the gym, seems like I push myself more there.

Today's menu includes: whole wheat toast with nut butter and skim milk for breakfast, egg beaters with turkey bacon for lunch, and veggies for dinner . . . .

Happy Wednesday!!

Day 218

Well, today was super busy and stressful so normally I would binge to comfort myself, but I did not! I had three healthy meals and one snack which all together totaled only 1,265 calories. I went to the gym today and burned 220 calories on the treadmill. I am a bit sad tonight because I feel that I've neglected my family today due to my stressful work environment....tomorrow is a new day and hopefully I will be more attentive to my home since I don't go to work until later in the day.

I've met my goal of being binge free for 20 days as of today. Thank God for that stepping stone of success!

1 hour = feelin like a rock star!

I walked with jogging intervals for an hour outside today. I feel great and my jogging intervals were longer than last time definitely!

Day 219

Good morning! Today is day 219, and I have been on my journey now for a little over two weeks and I am down 6.1 pounds as of this morning. . . I am satisfied! I weighed in at 223.9 as opposed to yesterday's 224.5 . . . I am determined to NEVER gain this weight back again!!

Today, is MLK day, so I am off work ***hallelujah chorus***

I slept in til 8:30 and I am up and ready to go outside and do walk / jog intervals. I am trying to train my body to eventually run. So I walk a mile, then start doing interval jogging from various points i.e. mailboxes, trees, houses, etc. I will gradually make these points a farther distance from themselves as my body builds up strength and endurance. I would love to be a (slow) runner one day. A girl can dream, can't she?!?

I have on my under armor cold wear compression pants that I got from Dicks Sporting Goods. They are supposed to keep your legs warm at temps below 55 degrees.

We will see . . .

I am headed out in just a few, but first, my menu for today:

• I will grab some toast and nut butter for breakfast
• a home made tortilla pizza for lunch
• salad with lots of veggies for dinner

Tonight is my Mother-in-law's birthday, so I will have a piece of birthday cake tonight for my sweet treat. I have a weakness for sweets . . . good thing is, I made the cake, so I used Sugar Free cake mix, fresh fruit, no oil (applesauce), and I am using fat free cool whip for icing, so all together a piece of this cake is ok in moderation . . . only ONE piece, Leigh-Ann!!!!!!

Time to jog . . .

Day 220

Hope everyone is having a great day. The picture above is a reflection of how I feel today: fat and sassy :-) I just love monkeys!! I am in a good mood in spite of the fact that the scales show a mere 1/2 pound loss after much work and dieting. . .

I have decided to merely take a short walk today, because I barely got any sleep last night due to back pain . . .I think I am having lower back spasms . . . they are awful!

Today was Subway for lunch . . . Subway has always been one of my favorites, and I love that I can eat healthy there . . . I had a 6 inch black forest ham on honey oat with loads of veggies . . .

Happy Sunday, everyone!!

Day 221

221 more days until August 20th . . . .will I be at me weight goal? I sure hope so!! Some days, I doubt it, but I try not to let the doubt overtake me! I have a 4 day weekend (Friday - Monday) and I have noticed that it is so much more difficult for me when I am out of my daily routine.

When I am home, I want to munch around more than when I am busy at work and don't have time to think about food. So my challenge for today is "Don't live to eat, eat to live" . . . only eat when you are really hungry. A lot of times, I think I am really hungry and when I drink water, or chew gum, I am satisfied. By the way, if you haven't tried it, Extra makes some yummy dessert flavored gum, my two favorites are Apple Pie, and Key Lime Pie!! I also love Big Red Cinnamon gum (it has sugar and Extra does not) . . . I am officially a gum addict!

I just downloaded a new workout song by Fatboy Slim: Right Here, Right Now. Pretty cool beat, so the song is calling me as I head to my elliptical machine for my 30 minute jog.

I will have whole grain toast with peanut butter and marmalade for breakfast, a home made pizza for lunch, and stir fried veggies for dinner . . .

That's the plan, man!!

Exhilarating

Exhilarating is the only word I can think of after walking / interval jogging in the snow for 30 minutes. Grant it, I only burned 150 calories, but it felt great. I was totally bundled up, but look how RED my face got anyways!! I love the snow, so much better to work out in the snow that to be inside on my elliptical. Yes, I danced with Francois too!

