Goal

I started the South Beach Diet, and I have been doing REALLY good. I have been exercising and I'm feeling pretty good, except for my knees, but I think they will start feeling better soon.

My next goal is to.. Lose more weight... 8lbs seems pretty healthy, I think.

End of the Month Accountablility

OK, everyone...how did you do? Did you achieve your goal? Post and let us know so that we can all celebrate with you or encourage you.

Also, write in your goal for Feb.

For me, I lost 15lbs. My goal for Feb is 8lbs.

Don't make me feel I am writing to myself. This blog will only work if we all keep in touch.
Can't wait to hear from everyone.
We already know that Vicki lost 8"...any more?

Another Recipe To Try

I just made this today. Some people might not like it yet I love it.It is moist, yet does not taste like a normal brownie. It is cake like, so if you want a sweet dessert, try this one.

Black Bean Brownies

1 15 oz can of Unseasoned Black beans - drained and rinsed
4 Eggs
1 cup Splenda
3 TBS Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Powder
2 TBS Oil (olive oil is good)
1 TBS Vanilla
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 cup low-fat Cream Cheese
chopped nuts - optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend very, very well. Pour into an 8x8 baking pan sprayed with cooking spray or oiled with canola or olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes. (til toothpick pulls out clean)

Let me know what you think.

New Weekly Goal for Jan 26 - Feb 1st

Let's create a new weekly goal. Remember if we do not write these goals down and look at them often we will not fulfill them.

Who completed their goals for last week? I know I did not. I am having such a hard time motivating myself to exercise. The eating is going great...it is just the exercising. I am just too tired to do it. I have tried getting to bed early, yet when the kids go to bed, is the only time I have for ME and it is hard giving that up.

So, my weekly goal is to play Wii games with my kids every day. The games I am talking about are the active games, like wii fit, outdoor adventure, wii sports, etc.

What are your goals?

Recipe of the Week

Mock French Toast

Serving: 2

1 Egg
4 Egg Whites
1/4 cup Fat-free Ricotta Cheese (or part skim)
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Splenda
Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and pour like pancakes on a hot skillet.

Tip of the Week

"The greatest thing you have is the 24 hours in front of you.
The past is gone;
the future is distant.
Today you CAN succeed.
Set a goal you can achieve in the next 24 hours."

GOAL!!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I did in fact hit my goal (and then some) and have lost the 8 inches (overall) I set out to lose. Thank you all for the ongoing support especially during my many 'flops'! I cant wait to set the next goal and exceed it!! YEAH ME!
Victoria

SUPER SORE!!!

Okay so I did the body for Life recommended way to do an Upper Body Workout! And WOW can i feel it today!!!! Did my 20 minutes of cardio today. Didn't hit my HIGH but then again I was running around my house! LOL!! SO I might go to the gym in an hour or so to do my 20 minute deal again for "real"! LOL!!

Words of Encouragement

A friend sent this to me and it has really helped me through this really bad week!
Pay it forward...

"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. "~ Mary Pickford

If you have raw salt, raw garlic, extra virgin olive oil, apricot kernel oil & a few select herbs like fresh Cayenne you can avoid illness, accelerate wellness & or cure many diseases. If your little ones are febrile raw garlic steeped in & then diluted with warm steam distilled water works well to break a fever when installed in the colon with a clean ear syringe. I used this remedy to treat fevers many times while my children were growing up.

This weeks Goal Jan 19-25

My goal for this week is to choose healthier food when I get a craving or am just hungry. I worked out twice last week and walked once. Not exactally what I was shooting for but it was a start.
I have worked out 3 times to Jillians 30 day shred dvd and it is getting easier, but I am still out of shape and I can feel it.
My abs are starting to feel stronger, but I am also dealing with pushing through shin splints. Ouch!
I think Lynnda's idea to plan out meals is an awesome idea. I do plan out my meals but honestly on a budget sometimes it is cheaper to buy the fattening items for my family..so that can be a goal for me, to find healthier meals. Anyone who has meals to share for a family of 8..that would be great.
Hope everyone is doing good on their goals. I do not know that I have lost any weight yet but I am trying to make better decisions. Have a great week everyone.

This weeks Goal

Goals last Week

Vicki, did you get an average of 6 hours of sleep this week?

And Heather, did you find an alternative to sugar and gained more control over your portions?

