Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Stay Tune

Sorry for the delay. I will be back to blogging after April 24th when the Curriculum Fair is over.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

ITS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH!


Hey all - I am not sure if all or any of you are still following this post AND I am so very sorry that I have not. I came to the site tonight so that I could get some encouraging words from all of you just to find no new posts. (sigh)... I hope you are all doing well in keeping your commitments AND eating right, exercising regularly. I am going to continue to post on this site I guess for my own self fulfillment and maybe someone will benefit from it.


Remember to drink your water, eat all the protein you can and stay away from those refined sugars! Good luck and happy weight loss!


Sunday, March 8, 2009

A New Look

OK, here is a fun site you need to go to http://www.weightview.com/ .
It is a free service where you can see what you would look like 10,20, 30, even 50 pounds lighter.
Here is a "before" picture of me two years ago when I weighed 180.And here is my "after" picture 50 lbs lighter. My goal has just changed, as I always thought if I got down past 150 I would look too skinny. Well I was dead wrong. 130 here I come!!!



If you do this I would love to see your "before" and "after" pictures.
I have my "after" picture on my wall so that I can see how I would look with the weight gone. Great incentive.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

March the month to Fall

I have notice that around this time of year is when people start giving into temptations and their goals for weightloss and fitness starts to decrease. In order to stay motivated, it helps to have a group of people supporting you, yet they can not do it alone. You also have to participate. Keep making goals. Tell others about them so they can check up on how you are doing. Plan your meals, plan your exercise program. This is about lifestyle changes. Not just about loosing weight and then going back to the way your were before. That is called the "yo-yo" diet. Excuses...we are too busy, we don't have the money, I am too tired, it can go on and on, yet there is NO excuse if you really want to change your life and become healthier. Start small, yet start and then keep going.
My goal date is December and then once December comes around, another goal will be chosen. Once I get to the weight I want, then I will make goals to stay that weight, get toner and stronger.
If we don't make goal, write them down and keep them, then we will fail.
What are you going to do?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Goals

Is anyone out there still making goal and has anyone achieved their goal yet?

Aspartame and MS - The Silent Killer

I am posting this article because it got me thinking. A dear friend of mine was admitted to the hospital because of slurred speech, blurred vision, massive headache,etc. They thought this person was having a stroke yet could not find a bleeder. The more I thought about this the more I believe this is what this person has (aspartame poisoning), as this person is a heavy soda drinker.

Please Read:

