Jump Start on the New Year

As I sit here and look at the calendar I see how quickly 2009 has gone by. I also think of the many friends and family that swore to me they would get their act together and get fit and healthy in 2009 and never started or gave it up quick. Well the only thing I can say is start again! It's never too late! But this post is dedicated to my cousin Alicia Cross McDonald aka Sixfeet&sexy who asked me back in January of 2009 to give her some weight loss tips and asked me about the gym I went to and joined immediately. That's all it took and in a few short months she shed 70 pounds and has never looked back. Dare I say her new healthy and fit lifestyle has even brought us closer and I am forever grateful! She will be a wonderful example for young son and I know she has inspired many people around her. So much so that she is doing it national now by being featured in the January 2010 issue of Essence magazine (on your news stands now)in their fit&fab section and that she truly is!

So make your New Year's resolution now, here on December 30, 2009. I will continue to be here to push you all because you all push me and hold me accountable and that's a great thing. See you in 2010 slimmer, fitter and healthier! Let's get thin in 2010!

Snowed in!

I am an on-the-go person it literally kills me to stay still. So now that I'm in the house because its about 2 feet of snow outside my window I made the most of it with a great work out today and getting ready to do a part II. Why not? Summer will be here before you can blink because as soon as Christmas is gone it's on! Snow shoveling is great for the abs and the arms too. Hiking in this stuff will get those quads burning too! Can't wait to get out in it tomorrow!

Did you hear about Jared?

It seems the Subway guy Jared has gained a little weight. This apparently is news worthy since I heard it on the radio the other day and the deejay said Jared looks like he has been stopping in Burger King instead of Subway. Okay this guy has had his weight off like 10 years. Nonetheless, it's the nature of the world we live in when people crave failure. Keeping weight off is more difficult than losing it. Stay focused and make a plan. If you are just beginning to lose weight or if you have reached your goal with your weight loss what is your next step? I tell people all the time you must make the lifestyle change you cannot go back to your old eating habits or sedentary lifestyle and not expect to gain weight. There is good news though. Once you really change your lifestyle for the better you get used to it and you enjoy it. It's no longer a chore. When you are craving something bad to eat sure indulge a little so you don't feel deprived but don't give in to that temptation every time because you may have cravings several times a day and giving in each time will surely show on the scale. Try to focus on something else, drink some tea or water and praise yourself for your hard work if it's day 1 or day 100!!

Holiday Time

The holidays are just around the corner and this can be a time when all the healthy eating habits go out the window! Make a conscious effort to get moving now, to start planning meals now, to avoid the drive-thru and have one small plate on Thanksgiving. I can't tell you how many times I have heard in the last week "Oh I am going to start eating right after Thanksgiving." Why wait until then? Make today the day and stay focused! Do anything you can to find the strength to see it through! If it takes finding a buddy that is on the same page, subscribing to a new fitness magazine, going for a walk daily or something that inspires you to be committed to a healthier lifestyle! We all fall into slumps but don't let your MO-JO slip away completely! Personally I am getting a little bored at the gym but lucky for me every time I feel I am slipping into boredom I recreate my experience in some kind of way. I have challenged my cousin to do back to back spin classes with me on this Saturday and we are amped! I can't wait! This is something new for me to look forward to! By no means am I doing two classes every Saturday but I do plan to mix it up as much as I can. Anyone want to join us, let me know!

The Dynamic Duo

Hard work pays off! I would like to share with all of you that one of my followers, my cousin also know as Six feet & Sexy (Alicia Cross McDonald) will be featured in the January issue of Essence magazine for her stunning results after losing 70 pounds and devoting her life to being healthy and fit. I am so proud of her! She works out hard and encourages everyone around her to take that leap of faith to turn their life around to be healthy not only for themselves but for the people they love. That's what it's all about. She is also my devoted work out partner at the gym. When we can we love working out together and get excited like kids at Christmas when new equipment arrives at the gym. We also have to make our 8:30 am Saturday morning spin class no matter how long we are out on a Friday night! If we are in town we are there or find a way to get into another. Nonetheless, between the two of us we have lost a whole person! We have each lost 70 pounds and continue to keep the weight off and maintain our healthy and fit lifestyle all while being a Mother, working full-time and having a life with family and friends and other interests. Get on board share the word, you too can be like the dynamic duo! Start now!!!!!!!!!!