Tip of the Week / Food for Thought

Caffeine has been implicated as a major contributing factor in liver damage, hypoglycemia, depleted adrenal function, cysts, breast and other cancers, headaches, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, nervous system damage, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, emotional irritability, and increased severity of pre-menstrual syndrome.

Recipe of the Week

Banana Loaf

1 cup oatmeal
2/3 cup nonfat powdered milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla
5 tsp splenda
8 egg whites
2 scoops protein powder
2 pureed bananas
2 Tbs chopped nuts (optional)

Makes 3 small loaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together and divide into 3 small loaf pans. Spray the pans with pam first. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes if pans are dark or non-stick. Bake for 30 minutes if glass. Enjoy warm or save for later.

These are great if you want a snack or even a meal on the go! I love having a bunch of these around.

Goals for the Week?

My goal is the same as last week since I did so terrible at it. So Walking Tue and Thurs and Oxycise Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat.

Let's post our goals. Whether they are the same or different. The only way we will really succeed is to have goals and write them down some where. I come on here at least twice a day and look at my goals beside seeing if anyone posted.

So, what is your goal/s for the week?

It was Good!!

Just wanted to let you know that I tried the
Chocolate Almond Ricotta Cheesecake
yesterday and boy is it good. I love being about to eat things that I know are healthy for you. Let me know if anyone else tries it and what they think.
Yum, Yum.

First Post

I have been meaning to post something for awhile now, and I am just now getting to it!
Things have been going well here- I just need to get my rear in gear! I have been walking every Tuesday and Thursay, except for last week- The weather was bad. I am excited for walking this week! I need to make it to the gym more than once a week. and I should probably start writing down what I eat for a few days to get an idea of what I am putting into my body. I need to make a lot of changes, and maybe writing those things down will help. So, Maybe that can be my goal, or making it to the gym two times this week rather than just one time! I hope everybody is succeeding with their goals! :D

Plan, Plan, Plan

Out of all my YEARS of watching my weight (get smaller and larger), I have found the best think that helps is planning your meals. When I plan, I stick with it compared to just going to the fridge and wondering what I am going to have for my meals and snacks. I plan for at least two weeks in advance. It seems like a headache at first yet in the long run it really does help. I am still in the process of getting my cookbook done for this purpose alone. On my calendar (I print one out) I have my three meals and two snacks for each day and then I shop and have the food in the house.
I can't stress it enough....you need to plan in order to succeed. We can all succeed!!

Not the best week.

Well---I haven't had the greatest week, just an OK week. I haven't lost any weight but I haven't gained any either. I didn't make it to WW which is a little discouraging. There is something about standing on a scale in front of a stranger & weighing in that keeps me on task. So my goal for this week is to make to WW. The registration is free right now, so that helps. I could use some encouragement----so any good word would help----THX not getting smaller--Joy

How is Everyone Doing?

The month is almost ended. How is everyone doing? Are you meeting your goals or do you need to kick it in high gear so that you can meet your goal?

Connie, how are you doing with the 5 lbs you want to loose?

Vicki, how about you? Are your clothes feeling different?

Lainee, how are you doing? 5lbs gone? I know you have at less 4lbs you can not fine.

Beth, Heather, Sara, MotherJoyof10, Karen... how is everyone doing?

Step on the scale or try on the tape measure and take a look at where you are. If you are serious about changing, then lets help each other and encourage each other. Let's check in every day and ask how everyone is doing. I know we are busy yet I think we all have time to check in at least once a day.
I would like to see all of us succeed. Have a wonderful night!

Contest!!

There is a contest here in the Valley. It is called "Trim to Win". It's starts Jan 24 and ends some time in April. The only thing you have to do is register and weigh - in. The one with the most % of weight loss wins. There will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. The first wins $3,000.00, second wins $2,000.00 and third (you guessed it) $1,000.00.
So, I joined!! I love contest and the reason I am telling you about this is for support. If you live here then you too can enter the contest and we can do this together. Those farther away I would love the support. I will have to work my butt off (literally). I have my menu pretty much planned out, I just need to get the exercises down.
I figure by doing this contest it is a win, win. Either I win the money and /or I loose weight. No matter what I win and am a healthier person for it.

So, who wants to join me???

My Progress So Far.