Day 222

So yesterday was a hoot! I was ambitious and decided to hit the Marshall University Gym. I went over and changed, etc, then immediately got on what I thought was an elliptical machine. WRONG-O! It was a Precore Machine. . . that was much more like a stair climber than an elliptical. I hate stair climbers! I stayed on it for 20 minutes just to prove to myself that I could, then I hopped onto the treadmill for 1.5 miles at a slight inline at about 3.1 mph. Pretty good for the first day back at the gym. I really enjoyed it! Maybe I am in what they call the "honeymoon" phase of weight loss where I am super ambitious.

This morning, I am not feeling so ambitious. With the white snow on the ground, all I want is to stay in bed, but alas, I am up and going to once again attempt to dance with Francios.

We were supposed to be heading to Baltimore, MD today, but with the snow, we decided to postpone our trip until April. I was headed there for an Interpreting exam. I thank God for working that out. I feel safer staying home when it is snowing!

By the way, I am considering taking up running in the Spring? I may sign up for a 5K, once I can get about 10 - 15 more pounds off. . .

Day 223

This is my motto, as I begin my day. I was so discouraged a minute ago, as I stood on my scales. They were weighing me 2 lbs heavier: 227!!! (It is that time of the month - - - insert loud BOO), anyway, I looked on line and most women gain 2 - 6 pounds due to water weight and bloating, so that relieved my worried self. Then, I saw this quote and realized, that even though I may gain a few pounds (while on my period), there are so many others out there with life-threatening diseases and conditions who are praying for survival as I type. I want to take a moment to publicly thank God for His outpouring of blessings on me and my family. We are so blessed for all He has given us through the years. Many folks don't have the option of being fat, because they don't have enough food. I want to remain thankful, dedicated to healthy eating, and exercise as I go about this day 223 and on . . . .

Thank you, God . . . .

Leigh-Ann

P.S. - Blog Followers, I was looking at a blog that I follow and the topic was self esteem - I would like to see your answers to the following statements: E-mail me or post your answers below, please!! I will post my answers tomorrow on my blog . . .

Questions:

I often receive the most compliments on my _________________

What I admire most about myself when I look at my reflection is ____________________

I take pride in my _________________________

I love the fact that I can______________________

My greatest quality is __________________________

Day 224

Today is Wednesday an I have survived the work week so far. It has been a challenge keeping up my exercise while trying to work and take care of family, but NO EXCUSES!! I must exercise and eat healthy!! I am still at a stand still with my weight, will I ever go under 225?
I woke up this morning, and jumped on my elliptical for 30 minutes before heading to work. For breakfast, I had a boiled egg, 1 slice of whole grain toast, and a banana. I packed a Lean Cuisine and an apple for my lunch. Dinner is always my most difficult meal. Still have no idea what I will have . . .

Hope you guys are having a healthy day ;-)

God Bless!!

225

Today is day 225 and I weigh 225. I am hoping that I can begin to lose a bit more. I feel discouraged that my numbers aren't going down, and I am trying so hard. But as the saying says, it will probably take 4 weeks for me to notice a change in my body . . . .

Yesterday, I used my faculty waiver at the college to get a 3 month (almost free) membership to the Marshall University fitness center. I am really looking forward to that because it is such a fabulous gym . . . everything from swimming pools to tennis, to rock climbing walls (don't worry, I am NOT going to climb the rock wall)!

I did well at work yesterday, typical stress and aggravation from administration, but over all pretty good day. I kept to my healthy eating plan. . . . thank God for Lean Cuisines and an office microwave ;-)

I am getting ready to dance with "Francois". . . I have decided to name my wii a French name . . . can you guess why?? Just Dance 3, here we come!!

I found Cinnabon Cream of Wheat at the store yesterday, so that is my breakfast plan . . .

Another Lean Cuisine for lunch with an apple . . .

Dinner is still up in the air . . . probably cookie dough that I made last night . . .

Hope you have a fantastic day!!

Delicious Dessert . . .

I just made peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie dough that was healthy! It was yummy beyond description!! Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chickpeas
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Drain, measure, wash, and peel your chickpeas. Peeling them isn’t absolutely necessary but it makes for the creamiest hummus and really is worth the effort.

In a food processor, add the first 4 ingredients and process until the hummus is smooth and emulsified(the one thing no one wants for dessert is chunky chickpea pieces in their dessert).

Remove and lick the blade and fold in the chocolate chips. Move into a deep serving bowl and serve with graham crackers or baby carrots.

226: Focus on healthy habits NOT restrictions

Today is day 226 . . . .only 226 more days for me to be at 180 pounds. I am determined to meet my challenge!

You can tell by looking at me that I was still 1/2 asleep as I did my elliptical this morning. At least I got up and did it!

I read the quote "Focus on Healthy Habits NOT on Restrictions" . . . . all my life, I focused on the things I can't have, can't eat, can't do . . . .that leads to failure. The focus on healthy changes is key to our success.