Still Amazed

It is so funny how some people that know I am a workout fanatic still find it necessary to ask how many times a week I workout. Sometimes I wonder why they are asking the question. Nonetheless, I press on because I know what I am doing is for me and for no one else. Staying fit and healthy is a lifestyle for me and a priority. So much so that I plan my workouts when I know my schedule will be altered in the least to make sure I get my gym time in. It's so fulfilling in so many ways. Feeling my heart rate soar and feeling like I need that extra push to make it through the workout all for the final reward. The reward of feeling euphoric and energized at the end no matter how short or long my workout is. Stay encouraged and "do you". Find what makes you feel good and embrace it. I do every time I go to the gym and will continue to as long as I take a breath!

Feeling great!

Hey all I know I've been slacking on my postings but I am still on it more than ever. I am determined to work off these thighs of mine. Being thick in the thighs are where some women are trying to get but I swear I seem to build muscle in them that makes them bigger. I know you all must have your trouble zones too that make it hard to find some clothes. Lately it's really been pants & jeans for me. I am sick of having to take in the waist because I have to accommodate my thighs. I swear I'm a size 4 or 6 in the waist and a 8 in the thighs ughh. It is driving me crazy however I am not complaining. Just got to work on toning and not building so I can take some inches off these suckers. I hope you are all on your game and keeping up the work. Please add your feedback for inspiration for me and others! Has anyone ever tried those thigh bands while exercising?

Happy Anniversary!

Well it's official! It's been two years since I shed the weight and I must say I almost let this day slip by. It's a good thing though because my lifestyle now is so ingrained in me that is truly a way of life now. I have mixed feelings about this day though. I can't ever think "Oh I got this" that will be when the weight will creep back on for sure! I still have my days when I struggle but for the most part I do what I need to do and stay focused. It's a great feeling and I appreciate everyone who was so supportive of me all along and still are especially my fellow bloggers. Thanks!

Sometimes you need saving from yourself

So earlier this evening I was having a block and had no clue what I would blog about. I figured it would just come to me. It was weird because I had a free evening. Lately that has been so rare for me to have a moment of time I really didn't know what to do with so I decided to blog. Well for some reason the safari on my mac just would not load. I tried other web sites, nothing then back to fatt2fab and nothing. I figured oh well because I still didn't know what I was going to blog about and then it happened. You know the boredom snack attack. Instead of reaching for something healthy I had grabbed a single serving regular Pringles. Yes that's right Pringles. As I sat and crunched and waited for the page to load which it still wasn't I wondered why I was even eating the darn things. Empty calories, the flavor is so so. It wasn't worth it but some how I still polished off that little snack cup. "Ughh" I thought! Luckily for me that's when hubby came home. He quickly changed and said he was going to go walking. I leaped up and said I wanted to join him. Before I knew it we were out in the brisk wind speed walking, it felt great. I was just at the gym last night but it was something about the cool air that was energizing! We walked and walked until I started sprinting and then backwards jogging, it was great. Before we were done we found a steep grassy hill and ran up and down it a total of 20 times. It was wonderful. If I would have stayed home I may have reached for another unfulfilling snack but lucky for me I was saved from myself and came home to a lap top that loaded in a flash! Go figure!

Feel the burn!

I have been a regular in the gym now for over two years so I consider myself pretty conditoned but I had a workout like no other on this past Wednesday. I did a cardio/strength training exercise series called kinesis. It totally kicked my butt and I loved it! I first tried Kinesis when it was new to my gym over a year ago and my heart rate was through the roof which I loved. It is only offered through a personal trainer and therefore would cost me extra that is why I haven't done it since. It was new at that time so they wanted to advertise it and so they offered a free session. Well they offered a free session again and I leaped at the chance for that euphoric high again that I got from some intense work out. Well my quads are hating me right now and my tri-ceps hated me immediately afterward. I think the difference this time was that the trainer added more weight than I had the last time. I have never felt pain immediately after a workout the way I did this time but I think that is part of the reason why yet again I loved it so much! I am feeling the burn. It's always good to switch up your workout routines. Your body get used to a workout quickly and you won't see the same results but if you switch your routine or mix it up a little you will more than likely see the results you are looking for. Just something to think about!

Wondering...