OK girls...I was going to wait until the end of the month to tell you how I have been doing. Yet I will tell you now. I have a lot of weight to loose so this small amount is just a drop in the bucket (I think I lost it in my pinky finger), yet I did loose 12 lbs as of today. I will be curious to see if I loose any more by the end of the month. I have already felt a difference. It was getting to the point, when I would walk down the stairs my right knee would pop with each step I took. Since loosing this small amount I do not have any more popping.

These are SSSOOOO GOOD!!!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Frozen Treat

2 frozen fat free sugar free fudge bars
1 TBSP fat-free sugar-free Cool Whip
1.5 TBSP natural peanut butter

Melt the bars in the microwave until soft but not runny (two bars about 30 seconds) Add Cool Whip and stir.Pour into 3 tiny dishes.Add chunks of peanut butter equally in each cup to create a Ben & Jerry texture.Refreeze at least 30 minutes.

Keeps in freezer if covered for 5 days.

A Wonderful Sweet Alternative

Chocolate Almond Ricotta Cheesecake

15 ounces of part skim ricotta cheese
4 whole eggs
1 cup of Splenda
/3 cup fat free half-and-half
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons almond extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place all ingredients in a food processor and allow to blend for about 5 minutes - this will allow the ingredients enough time to become very smooth - even the grainiest ricotta. Spray pan with Pam, being sure to spray the sides and bottom. Bake 30-45 minutes until set. I double the recipe and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes and use a medium spring form pan. Turn off oven and let sit in oven for 1 hour until it cools. Enjoy!

Exercise?! Work or Fun.

I was sitting on my couch yesterday talking with a friend, and we were discussing exercising. I have always exercised and am one of those kinds of people that thinks it's fun, most of the time. However lately I have been slacking on my exercises. I used to go everyday for an hour, but for the last two weeks I have taken a break.
My main goal in exercising lately has been to lose weight, but in light of my recent finidings I now know why I was not losing the weight. I worked on losing weight for about a year doing your normal diet and exercise. Nothing worked and I was killing myself each time I went to my exercise group. So on advice of my husband I took a break to re-group and re-focus.
I decide that it was not worth it to kill myself every time I exercise. I knew that if I did I would quit and I would definately not like myself if I quit. So I thought about it for a while and I have come to a conclusion.....I will not focus on exercise as a weight loss tool, rather I will focus on exercise as a source of enjoyment. I will go to have fun, and I am not going to have any expectations. I know that if I do this I will stick with it and it will benefit me far more than if I went and killed myself everytime.
So my new years resolution is not for weight loss or even for any kind of weight goal at all, but rather to focus on a new out look in regards to exercising. It's fun and it does not have to be a killer workout ALL of the time. I am shooting for a long term healthy life and not just a short term yo-yo wieght loss. I want to exercise all my life and if I enjoy it I will stick with it.
So in the future when you are exercising and wondering why you are doing this, maybe you should figure that out before you end up sitting on the couch! :)
Keeping a new mind,
Shinlian

January 14, 2009

Ok so this week so far is not going to great food wise. I am eatting to many sugary things that I am use to. For me if I eat a balanced meal I feel like I need a sweet item to. I am not sure why, and I know I need to get this out of my head, but it is hard when I have been eatting this way for awhile. I know the key is to get those kinds of food out of the house in the first place but I have several kids and taking everything away is just not fair to them.
Still I am not giving up, dicouraged but not down.
My goal for this week of Jan 12-18 is to find healthier alternatives to the sweets I am use to. I also would like to work on my portion control.
Thanks for everyones comments and insights. As soon as I can I am going to download a pic of myself so I can fit in.
Have a great week. Heather

Oxygen

"Deep breathing techniques which increase oxygen to the cell are the most important factors in living a disease free and energetic life. . . . Remember. Where cells get enough oxygen, cancer will not, cannot occur."

- Dr. Otto Warburg, President, Institute of Cell Physiology , Nobel Prize Winner (Dr. Warburg is the only person to ever win the Nobel Prize twice in medicine and he was nominated for a third.)

Vegetable Quiche Bars

Serving: 6

1lb pk Broccoli, chopped (defrosted or steamed)
1/4 cup Red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup Onion, chopped
4 Eggs
3/4 cup Low-fat Cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together all of ingredients. Pour mixture into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with olive oil. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Allow to cool. Slice into 6 bars.