Congratulations to my friend, Deena, who has started developing her healthy habits. She has been drinking more water, loading up on fruits and veggies, and lean protein. She is also starting a yoga class and a spin class soon. Way to go, Dee!

I Start back to work full swing today ---- prayers needed!!

I am starting the day with a smoothie from my Magic Bullet (couldn't live without that thing).

Taking a Lean Cuisine for lunch . . . . and probably egg beaters with whole grain toast for dinner.

God Bless You today as you develop healthy habits!

Day 227

Today is day 227, and I weigh 225. Before you think I have been slacking . . . yesterday when I went shopping at Target, I bought a new digital scale, my other one was so old and it wasn't digital. My old scale was weighing me 1 lb lighter than the new scales. I checked ;-) just to make sure I hadn't gained. I was not happy, but I did expect a different reading from different scales. I will post this new weight, but I still have lost 6 lbs.

While at Target, I got my Just Dance 3 (with a 10.00 discount . . . .yay!!) and a pink kettle bell weight with dvd made by Bob Harper from Biggest Loser. I am so excited to add this to my workout routine. The kettle bells above were from Target online and not in the store. I was just as happy because for those of you who know me well, PINK is my favorite color.

I did not sleep well last night because of excruciating lower back pain to the point I couldn't move in the bed. I have 6 herniated / bulging disks in my back, and I am seeing a new doctor on January 12 to see if I can get into Physical Therapy. I see a massage therapist each week and she is a God send . . . her name is Shelley Fernley from Beth's massage in Hurricane, WV. I highly recommend her. I have had so many people work on my back, and she is by far the best I have ever had!!

Today, I plan to watch Hungry Girl on Food Network at 10:00 am with my momma, so I need to get a small work out in before that. I don't like to work out on Sundays, and my back needs a break, so I will probably just do 15 minutes on my elliptical to get my blood flowing.

For breakfast, I plan to have cereal . . . lunch = salad, and dinner = egg beaters and whole wheat toast with some veggies.

Enjoy your day everyone . . . .God bless you all.

Day 227: I Wanna Shop

I am thinking what better way to reward myself for a 6 lb weight loss than to shop?!? Shop for what? I really want the weight set that you see above, and the Just Dance 3 for Wii. I am still trying to decide on a name for my wii . . . since he is my dance partner, you know. I also need to shop for epsom salts, since I am sore all over from this weeks work outs . . .

Today, I plan on roasting some brussel sprouts and carrots in the oven . . . yummo! And it fills my desire to binge because I can eat the entire cookie sheet of roasted veggies for under 500 calories. Don't touch them . . . they are ALL mine ;-)

Speaking of dancing, I am going to get off of here and go dance . . .

Happy Saturday!!

Day 228

Today is day 228, I have 228 days left in my 50 lb challenge.

Yesterday was successful. I made some good choices overall. As I told you, our friends, Eddie and Barb, were visiting from Texas, and they wanted cheeseburgers and pizza, so I ate a small cheeseburger (not a double like everyone else) and no pizza!!! I resisted the Rocky Top pizza that smelled so yummy . . . After the cheeseburger, I took a 15 minute run on my elliptical trainer. I had the munchies last night and I snacked on deer jerky that a friend made me. I figure that is an ok snack since it is protein and deer doesn't have much fat.

Today, I start back to work, which has me really stressed out because I can't ever seem to catch a break and my health reflects my stress levels there. I really need prayer as I start back! I woke up this morning and cooked a country breakfast for our parting Texas guests. I made biscuits, sausage gravy, fried potatoes, fried eggs, and bacon. I ate a tablespoon of each and one biscuit. I figured around 500 calories. Then, I took a 45 minute walk outside!! What a beautiful day . . . God is so good! I prayed for all my weight loss buddies this morning. May you be blessed as you go about your day. . . . Much Love!!

I did it....

Got up out of bed, weighed in (down one more pound = 224), bundled up, and went out and walked for 45 minutes. I even jogged for 10 seconds ;-). Today I met my goal of 4x exercising this week!

229

"The hardest part is deciding to go". That's my motto as I lay here in bed - cozy, warm, lazy, tired. I DO NOT want to get up and work out this morning. If I decide to, I will post a picture later, if not then I've been lazy and stayed here in bed! Yesterday I ate oatmeal for breakfast, salad and one (yes, only one) slice of pizza (388 calories!?!) for lunch, and brown rice with veggies and pinto beans for dinner, then 1/2 an apple with peanut butter and granola for a snack. Even took my Grandma to McDonalds and didn't break over for a cheeseburger! Speaking of cheeseburgers, our friends from Texas are visiting us tonight and they want 5 Guys Cheeseburgers (my favorite) and Rocky Top pizza (another favorite)!! My friends are killing me, literally.... I better get out of this bed and exercise! I need some extra prayers today!