So last night was the season premiere of the Biggest Loser so I'm always really happy to be posted up in front of the TV & zooming past the commercials on my Tivo. So the theme for this season is "Second Chances" and many of the people on the show this season have had hard lives or some tragedy that led to their weight gain. I also wondered why I was as over weight as I was. I know how I got there just not why. So I have come to the conclusion it's two reasons; one: I love food & I'm greedy, there was no such thing as a little bit for me. I always over ate! Reason two: I didn't know how to eat. I never learned about the value of real nutrition in food and how to eat to fuel my body and not for just taste! The ironic thing about my poor eating habits was that after the big meals of the greasy & fatty foods I loved so much I felt miserable afterward. I never understood how I actually forgot that feeling and craved the same stuff over and over again. You would think the sluggish run-down feeling never occurred. Nonetheless, it helps to really analyze your feelings about food and take steps to conquer it anyway you can.

Tragedy or Triumph?

Driving in to work this morning and listening to all the ceremonies going on today brought back a flood of memories of September 11, 2001 and I am sure it does for almost everyone in this country. It's hard to believe it's been eight years. I am always grateful everyday and thank GOD for waking me up another day and I am joyful that I am happy and healthy because there are so many people that can't say that. Then I wonder how many people are standing in their own way. You never know if today will be your last day so live life as if it will be! I know I have days when I am down or feel like the world is coming to an end over the most petty of incidents and then I have to stop and think wow, I have my mind, my health and people who care about me so NOTHING it that bad! There are so many things in the world we can't control but I tell you one thing the things I can control I go out of my way to shape it, form it, and make it what I want it to be. It's the same thing with health and fitness. If the only thing standing in your way is you, get out of the way! If you are fortunate to be an able-bodied person and still come up with excuse after excuse why you can seem to "Get into" exercising or would rather make a drive-thru run verses stopping at the grocery store and picking up fresh vegetables that you can steam at home in a microwave in 2 minutes stop and ask yourself if you're worth the time. I know I am. It's the least you can do for yourself and your family is to be a healthy you.

It's Official!!

Well it's over, I hate to say it but Summer is over. Well maybe not until September 22ND according to the calendar but I usually declare summer over after labor day. Have you reached your summer goals? If not plan for Fall & Winter this is the best time to get back in action. Cooler weather means heavier clothes and more ease to cover up fat rolls! Don't do it. Make a commitment to yourself to stay on track or get on track. I have been feeling super hippy lately and I need to do some exercise modifications! I know my target areas and so should you. Invest in yourself this Fall! We all plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas but are we planning for ourselves? Our health and our physical fitness? Make yourself a priority and and don't let social activities revolve around food. Don't let food be the focus in your life find healthy activities and be conscience of what you are eating!

Where are my followers?

It's been a while since I've blogged because my comments are slipping but I know that can't stop me because blogging keeps me motivated. Well nothing much has changed I am still doing my thing and always looking for new tips on healthy eating and exercise. I am also trying to get family members and friends back on track. I always say you can always start again just don't give up. It's hard and it takes dedication and focus and you can always use a helping hand. Find a buddy a family member or something to jump start your routine and support to make it last!

Make Sure You're Happy

Have you completed your goals? Are you on target with your goals? If not ask yourself why and make the lifestyle adjustment you need to make. Can you look back at this summer and say you have shed those unwanted pounds or have you packed on more? You know as the temperatures drops its likely the pounds won't so you must prepare yourself now. School is about to start and you know what that means, the holidays are right around the corner and food, food, food comes right along with it. What are you going to do to prevent the temptation of it all? Set your plan in motion now so by the time the holidays roll around you'll be happily on your way to the new you!

read your labels

Don't let fancy packaging fool you! You have to read ingredient labels very care carefully! Many foods that shout FAT-FREE on the box are loaded with sugar and/or sodium. Remember fat adds flavor without fat the flavor has to come from somewhere right?! Fat in foods is not your only enemy you have to watch the sodium and the sugars too. Remember sugar doesn't read as sugar on a label all the time, it can read cane syrup, high fructose corn syrup and a myriad of other items I can't even spell! Sugar substitutes and diet sodas should be consumed in small quantities as well. They keep your sweet tooth going. Anything that tastes like sugar keeps you craving sugar, keep that in mind! Also be sure to watch serving sizes, a small frozen personal pizza may say it's 250 calories and you think that's great until you see the tiny writing that reads per serving and what you thought was a personal pizza turns out to be 4 servings which means it's a whopping 1000 calories if you ate the whole thing. Yeah I know this may sound cruel and it is but it's not so bad when you are knowledgeable with what you are fueling your body with. Once you get into this mind set it's second nature! The best thing you can do for yourself is eat single ingredient foods with no label. If you pick up an apple, guess what? You're eating an apple, no foreign ingredients to figure out or wondering about a serving size. This is not very realistic in the easy access packaged food world we live in but it's something to think about. You want a good balance of wholesome pure foods and avoid processed foods as much as possible!