We had this for breakfast this morning and it was really yummy. Kids loved it so I thought I would share.

Rewards

Okay, so I am new to this whole blogging thing, but I am not new to losing weight! Most of us have had experience in that department! Mostly my experience comes from having children and you know how that baby weight can be very stubborn!
So since having kids, I have recently found out that I have a thyroid deficiency, and the only reason why I brought that up was because of something I have learned from this problem (soon to be corrected I might add! :) ). I have learned that if your thyroid is off, then all of your hormones are off, which consequently can lead to weight gain, or in some cases people can not put on the weight (wish I had that problem!!). I have also learned that 2/3's of thyroid deficiencies can be fixed by taking vitamins! That is right, vitamins! People who are Vit. D deficient or Iodine deficient probally are over working their thyroid which leads to a problem with.....you guessed it, weight! Some of the symptoms are low energy, swollen eyes and face, constipation, afternoon fatigue, low labido, trouble losing weight, etc. So if you have some or all of these symptoms I suggest you go see a thyroid SPECIALIST. You can go to your normal MD, but they only test for a certain range that you are in, the specialist test for specific ranges and they test for vit. deficiencies.
Also in my journey of finding out all of this my friend has taught me to take time for myself and so for Christmas my hubby gave me stocking stuffer cash! I used it for a highly recommended body wrap. Now at first I was sceptical, but when I went and was finished I loved it!! There are three things a body wrap does for you (there are many kinds of wraps, but the lady I went to does the seaweed body wrap) the first thing it does is release and remove toxins from deep in the muscle tissue. The second thing it does is lift and tighten your skin. It helps the elasticity in your skin begin to tighten causing you to lose inches and, yes, it does lift!! The third thing it does for you is to deeply moisturize your skin. There was one other thing it did for me, because it was a seaweed wrap it saturated my thyroid with iodine, because seaweed is full of iodine. The side effects of a body wrap are a trimmer, slimmer, moisturized you. It also gives you tons of energy. The first night (same day I had a body wrap) I went to bed at my normal hour and I was WIDE awake at 2 am. I had a ton of energy the next day as well. I felt fantastic!
So my suggestion for you ladies, and men who are working to lose weight is.....every ten pounds (suggested by my friend who does body wraps) you lose you should get a body wrap! It will help your skin go back to where it came from! In the end of your journey you won't have that saggy skin that comes from losing a lot of weight.
Well I hope you found this blog to be informative and interesting. Don't forget it's important to treat and take care of yourself. Oh by the way, if you save that money you would have spent on junk food and eating out, it will more than pay for the body wrap!
Keeping a new mind,
Shinlian

Tip of the Week

Change takes place one step at a time.

This is what we are doing here. We are making a weekly goal and changing little by little, before you know it, you will have a "new" you. Keep taking the baby steps. It is when we stop that we fall, so don't look around at others and see what kind of steps they are taking. It doesn't matter, as long as you are inching forward, that is all that matters. Keep up the good work and don't forget to post your goal for the week.

Recipe of the Week

Stuffed Mexican Pie

Servings: 6

¨ 2 lbs. ground meat, cooked & drained (use ground sirloin,
or ground white meat turkey or a combination of any two.
¨ 1/2 cup chopped onions
¨ 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
¨ 2 teaspoons chili powder
¨ 8 oz. shredded low fat cheddar cheese
¨ 8 oz. can tomato sauce
¨ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
¨ 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon low fat sour cream
¨ 1 egg white, beaten stiff

Place meat, onion, pepper, sauce, garlic & chili powder in skillet. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes. Spray 8x8 pan with Pam (or grease). Put meat mixture in pan. Beat together cheese, sour cream and egg white and put on top of meat mixture. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes

The whole family loves this one. I never have any leftovers. This is an all protein recipe. Eat it with some veggies or if you would like carbs add a whole wheat roll. Enjoy! We are having this tomorrow for dinner. Can't wait!

Week Goals

How did everyone do for this past week on their goals? Did you accomplish it? Have a down fall yet got back up? What? Let us all know.

I did well on my water intake. I have been cold for the last couple of days and I don't like to drink cold water so I need to make sure I have room temp water. So often I don't feel thirsty yet I make myself drink and once I start then I notice I was thirsty.