Aspartame
World Environmental Conference and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation F.D.A. issuing for collusion with Monsanto
Article written by Nancy Markle (1120197)
I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on "ASPARTAME marketed as 'NutraSweet', 'Equal', and 'Spoonful"'.
In the keynote address by the EPA, they announced that there was an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus, and they did not understand what toxin was causing this to be rampant across the United States. I explained that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject.
When the temperature of Aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. (Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants). The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus people were being diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis in error.
The multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, where methanol toxicity is. In the case of systemic lupus, we are finding it has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers.
Also, with methanol toxicity, the victims usually drink three to four 12oz. cans of them per day, some even more. In the cases of systemic lupus, which is triggered by ASPARTAME, the victim usually does not know that the aspartame is the culprit. The victim continues its use aggravating the lupus to such a degree, that sometimes it becomes life threatening. When we get people off the aspartame, those with systemic lupus usually become symptomatic.
Unfortunately, we cannot reverse this disease.
On the other hand, in the case of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, (when in reality, the disease is methanol toxicity), most of the symptoms disappear. We have seen cases where their vision has returned and even their hearing has returned. This also applies to cases of tinnitus.
During a lecture I said "If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss, you probably have ASPARTAME DISEASE!"
People were jumping up during the lecture saying, "I've got this, is it reversible?" It is rampant. Some of the speakers at my lecture even were suffering from these symptoms. In one lecture attended by the Ambassador of Uganda, he told us that their sugar industry is adding aspartame! He continued by saying that one of the industry leader's son could no longer walk - due in part by product usage!
We have a very serious problem. Even a stranger came up to Dr. Espisto (one of my speakers) and myself and said, 'Could you tell me why so many people seem to be coming down with MS? During a visit to a hospice, a nurse said that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence.
Here is the problem. There were Congressional Hearings when aspartame was included in 100 different products. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, but to no avail. Nothing has been done.
The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets. Now there are over 5,000 products containing this chemical, and the PATENT HAS EXPIRED!!!!!
At the time of this first hearing, people were going blind. The methanol in the aspartame converts to formaldehyde in the retina of the eye.
Formaldehyde is grouped in the same class of drugs as cyanide and arsenic - DEADLY POISONS!!!
Unfortunately, it just takes longer to quietly kill, but it is killing people and causing all kinds of neurological problems.
Aspartame changes the brain's chemistry. It is the reason for severe seizures. This drug changes the dopamine level in the brain. Imagine what this drug does to patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. This drug also causes Birth Defects.
There is absolutely no reason to take this product. It is NOT A DIET PRODUCT!!! The Congressional record said, "It makes you crave carbohydrates and will make you FAT". Dr. Roberts stated that when he got patients off aspartame, their average weight loss was 19 pounds per person. The formaldehyde stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Aspartame is especially deadly for diabetics. All physicians know what wood alcohol will do to a diabetic. We find that physicians believe that they have patients with retinopathy, when in fact, it is caused by the aspartame.
The aspartame keeps the blood sugar level out of control, causing many patients to go into a coma. Unfortunately, many have died. People were telling us at the Conference of the American College of Physicians, that they had relatives that switched from saccharin to an aspartame product and how that relative had eventually gone into a coma. Their physicians could not get the blood sugar levels under control. Thus, the patients suffered acute memory loss and eventually coma and death.
Memory loss is due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are neurotoxic without the other amino acids found in protein. Thus it goes past the blood brain barrier and deteriorates the neurons of the brain.
Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon, said, "The ingredients stimulate the neurons of the brain to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees.
Dr. Blaylock has written a book entitled "EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILLS"

If you want more information - just google Aspartame and MS.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Here you go again.

Chocolate peanut butter cookies

1 TBSP Peanut Butter
1/3 cup Oatmeal
1 pkg. Swiss Miss No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 scoop protein powder

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. Makes 6 cookies, which equals one MEAL (one serving carb/one serving protein).

I take these along when I know I will be going to town. They are great as you feel you are having dessert yet it is a meal. They do not taste like normal cookies, yet I love them. Give them a try.

Recipe Time

Crockpot Meatloaf
Servings 8

1 1/2 lb uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1 egg
1 c chopped onion(s)
4 slices whole wheat bread, torn into small pieces.
2 tsp mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c sugar-free ketchup
cooking spray

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Shape mixture into a ball and place in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Look, Another Recipe

Crockpot Chili Chicken

6 servings

¨ 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
¨ 15 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
¨ 8 oz jar salsa, or more to taste
¨ 4 oz can chopped green chilies
¨ optional shredded low-fat cheese
¨ low-fat sour cream

Arrange chicken, beans, salsa and chilies in crockpot. Cook until chicken is tender. Serve with cheese and sour cream.

Friday, February 20, 2009

1 Day at a time

Ok ladies lets face it losing weight is NOT easy. I am learning that what I put in my mouth ultimately is what will add to my hips. I have been doing a workout with Jillian everyday for 2 weeks. I feel better but am a little discouraged I have not quote "lost weight" Now a big plus is I was able to buy a Valentine's dress in a smaller size. So as i am being told sometimes we lose inches not fat as muscle weighs more than fat.
I for one am grateful for Lynnda in my life. I am actually atill working out a month later and consistency is a hard one for me.
Also If you need a wake-up call get your measurements. neck, knee, waist, hips, thighs..the whole thing. That will wake you up. Lynnda did those with me yesterday and besides 3 other ladies knowing my measurements I do feel better. I sort of feel like now I have to keep going because others know.
I made a better choice for dessert last night. Instead of those cookie my head wanted, I made my family and I fruit salads with yogurt and coolwhip topping. complaints? None. Infact hubby says it was better than ice cream and we did not feel weighed down and groggy like I usually do.
It was great!
I have shin splints and I am also weaning my 14 month old so pain is distributed evenly right now, But I am not giving up. I can see some defining in my uppper arms and my abs. It is a start.
Thanks ladies and remember don't blow it on un-healthy choices this weekend.I read this week it takes 500 less calories per day for a week to lose 1 lb of weight. So it does matter what we eat. We can do it, and together we can do it even better! Hope everyone is doing well.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I'm back