Stay occupied

I never get a chance to get bored because I'm always on the go, working, doing activities with the kids or running them to somewhere they have to be or spending time with family and friends so I rarely have idle time but when I do it drives me crazy! One reason is because I instantly want to eat. It's satisfying and it fills in blank time. It's the worse thing you can do, never eat out of boredom. You'll always chose the wrong foods and you'll always eat too much! If it's that bad for me I'll start cleaning. Throw some clothes in the wash or start vacuuming, scrub the toilets if you have to! Just think you'll have a lean body and a clean house too, what more could you ask for? Don't underestimate the power of cleaning too, it burns calories. Have you ever tried to scrub soap scum. I don't have these guns for nothing! Also you can create some more family time. Put the candy bar down and play a family game or a watch movie. The best thing to do is exercise. Hop on the floor and do some crunches, lift some hand weights while you watch your favorite TV shows. The next time your Saturday night plans fall through or the rain ruins your outdoor plans, instead of plooping on the couch with a half gallon of ice cream get active and get moving, the scale will thank you!

Moods

Moods determine what goes in your mouth a lot. Some people eat when they are happy, some people eat when they are sad. Some people eat when the sun is shining or when it's cloudy. If you are like me you didn't need a reason or your mood really didn't make a difference. You just wanted a cupcake because you wanted it, screw the clouds or the bad news just give me the food. Learn to recognize those things that trigger you to eat without being hungry. Portion out your food. Never eat out of a box or bag because you'll just keep eating. If you want some chips take a few out the bag and put the bag away and leave it! Don't eat standing up or while you're on the phone. Don't eat in front of the TV. When you are eating savor your food and realize it's for nourishment and fueling your body. Enjoy it! Talk with your family. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Let you mind catch up with your stomach. If you are eating too fast you are probably eating too much because your body can't get the signals to your mind fast enough to let you know that you are food. Eating based on mood almost always comes with that time of the month as well. You may crave sweets or salty snacks that you have to have. Take your time and ask yourself if it's mood driving your eating or actual hunger.

Is your closet making you fat?

When was the last time you've done inventory of your closet and what you wear everyday? Does your wardrobe consist of sweat pants, big sweaters, over-sized shirts or jackets? These are clothes that hide the fat rolls, love handles and thunder thighs. Wel guess what hiding them doesn't mean they don't exist. They are there and getting bigger if you find you need pants with an elastic waist! Clean that closet out now! Try more form fitting clothes and button down shirts, skinny jeans and not the boyfriend jeans! The more you see of you body the more willing you'll be to stay on target with your eating and exercising to get the curves and form you desire. Go to the store and pick out a dress in your current size and then your goal size. Put them side by side and tell yourself you'll be there soon. For even more encouragement (if you can afford it) buy it and hang it where you can see it everyday as inspiration!

patience

I am sick to death of all the weight loss commercials and infomercials for 10 minute abs and so forth. No wonder it's a billion dollar a year industry. Everyone wants the quick fix when the truth is there is no quick fix. Even bariatric surgery doesn't work for all or work very well for some. Why not give yourself the time you need to lose the weight in a safe, healthy manner? A way that is a lifestyle change not a diet or fad? It is still very difficult for me on this weight road. Maintaining is harder than losing because you have to concentrate on every morsel of food...STILL. Old habits can never come back or the scale will surely creep back up and then all the hard work will have to be done all over again or it's back to fat land! I am thankful that this is truly something that was important enough for me to have patience for. I didn't rush it or put pressure on myself and I stuck with it, even when I felt it was no way I ever reach my goal. Once you get a taste of just a few pounds off though it's motivation enough for you to see it through. If your plan isn't working for you ask yourself if you are being patient enough. Isn't the new you worth waiting for?