What is your goal for this week, Jan 12 - 18th?

Mine will be going to bed by 1:30a.m., and walking twice a week (Tues & Thurs) and on the off days of walking doing Oxycise the other days. What is your new goal?

Don't forget to keep doing this past week's goal. You women are doing great! Keep us posted!

This is the Best Diet Ever!! It Does Work!!

'The Pasta Diet'

The Pasta Diet and Your Health
ITALIAN PASTA DIET -- IT REALLY WORKS !!


1.. You walk pasta da bakery.
2... You walka pasta da candy store.
3.. You walka pasta da Ice Cream shop.
4.. You walka pasta da table and fridge.

You will lose weight!

A Start

Hey everyone. How is your weekend going? I started working out lastnight. I used the Biggest Loser dvd. I have to start out on low entensity but I go t all the way through the workout and cooldown so that was a plus. It is hard starting after not working out for so long but I have decided I am tierd of being over weight. I say having 6 kids has come at a price as I have seemed to keep 15 lbs from each pregnancy, but the truth is it starts and ends with diet and excercise.
My husband came home last night and announced he has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. he has 6 months to get under control or he will be on meds. Scary! Let me tell you. If anything it makes me more determined to beat obesity. Easy? No way but well worth the effort. When I do workout I feel good. For me it is just finding the time. I finally just had to sneak downstairs and let my youngest cry with dad. I did have a little helper. She was right there with me until the lunges, then she took off and said she was done. She is 4.
My goal for this week is to over come my sudden impulses for sugar or salty treats, walk Tues and Thurs. and do my dvd work out at least twice.
I have looked into weight fads such as 03 World, Arbonne, and Isagenix. I did in 2006 do Isagenix cleanse and lost 13 lbs but gained it back. Has anyone had any sucess with this or something else?

What did you eat tonight?

Eilish was cooking (she had a coupon)and made "burnt" (chocolate chip) pancakes and eggs so I had Flax seed pancake and two eggs. I am full! I need to listen to my body as I probably could of only ate 1/2 and been fine. My meal was all protein. Now to finish off my water.

What did YOU have?

Question of the Week

What do you do when you are tempted to eat something and are not hungery? Let's hear from all of you.

Welcome

Hey, let's welcome all the "newbies" to the group...that means everyone Welcomes each other as we are all newbies. Start piping up. If you have any worrys, problems, concerns, did something wonderful, had a break through, have something to share, etc. This will only work if we all contribute to this blog. We might all do things differently and we need to respect each other, yet we have a least one common thread, and that is wanting "A New Mind, A New Body". So let's start posting! :>)

New to the Blog.

Hello. I am new also. I am starting to realize hiding behind baggy clothes is not working anymore. I really want to lose a good amount of weight but as a smaller more reasonable goal I am aiming for 5 lb by months end. As a reward I am going to buy myself dance dance revolution on Wii. I do not have tons of time to work out but am going ot try to at least walk twice a week, and work on my abs 2 times a week to start out.
I have always been into aerobics and have quite a few videos to workout to..including the Biggest Loser. I plan to use them with my oldest child as my partner.
My biggest problem is I like sweet and salty foods and can sometimes let my emotions determin what goes in my mouth. I am excited to be a part of this blog. Thank you Lynnda for the invite.
Heather

Hi Everyone!

NEW to this blog! Thank you Lynnda for keeping everyone motivated!!! SO my short term goal is 5 pounds for January! AND to go to the gym 3 times a week! As a reward I'm going to finally get my hair cut and Mike is going to Dye it for me!

Jan 6th - How Did Everyone Do Today?

I am seeing that not everyone is checking in each day and letting us cheer or support. It helps a lot if we are accountable not only to ourselves, but to each other. Please check this blog at least once a day and let us know how you are doing.

For me...I went walking for 1 hour. I haven't done that in such a long time. Tonight I am sore!!! I drank all my water and contiune to watch what I eat. I am noticing a difference already. More energy. Can bounce up our stairs without being winded. Mind you I still have tons...ok not tons, but about 100 lbs still to loose. I know I am loosing yet I also need to change my mindset. I have found in the past. The more I read about food, the pros and cons, the more I ate better and made better choices. Just like my boys. They read the book "Chew on This", (good book to read, I highly recommend it)and because of that book they WILL NOT eat at McDonalds.

