Week 8 Weigh In Results/ Progress Pics/ Negative Energy

Week 8 Weigh In Results: I Made Goal Baby!!!

I lost 0.8 lbs on my final weigh in of February for a total of 17.3 lbs since Jan.2!!!!  My goal was 16 lbs and I worked my butt off for every bit of it.  This is somewhat of a milestone for me because 20 lbs is the most I have ever lost on Weight Watchers on my own.  Also, I lost that 20 lbs in 12 weeks and it seems I will reach that goal within the next two weeks (Week 9 or 10).  I am 12 lbs away from Onederland, the magical place you enter when you finally break the 200 lb mark and enter the 100's.  I haven't seen those kind of numbers in over ten years.  Let me just say, I will feel skinny at 199!!!! 

So without further ado, I will show you my progress pics for February!

Progress Pics: February 2012 





I'm beginning to see small changes.  I'm hoping the end of March will be
significant though.



  

Not quite 9 months anymore :)

Negative Energy: Keep it Moving!

I have really been struggling lately with this issue, so for Lent I've given up television and negative energy.  Let me just say a word about negative talk.  I truly believe that people are in your life for a reason and a season.  There are a select few that are in your life for the duration, but others are there simply to help you get through new and different life experiences.

But as one of my favorite songs says, "If you ain't making me better, than you just bringing me down."  When that relationship is draining your spirit or as my mom says, "stealing the "o" out of joy, then it is time to move that relationship to the section of your mind that is reserved for "small doses of foolishness"!  Not saying that they are bad people, I mean, that was your homie.  But your time is a terrible thing to waste.  It is hard enough trying to stay motivated enough to lose this weight.  Please keep it moving!

Week 7 Weigh In Results/ Reason To Walk/ Detoxing Discoveries #2

Week 7 Weigh In Results: Water Weight Be Gone

 Friday I weighed in and lost 1.4 lbs.  I was expecting the usual 4-5 lbs every other week, but it looks like I am officially out of the water weight period.  Now it will be the slow process (I was expecting) of 1-2 pounds a week.  I will need to fight for each pound because fat loss is much harder to achieve.  This will require more cardio, weight lifting and resistance training and continuing my daily dose of 14 cups of water a day.  I now walk 30 minutes at lunch and 40-45 minutes after work.  I still line dance on Saturday mornings, but I will add another class Saturday afternoon as well. 

(via healthyisclassy)

 Like Diddy said, "Can't stop, won't stop", till I reach my goal.

Reason To Walk: Finding A Purpose

Yesterday, DivaSlimDown posted a new video where she announced she was entering a walk called Family Matters to support programs in her old neighborhood.  She will walk 5 miles in her hometown in Chicago on May 19th in order to raise money for teens to cover after school tutoring and health and nutrition programs.  This cause is near and dear to her because these programs were not available when she was a teen.  



The end of the journey for many in Ghana.



I wanted to honor DSD for being an inspiration to her followers and now to her entire community.  I will not only donate to her cause, but also walk 5 miles on or near May 19th.  I do much better during my workouts when I am working toward something, so I did some research on walk/runs in Virginia and found Walk for Water in Africa 5K out of Fairfax, VA.  Last year they raised $10,000 to build a well in Ghana.  That country is where my second family lives and is dear to my heart.  When I visited, I was fortunate enough to get my own water from a well inside of our host's compound.  Unfortunately, many families can't afford this luxury and the women and young school age girls are responsible for walking miles each day to collect water for their families.  

 

Me fetching water for Tony and I.  This was harder than it looks, but it was a luxury.



There is currently no new information on the 2012 Walk, but I have reached out to the organizers to see when and if there will be one this year.  If so, I will walk 5 miles for water so some families in Ghana don't have to.

Week 6 Weigh In Results/ The Sweet Tooth Files/ Dream Interpretations

Week 6 Weigh In Results: This Road Has Bumps

I went into this weigh in feeling nervous because it is my slow week and I usually lose 1/2-1lb, then 4-5 the next week. Well, I gained 0.8 lbs.  =(  I was disappointed because I didn't want to experience a gain during my journey, but so is life.  This week had some challenges.  It was my T.O.M and I experienced new cravings, crazy dreams, my computer died, all the while trying to acheive my new daily goals.  Let me just say that by Friday evening my body shut down and called TIME OUT!  I drank some Thera Flu and called it a night at 7:30 pm and did not open my eyes until 7:30 Saturday morning. 

I did get some good news from my diabetes doctor.  My blood pressure is perfect, my weight loss was outstanding and if my blood sugar stays this controlled, my three month average (A1C) should be back to normal.  Next week's plan- I am going to keep my WW points tight and I've added some new recipes to the menu: Lasagna Cupcakes, Chicken Teriyaki w/ stir fry veggies, and Fish Tacos.  I'll let you know how that goes.