ME time

Most of us are Mothers, Wives, Girlfriends, & such and have full time jobs and trying to find a balance for everything you need to do can sometimes be crazy! Trying to fit your "ME" time in can be almost impossible and some may even feel guilt for wanting it! Trust me those folks that love you will thank you for it! Your "ME" time to devote to the wellness of your body is not just for you everyone benefits from it! Some times I think "I really should have done that load of clothes or is my daughter still going to be awake for a story after I get home from the gym?" I have learned that it all gets done, some how! If there is one thing I am good at it's time management and knowing how important exercise is to me I have to schedule it at all costs. Also if it's scheduled on you calendar on your desk or a tone reminder on your cell phone you are more likely to stick to it! Add it to you calendar as "ME" time so it's something that you look forward to and not a chore!

more to think about

I was reading an article the other day about Monica Seles, the tennis star. I hadn't heard her name in several years but I came across an article about her battle with weight. Who knew? Certainly not me. You think tennis star, okay she is fit for life. Not so with Monica. After the infamous stabbing she was out of the spotlight for a while and her Father was dying from Cancer. Her weight gain was only about 20 pounds but to an athlete it was extra hard for her. She practiced and worked out 8 hours a day. Can you imagine how much she had to eat to actually put on that weight after all that exercise. She said that she gorged on pizza, pasta, chip & specialties of whatever foreign city she was in! She said she got it together because she was fed up and ashamed of her image. The one thing that really stuck out to me was that she had a "20 second rule", she said when she grabbed a bag of chips she had to wait 20 seconds before she opened them, That allowed her to ask herself if she was really hungry or what she was actually hungry for. She has since shed her weight and back in top form. It was really exciting because anything that helps the mental aspect of weight loss I am always looking for. Try it, I know I will!

Doing too much?

I am feeling so tired and run down, it's time for a vacation from my vacation. After spending the weekend in New Jersey with the hubby and kids at Six Flags Great America I am beat down. The crazy thing is when we arrived Friday, we went straight to the pool & then to dinner and then I went to the fitness center. It was a modest center but had just what I needed. I hopped on the elliptical for and hour and then did weights for about 15 minutes. This really wasn't the greatest idea in hindsight I should have just rested up for Saturday because I knew working out would keep me that much more wound up which it did. I can't sleep in anyway so I was up at 6:30 am Saturday morning. Sleeping late for me is 8 am and I just knew I would sleep until then but no. So it was on to our big day at the park and I mean big. We were there from 10 am to 10 pm. So you know I felt no guilt for the pizza I had at the park. I needed a serious carb load for the walking we did. So here I am back at home Sunday washing clothes and packing again for another almost week long get-away next week. Am I crazy? I am feeling a little sick. I think the fast food and the constant on the go this weekend has got me screwed. I had fun don't get me wrong but when your activities through you outta whack you have to re-evaluate. So I am planning to get rest, eat well and balance my exercise for this next trip. We as mothers, wives, sisters, friends so often over extend ourselves and then we tend to neglect ourselves which affects our health. We need a balance regarding our weight, our nutrition and of course our mental health!

Feeling Fragile

As I was scrolling through my TIVO last night deleting recorded shows I was deleting Oprah because she takes off in the summer and repeats are shown and since I've seen them all I just deleted the repeats. I thought to myself she'll be back on in mid-September and I usually look forward to that because she usually has a great theme going. I thought back to the New Year and her "Best Life" series. She kicked off the series talking about her weight gain over the past year or so and talked about how she couldn't believe she still can't get it right. How was she back here again? The truth is you never have it licked. Here she is a billionaire with unlimited resources; trainers, chefs, nutrionist, weight loss experts. If she can't keep it off I'm doomed for sure. I have to remember to take it one day at a time. You can never relax and so "Oh I got this!" You just can't because you must stay focused all the time. If you don't focus you are doomed to repeat the terrible habits that got you overweight in the first place. As I have said before I am so fearful of slipping into old habits. I have to write this out to see the words on the screen to keep me focused. I am out of town this weekend and have my workout clothes packed so I can workout at the fitness center at the hotel. Staying focused on your goals doesn't take a vacation always stay mindful of your goals and own them!