MY (remember this is my view) feelings on food is this...We came down to earth to be tested (besides other things), Satan wants to steer us away from the gospel. He will tempt us and try to have us do wrong, have guilt, etc. He know us so well and can use this against us. I truly feel one of his best methods of temptation is food. He knows if we eat process, fried, fatty, on and on and on, foods that our bodies will slowly break down, get sick, become diseased, etc. How often, because of what we ate, do we feel tired, ran down, low self-esteem, put on weight, etc and because of this, how often do we not say our prayers, read our scriptures, treat ourselves or others with kindness and patience, etc? If I had the job of turning people from the truth...this is one sure way I would do it. Get people hooked on junk, fast, processed foods and keep their bodies polluted (without them really knowing it). I truly feel that this is why we have the Word of Wisdom (more on this later).
Just my thoughts:>)

Mini Goals - make sure this is done.

For those of you who are new...we pick a mini goal for the end of Jan and a reward....hint... it can be a tangible one, mental, spiritual,etc. It doesn't matter what kind as long as it is a reward of some kind.
So far,

.............................MINI............Reward

Lynnda.............. Loose 8 lbs ........................Haircut
Connie............... Loose 5 lbs ...............(need reward added)
Vicki.................. Loose 8" all around........ Pedicure
Lainee.........
Beth...................Loose 5 lbs........................Manicure
Karen..........

Beth Jones

Hey all - Beth wanted me to post her before picture as she is not set up yet w/ gmail to post on our blog. (she promises she is working on it though)... She will be joining us as soon as she is set and comment on her goals, and rewards when she is.

Tip of the Week

We should learn from the past, including mistakes, poor choices, and triumphs.
I really like this saying. So often we beat ourselves up for our failures yet we need to learn from our mistakes and move on to bigger (in our case, smaller) and better things. This is what Thomas Edison did, after 10,000 failures with the light bulb. Thank goodness he never gave up.

Recipe of the Week

FLAX SEED MEAL PANCAKE

Serving: 1 (2 big pancakes)

2 Eggs
3 TBS ground Flax seed
1 TBS Psyllium Husks
1/8 tsp Salt
2 pks Splenda (or your sugar preference)
1 tsp Baking powder
Dash Vanilla

Stir all together until combined, let sit a couple of minutes to thicken, add a couple tsps of water if you think it's too thick. Pour into sprayed skillet and brown on both sides. Serve with sugar-free maple syrup.

The family loves these and you are getting all protein in this one, so if you want some good carbs add a piece of fruit.

Change of Dates

I decided that I would move the Tip and Recipe of the Week to Monday as then, we have all week to ponder on. Also, our weekly goal will be made on Mondays (hint,hint...then we have ALL week to work on it). So for our goal this week, let's keep the goal we made Friday, but start thinking about your goal for next week.

How Did Everyone Do?

How did you all do yesterday and today? Today I drank all my water and watched what I ate. I did not get any exercising in as today was day two of my three day headache! Tomorrow I will be walking though. Pipe up and let us cheer for you or give you some encouragement...either way. Keep up the good work!

What do I want to change and why?

Hi All, I would like to be within my normal weight range I am 30 lbs above that at this moment in time. I think feeling good with the lights on during a romantic interlude with your hubby is a very significant reason for losing weight. It is near the top of my list of reasons for losing. I would also like to fit into all of my clothes not just some of them and I would like to feel sexy all of the time, not just when I stand just so in front of the mirror. I love to hike with my husband and the extra 30 lbs I am toting around make it difficult to keep up with him. I sleep so much better when I am eating right and exercising regularly. Good Health , Good Sex and Good Body Image are my main reasons for wanting to lose weight

Here is my before picture~

This is my heaviest EVER! I haven't even been this heavy when I was 40 weeks prego ... Just as a tip - I enlarged and printed this pic and it is taped securely to the front of my fridge! LOL - it has surely helped this last few days that my body had been going through 'withdrawl' (detox)!! AND its the most perfect pose ever~ thats the money shot right there!!

Short Term Weight Goal

My short term goal is to loose at least 8lbs by the end of Jan. When I do this I will go get my hair cut and styled (as it realllllyyyy needs it).
Log in and post what your short term weight goal is.

How Did Everyone Do?