I Think I CAN! / Office Sabotage / FITT

I Think I CAN!: Get A Sponsor

1. 14 cups of water 2. Workout 3. In bed by 11pm

I created three daily goals for better health.  These goals must be SMART.  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.  I cannot tell you how good it feels to achieve a goal you set for yourself, on a daily basis!  Each day I wake up feeling like someone is yelling "Ready, Set, Go!!"  And I love a challenge.
My goals are Mon-Fri to drink 14 cups of water a day, be in bed by 11pm, and workout.  If I accomplish one of the three, I put $1 into my goal can.  If I accomplish all three, I put $2 into the can.  At a possible $10 a week, I could have about $470 by the end of the year.
Light bulbs are flashing in my head.  While having to explain why I have a can full of dollars bills may be awkward, I'm going to ask some loved ones to sponsor my efforts by matching or contributing to my earnings in December.  My mom didn't laugh when I mentioned it to her so there is hope.  I see a wedding dress in my future! 


Office Sabotage: Never Ending Potlucks

Do we really need to celebrate St. Patty's day with green donuts?  Why are there Valentine's cupcakes in the break room on Feb 7th?  Every time I turn around, there are goodies on the counter.  I just want to make a b-line to the bathroom without smelling the danishes from this morning's meeting. 
We literally have a potluck about once a month.  There is no need to have a reason, we just like to eat.  I think we had a "I Know You Just Started Your Diet" potluck the other day.  I have no real issues with a celebration, and at work, you don't have time to do anything else but grab a plate and party at your desk.  I am still learning how to navigate my way through the long table of temptation, but so far it goes like this:

1. Make a healthy version of my favorite party food to bring
2. Look over the whole table first, and pick out the "safe foods" I can fill up on
3. Pick one splurge that I MUST have or I'll die (LOL)
4. Pick a non-caloric beverage so I don't waste valuable points (calories)
5. No seconds

Whatever I do, I always participate.  Nothing is worse than separating yourself from what is the normal culture in your office.   Everyone asks what's wrong and your "diet" sounds more like a punishment.  Make eating healthy a lifestyle change and you can be the life of every office party!

Chicken or the Egg?/ Lent 2012/ Get Your Mind Right!

Chicken or the Egg: Solving My Protein Dilemma

Now that I'm actively taking control of my diabetes, I noticed my blood sugars are extremely high in the morning after breakfast.  So despite not being a morning person, I'm actually very sweet! =)  Skim milk and whole grain cereal are great for weight loss, but damaging to diabetics.  So what can I eat that is high in protein and low in carbs that will not raise my sugar?

Each article I find says make an omelet or boil some eggs.  This sounds great, but what do I do if I don't like eggs?  One of my YouTube homies gave a demonstration on chicken quesadillas I wanted to try, and JHud mentioned in her book that she eats chicken fajitas for breakfast.  I also picked up a Natural Awakenings journal from the store and one article on Eat Breakfast to Shed Pounds read,

"A healthy breakfast, especially one high in protein, increases satiety and reduces hunger throughout the day, making it a valuable strategy to control appetite and regulate food intake... Eating protein-rich breakfast works to reduce the brain signals controlling food motivation and reward-driven eating behavior."

 Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding! CONFIRMATION!  

I made these bad boys Saturday morning before dance class to see how much work it would take to make in the mornings.  They were super easy!  Awesome does not describe how good these were.  Here is my low carb, high protein version:

Chicken Quesadillas

1.5 oz Southwest flavored chicken strips (slice them into smaller chunks to expand)

1 slice low sodium turkey bacon (chicken strips have more than enough sodium)

2 tbsp Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies

1 oz Mexican or taco style shredded cheese

1 tbsp olive oil

1 low carb, whole wheat tortilla                  

In a sauce pan, add olive oil and fry the turkey bacon.  Once done, place on cutting board and slice into strips.

Add chicken strips to pan and add the bacon strips to blend until chicken is warm and well coated with turkey bacon "grease".

Add Rotel and stir until blended.

On tortilla,  spread the cheese onto the top half of the shell.

Spoon the chicken mixture over the cheese. 

Fold the bottom half over and bake in toaster oven at 350 degrees until toasted.

Slice into 3 triangles with pizza cutter and serve.

***They are spicy and very filling.  My blood sugar was below normal an hour after this meal and it's only 7 points plus on Weight Watchers plan!!!  I have pre-made the chicken mixture and placed them in 1/2 cp containers so I can make these up quickly every morning!

I file this under: WINNING!!!

Lent 2012

Last year I joined my mom and her church as they fasted for Lent.  From Webster's Dictionary, in the Christian religion Lent is an annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting 40 weekdays to Easter.  People observe it in different ways and besides fasting from food, as I did last year, you can use the time to abstain from any negative habit or behavior.  