Keeping the Momentum Going

I am so trying to stay focused! I am working out like crazy and wondering if that is sending my appetite through the roof. Of course I know that working out does make you hungry but I am trying to figure out if I am eating more because I am hungry or greedy. I am willing to bet it's the latter of the two but maybe a combination of the two. My drive seems to be dwindling as far as my great eating habits. I fear I will slip back into my bad habits but I do know my limits. I just don't want to slip. I need to keep my momentum going and stay on track! I know I will and it feels good for me to write about and read it in black and white so I can make sure I take ownership of what I need to do. I think this is driven by fear but I have to conqor the mental part of the this weight loss thing to. That means giving myself kudos for my accomplishments and not beating myself up over things!

Food Diary

When I first started LA Weight loss on my quest to lose weight one of the main reasons I chose this program over others was because I didn't want pre-packaged food. I knew I wouldn't be eating pre-packaged food for the rest of my life so that was realistic for me. I needed to know how to balance my diet, control portions & chose the right foods. That is exactly what they taught me but part of the program involved keeping a food diary. I cringed at the thought of this but found it fantastic. Since there was no calorie counting this took that stress away and allowed me to see that I was getting my vegetables in and getting my fruits in and getting my healthy fats in etc.! It really was an eye opener. It also helped me spread out my foods throughout the day so I wouldn't be hungry. WRITE IT DOWN! Yes it can take some getting used to but you'll find it so helpful. Get a mini notebook with a pen attached and carry it everywhere. Write it down! Try to get in your bread carbs early in the day like whole wheat, high fiber toast, oatmeal or whole grain cereal, when you see you have had your bread carbs for breakfast and some for lunch, try protein such as fish or chicken for dinner with a salad of dark greens or your favorite green vegetable. Seeing is believing and it also helps you stop mindless eating. When you reach into your child's Happy Meal or take a handful of chips from someone you'll realize that is eating too if you write it down. Some people follow meal plans to a tee but then don't count all the mindless eating they are doing in between their "plan" meals and then wonder why they are gaining weight instead of losing weight!

Phantom Phat

I read an article yesterday about people who have lost a significant amount of weight and still see themselves as fat. They called it "Phantom Phat." It takes longer for your brain to catch up with the actual image you see in the mirror. This is something that I have struggled with and still do to a certain extent. The image I see in the mirror is still not the image that is actually there. It is better for me now because it's been a couple of years but when I first reached my goal weight I saw the same fat girl in the mirror. I only saw the weight loss in pictures. I knew it was true because I saw the pictures and over the several months it took me to lose weight I saw the clothes falling off. It was a horrible irony however not to see it in the mirror. Also the article spoke of how people, especially women are often disappointed with their self image after significant weight loss because they thought if they lost weight they would automatically have the PERFECT body. I can relate to this as well. Not that I thought I would have the perfect body but my nemeses, my stomach would some how be gone. Soooo not the case. Don't get me wrong there is a whole lot less of it than it was but still the one area of my body that I really want changed. I often try to focus on the parts of my body I like and I have transformed through exercise verses focusing on what I see as flaws. As I have said before we are our own worst critics and we zoom in on trouble areas that other people probably don't take a second look at. The bottom line is I am happy to be me and completely satisfied overall and it feels great!

Use your resources

If you are reading this it's obvious that you are already doing what I'm writing about but are you using it to your full advantage? I don't know how I ever survived without the world wide web. It has been instrumental in my weight loss. On days I need inspiration, new work outs, new recipes, new tips; anything relating to weight loss I turn to the internet. It helps in so many ways. Instead of reaching for the chips or a donut, click on Fatt2Fab, fitness.com, google the words fitness, healthy recipes, weight loss or eating light and you will have millions of hits. The hard part can be weeding out the junk. Please share any helpful sites that you have I would love to hear about them so I can search them. I love fitness.com and I subscribe, there are also great light recipes on foodnetwork.com and there is a BMI calculator on the NIH website. Also I love Morning Star Farms veggies products & they have a great website that has dozens of recipes and tips for preparing their veggie products.

Back in action

Okay I have been out of commission for a few days sunnin' & funnin' in Miami & Key Biscayne Florida and yes it was great. Yes I rocked my two bikini's and was lovin' it because that is ALL they wear in Miami. It was wonderful. I will be doing extra crunches in the gym tonight to work off those Margarita's and nachos but it's all good. Moderation is the key so I didn't go overboard and I must admit I really missed spin class on Saturday. The good thing is I was able to take advantage of the water for my exercise. Running in place in the ocean will really give you a workout! Wow that current is somthing else and you can really feel it. I was using my arms too and since the water was almost to my neck I could feel it all over. I thought about going for a morning run but that is all I did was think about it. That sun was hot as heck even in the early morning hours and since I hate to run as it is I stuck with my water exercises. Join me and let me know how you stay on your routine during get-aways. You can be creative still have fun & stay fit!