So, how did everyone do yesterday? I drank all my water yet I didn't get in any activity. I did notice that my urine was clear, so that was good. I am committing to playing 4 games of Tennis (wii) today...my arm will be sore tomorrow as I haven't played for so long.
Log in and post how you did.

Time to Post a Before Picture

OK. You don't know how hard this is for me. I HATE pictures when I am this way. Eilish took this (after she did my hair) and I was going to delete it,yet never got around to doing so. I did step on the scale and I am at my top weight I was two years ago (at least I didn't gain more, right:>). Maybe once a month we should have our pictures taken and posted here. I have found, you might not think your body is changing, yet so often "outsiders" will be able to see that change.

Water Intake!

How much water should I be drinking? One of the best ways to know is to look at your urine...yes, I know, who wants to look at their pee! You do as so do I. Your urine should be from a pale yellow to almost clear. This is how you can tell you have had enough water to drink.
Also, remember, the best time to drink (water) is before or after a meal. If you drink during you are watering down your stomach acid and it will take longer to break up a meal.
What are some interesting facts you know about water?

Question of the Week

I was thinking that we need to have a Question of the Week, something we can ponder on for the whole week.

First question:

What do I want to change and why?

We need to be very honest here. Let's post our answers and remember we are all here to support each other. My answer is in my first post.

Recipe of the Week

Crustless Chedder Broccoli Quiche

Servings: 6

1 tsp Olive oil
1/4 cup Onion, finely chopped
1 pk (10 ozs) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained
8 Eggs
1/2 cup Low fat Cottage cheese
1/2 cup Reduced fat Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/8 tsp Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees:

Heat oil in small nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions, cook 5 minutes or until onions are tender, stirring occasionally. Add broccoli, mix well. Spoon into 9" pie plate, sprayed with cooking spray.
Mix remaining ingredients until well blended, pour over broccoli layer. Bake 45 - 50 minutes or until center is set and top is golden brown.


This is a very yummy recipe. Kids love it. This here is pure protein, no carbs. With protein you can eat as much as you want...until you are full. Enjoy!

Tip of the Week

"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas."

This is so true. Let's live by this.

Why do I want to loose weight?

How many times have we wanted to loose weight for the wrong reason, only to regain it back? I decided before I start loosing weight I need to look at why I am doing this. I have been on that "yo yo cycle" for so long. It is once and for all time to end. I thought two years ago I accomplished that, yet after I moved I slacked off my food and exercising and regained all of it back. I am so mad at myself and know I have no one to blame but myself. I let myself go thinking...these people don't know me, they don't care what size I am. I think about my old ward and I had so many people watching me and wondered what I was doing. It is even now that I am embarrassed to see this friends from my old ward. I don't want them to see me as a human being who has faults and make mistakes. I remember being told as a child that I was fat. I look at pictures from back then and I wasn't fat at all. I had a lovely body with a wonderful figure, yet those words stayed with me though out all these years and I became that "fat" person.

Well I am not that "fat" person. When I think of myself I feel thin and beautiful yet I look in the mirror and wonder who is that person staring back at me?

I love food and this is another reason I am overweight, well I am here to tell you that I am sick of food. Nothing really looks good or taste good. Food is a big waste of time (I know we need it). There is so many important things I can do besides eat. I am hoping I am at a place in my life where I eat to live and not live to eat.

I am tired of feeling fat. Of not being able to tie my shoes, go up and down the stairs without being out of breath, having problems getting in and out of cars, up and down from chairs, couches,etc. Not being able to wear cute clothes. I have a picture of me two years ago. I was about 15 lbs from my goal and I love the way I was looking. Still I had the belly yet I will take that belly over this one any day.

I am going to take small steps and work on those until they become a habit. I want a new body. One for me and no one else, not friends, or even strangers (wondering what they think of me), not one for my kids or husband. I need to do this for me, for my health, self-esteem, etc. I hope I can have a new body and a new mind, yet I know I will have to work on it. I am doing this blog to hopefully gain support and if you want a new mind and/or body I will be here for you. I was going to log in my weight once a week, yet I don't care what weight I am at. I will do the things I know are right for taking care of my body and judge my clothes and how they fit and how I feel. I will not be a slave to the scale!!

My small baby steps are to:

Drink 32ozs of water each day. I will be cleansing out my body from all the junk I have eaten these last few months.