Since I'm on Weight Watchers and cannot fast from food, I have decided to abstain from television.  Now let me just say, that this may be harder than restricting certain foods.  I do, however, have the faith that I will not even miss TV.  I am excited about it because I can't wait to have more time to get things done in the evenings.  I also have a mini goal of getting to bed by 11pm this month and this will be no problem with no TV to distract me.  

I will miss The Young and the Restless and Nicholas Newman.  I will miss The Today Show, but I will be taping my weekly shows.  I can't go too long without The Game and TI and Tiny-LOL.

Spring Cleaning/ I Believe I Can Run!/ Scout's Honor

Spring Cleaning: Out With The Old...

We have been experiencing unseasonably warm weather.  70 degrees in February?  All this sun has got a girl ready to clean out the closet and get rid of these "fat" clothes.  I asked my mom if I should give away my fall and winter clothes instead of packing them back up in the attic as usual.  She gave me the side eye O_o.  I agreed that it was a crazy idea and came to my senses.  Why give them away when there is a possibility I will fail at weight loss like I do every year?  Crazy right?

But, then I thought about it.  Doesn't that mean I am doubting myself?  Am I not showing that I have faith that I will finally achieve my goal this time? 

To not look back and keep pressing forward means more than just dropping pounds consistently.  It also means I will not allow my mind to go back to negative talk, doubt, and fear.  Everyday that I have kept this commitment to myself I have become stronger and better.  Therefore I absolutely can't wait to pack those boxes and head to Goodwill!!

Last Chance Workout: I Believe I Can Run!!!

Today we had to get it in one last time before tomorrow's weigh in.  The first official weigh in of my 2nd Biggest Loser contest, and the 5th weigh in for the 1st BL contest.  After our five minute warmup, gym buddy #1 and I decided to run for as long as we could without stopping.  Minute one: I realized I'm not tired yet.  Minute two: still not falling out.  Minute three: I think I'm going into shock.  Is anybody watching this?  Minute four: I started calling His name.  Minute five: SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!  I just ran five minutes straight and nobody was chasing me!  I remembered I wasn't in there by myself and calmed down.  Plus I needed to recoup and prepare for my next five minutes.  What?

Yes, I wanted more!  I ran two sets of five tonight and tried for a third but only made it two minutes.  The lungs gave out before my legs did though.  All my hard work in January has brought me to this moment.  I can't wait till next week, it's on!

Emotional Eating/ Transformation Expo 2012

Emotional Eating: A True Story

It has been one month since I stopped living to eat.  I am not ashamed to tell my truth, because I'm sure I'm not alone.  I remember the first time I began binge eating.  I was 19 years old, coming off of a bad breakup and the death of my beloved grandfather.  I really thought I was handling the aftermath well, but I was using food to comfort me.  After the initial shock, I stopped crying and ate.  I would eat a whole small pizza, and as many Krispy Kremes they could fit in a bag.  See, I had to be able to dispose of the evidence easily and quickly before I got home.  No one knew about my habit, but the scale doesn't lie.  From that point on, I healed all my wounds with food.  I lived my entire adult life obese.

As unhappy as I was with myself, I couldn't stop.  Before work, I would stop by Hardees and order 2 cinnamon raisin biscuits and a country ham biscuit.  I would eat the 2 cinnamon biscuits on the way to the building so no one would comment on how much the fat girl was eating.  That was about 1000 calories before 9am.  For lunch I would get either Chinese, a small pizza, ribs, steak, or burgers and fries and a soda.  That's another 1000+ calories.   After work I would stop by Popeye's or Taco Bell and eat in the parking lot.  When I got home I would pretend I hadn't eaten yet and eat the dinner that was prepared for me.  I'm not done yet.  When everyone was asleep, I would eat a big bowl of cereal.  I hid packages of Twinkies or cookies on the side of my dresser so no one could see from the doorway.  I was taking in over 2500 calories a day and I was never hungry, just starving.  Starving for something food could never fill.  

I heard that losing weight is 80% mind and 20% diet and exercise.  I don't know if that is a fact, but I really believe it.  I used to go to bed excited about waking up to eat breakfast.  I began work excited about what choice I'd make for lunch.  I could not drive past Arby's at night without stopping for mozzarella sticks.  Changing my mindset from that to following a structured diet like Weight Watchers is a test of my strength.  

Someone asked me where do I get my will power.  I told them I don't have will power.  I got faith.  A line from my new favorite song "Breaking of Day" says, "I may not be able to see it.  But in my heart, I'm just crazy enough to believe."  I had to give this thing over to God because it had a hold on me that I was not able to break by myself.  I have faith in Him, not me.  He will do His part and I will do mine.  I owe this peace to Him.