Hello All ~ I have returned from my trip to Colorado. I apologized for my sudden departure and hope that I can pick up where I left off. I am so happy to find you all still here. This trip was completely unplanned and I did not have dependable computer access which would allow me to post any comments. Though this trip was worth the visit w/ family & friends, it was a rude awakening. I am starting to 'fit in' w/ my otherwise FAT family! (No offense everyone). AND they all have joined WW together so next time I am there, I can not be the same size or bigger! This is my new motivation ~ my next visit, I will be smaller than they are!
I hope to get back on track w/ my weight loss plan AND as you can imagine, I was NOT on plan the entire 2 weeks I was gone. YES, I GAINED!!! A lot. I am now heavier than I was when we started. I have a long road ahead of me and hope to call upon you all for support. I am meeting w/ my nutritionist this Friday and when we spoke on the phone, she eluded to the idea of an all liquid regimen for an entire month and than on to only high protein suppliments. We shall see how it goes and I will keep you posted.
Wish me luck w/ my restart and know that I am so proud of all of you for your progress thus far.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

A New Recipe to Try

Mexican Lasagna
6-8 servings
¨ 1 1/2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
¨ salt and pepper to taste
¨ 1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
¨ 15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
¨ 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
¨ 27 ounces canned whole green chilies (drain and reserve 2
tablespoons canned juice)
¨ 2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
¨ 4 6-inch, low-carb tortillas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season the meat with a little salt and
pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Drain off the grease. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and enough water to make a paste. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the ricotta cheese, sour cream, reserved chili juice, Tabasco sauce, and 1/2 cup water. Spread a little of the mixture to cover the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Cover the sauce with a layer of tortillas, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle the meat mixture evenly over the entire base. Cover with a single layer of whole green chilies and pour the remaining sauce on top. Bake 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I made this tonight and it was yummy! My kids kept on asking for more.

Still Trying!

Hey everyone. About 4 weeks ago I decided I wanted to change. So here I am working out 6 times per week (this is my 2nd week of doing that) and really trying to make a difference for me. I still struggle with sweets, but I have no given up and I just keep trying everyday.
Your support means the world. I have a goal to lose 15 lbs total by May 12 when my oldest graduates. I am losing inches but not pounds.I guess you have to start somewhere.
Hope you all are doing well.

Tip of the Week

"There is a world of difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it."
Bill Phillips

Have your Cake and Eat it Too, without any Guilt!

HEALTHY CAKE IN A CUP

1 scoop of Protein powder
1/3 cup Oatmeal (ground or whole)
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Vanilla
2 TBS of Splenda (or sugar substitute)
1/2 cup Water (adjust so that you have a cake batter texture)
1 TBS cocoa powder or Peanut butter (optional)

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a 2-3 cup glass or ceramic container.
2. Microwave the mix for 2 minutes on high. The "cake" will climb the sides of the container, so you might want to put a plate underneath it.
3. Wait for the cake to cool and deflate to normal size. Ignore the lopsided look of the cake and dig in.

Top it off with Sugar-free maple syrup or Cream Cheese Topping

Cream Cheese Topping

1/3 cup Fat-free Cream Cheese
1 TBS Lemon juice
1 TBS Splenda (or sugar substitute)

Mix together.

This can be counted as a meal or a snack.