Day 230

I would have never dreamed yesterday that I would be jogging on my elliptical this morning, but I did . . . and for 30 minutes!! I am sweaty and it feels powerful!! The machine says that I jogged 4.94 miles in 30 minutes and burned 92 calories?!? WHAT?? 92 calories??? My Lose It app says that I probably burned more like 378 calories. I seriously doubt that I went 4.94 miles in 30 minutes either, but I pushed myself as hard as I could . . . .feels good!

Yesterday, my husband and I went out to eat with some friends to a Chinese buffet. I stayed away from all fried foods. I ate steamed crab legs, peel and eat shrimp, veggies ad fruits, and a very small helping of my favorite coconut shrimp which is pure sugar and fat with a tad of shrimp. I exceeded my calorie limit there, but was proud that I refrained from some of my favorite fried dishes. Normally I would have thrown all cares to the wind and just eaten my heart out, but I was more disciplined.

Today, a friend is coming to visit and wants to order a pizza (my favorite pizza). I plan to limit myself to one piece and eat a large salad (I like salad) with it . . .

I am so thrilled that Katie from the "Runs for Cookies" blog (that motivated me to create my own blog) e-mailed me back yesterday! She says she is willing to follow my blog. She is an amazing young woman who has lost over 100 lbs and has even appeared on the Dr. Oz show.

I encourage everyone to check out her blog, it is linked under my resources at the bottom of mine.

Love and Prayers for a Successful day to all my weight loss comrades!

231

Today is day 231 . . . . is it August yet ;-)

I said yesterday that I wasn't able to get satisfied . . . .I could have eaten a "horse". I went to bed hungry, really wanting to get up at midnight and snack on some deer jerky that Keith Ellison gave me (which wouldn't have been a bad snack), but I had exceeded my calorie limit.

BUT,

I woke up this morning feeling lighter! So, I decided to jump on my scale (Don't panic, I won't be the fat girl who lives daily on the scale - my goal is once a week).

Anyway, I was 5 lbs lighter this morning: 225!

I was thrilled ----- anyone ever heard of water weight? I am sure that is what it is, but I would like to think it was 5 pounds of FAT . . .

I am up and ready to dance with my wii. I think I will give him a name, since he will be my forever dance partner on this journey. Any suggestions?

I am so very grateful to now have two blog followers: Dee and Deena :-)

A huge part of my motivation, is not being alone on this journey . . . thanks to my D's, I have already been encouraged!

Ugh

Super hungry today....can't get satisfied :-(

Day 232

Woke up this morning and prepared my meals for the day. I had egg beaters, turkey bacon, and whole grain toast for breakfast. Made a turkey, munster cheese, and mustard sandwich on whole grain bread for lunch, and put orange chicken in the crock pot for dinner. I got that recipe from pinterest and it has 429 calories in a serving, but they are healthy calories: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, orange juice, splenda brown sugar blend, chicken breast. I plan to serve that over brown rice with snow peas. This will keep me within my 1,425 calorie goal for the day. I am off work, so I plan to clean house for several hours (the Bowens are coming to visit tomorrow), and I am getting ready to do Just Dance 2 on my wii for about 15 - 20 minutes. I am fat, and exercise is difficult for me, but I will attempt aerobic dancing with my wii . . . only 232 days left til I lose my 50 lbs! I can do this!

233 days

So, according to the internet, I will be at my first goal weight of 180 lbs by August 20, 2012 if I only consume 1425 calories per day. That means I have 233 days to go to lose my first 50 pounds.

2011: The Final Fat Year

Today is January 1, 2012. I'm 33 years old, 5' 9" and I weigh 230 lbs. I decided that 2011 was going to be my final fat year. I have been obese all of my life. Made fun of as a kid, fat through high school and college, etc. In 2000, I lost 80 pounds and kept it off less than a year. Then, in 2005, I started losing weight and kept it off through 2008. Then I just gave up . . . I am a FAT girl. I love to eat. I hate exercise. Good bye buttercream icing, cadbury chocolate, crab rangoons, you have been my friends . . . My body has had enough - rapid heart rate, rising blood pressure, high triglycerides, back pain . . . . good riddance!

I am going to try this again and I WILL keep the weight off this time. 2011: The Final Fat Year!