Motivation!

I have found it hard to stay motivated in recent days. I am still on track with diet and exercise but my drive to share it all has diminished some what. I am sure this is just a phase but I get discouraged when the same people come back to me asking me for help but continue not to listen. So they think what I am going to say will be any different from the last ten times I told them the exact same thing? If you are reading this you know who you are! Find your motivation. Just as I have stated before doing this blog and knowing that I do have some really dedicated followers helps to keep me motivated but what will do it for you? Trust me I know how hard this journey is and I am not kicking anyone while they are down. Reach out and find whatever it is that you need to help you get on track. Not to say that you won't fall off but don't let falling off mean falling out! Don't let one slice of pizza turn to three and don't let going hard with the exercise turn to sleeping in front of the television. I would suggest to all of you to find the worst off guard photo taken of you in recent days and really examine it. Ask yourself if you are happy with what you see. Let's take it further and ask yourself if you think you see a healthy person and person someone would call fit. If the answer is no make a plan for yourself and exhaust all of your resources to achieve your goals! I have added the pic that was my motivation. This pic was taken in hot Disney World in August of 2006! I didn't recognize myself. I was fat, tired and run down. I looked at it and said she has to go. It took a lot for me to add this pic because to this day I think it is so horrible but in a way it's the best picture I have ever taken because if I hadn't I would not have changed my lifestyle! So I am grateful for it forever!

It's All About Me!

You have to make it all about you in your journey to a happy healthy you. This helps you stay focused and stay on track with your weight loss. WARNINGS: FEELINGS MIGHT GET HURT! I had someone ask me recently how I handled co-workers who asked me how much weight I lost because she has lost a lot of weight and found that folks were being plain nosey! I would tell everyone who asked and shouted it from the roof tops but then you begin to wonder when the same person would ask again and again and again. "What? Do you think the number is going to change?" That's when you begin to wonder if they are truly interested and happy for you or hating on you or being nosey! The bottom line is it doesn't matter! If there is any indication in your mind that someone is trying to throw you off your game be it innocently or purposely change the subject, walk away, set something on fire or do anything that will distract you from the negativity!

Going off the deep end

Well it's a holiday weekend there are parties and cookouts and dinner with friends. How do you push the plate away? Well I've done okay but definitely have had more food than usual this weekend and more of the foods that are on my no-no list. But to that end I have still been on my workout regimine that has not waivered a bit so I do feel good about that and the alcohol is another story. Hard liquior of course has lots of carbs so keep that in mind with your favorite cocktails! Happy 4th!

What's holding you back?

I have had so many different conversations with so many people over the last few years who have had problems losing weight. A lot of the time the motivation never lasted. They start out the gate with a burst of determination but it dwindles as they round the turn and never reach the finish line. So many of us make excuse after excuse and wonder why they just can't seem to make this commitment to themselves. Look around ask yourself what's holding you back. Maybe it's not you, maybe you have toxic people in your life or other burdens that are weighing on you so heavily it's smothering the real you. First I would ask you to pray, pray for strength and ask GOD to show you the way. To release you from your burdens and people that add no value to your life. If they aren't givers, they are takers it's that simple! Look around your home, is it cluttered? Clutter is a burden and smothers you as well. What able your financial health? If your finances aren't healthy more than likely neither is your body. Everything we do in life and the decisions we make affect our health and well-being. Make today the day you take charge of everything in your life. When you can do that you'll find your efforts for a healthier lifestyle and body will fall into place!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Keep happy thoughts to help you stay focused. If you have cheated today or didn't get your exercise don't beat yourself up just vow to do it tomorrow. I know for some people tomorrow never comes but make it a reality. Every day you stay on track is one day closer to your goal!

Is it worth it?

You know if I eat something I shouldn't be eating you best to believe I thought long and hard about it before it went in my mouth. I always ask myself, "Is it worth it?" To bust out of my calorie safety zone those calories better be super worth it for my taste buds. Like my yummy peanut butter, or the ocassional fries or slice of birthday cake. I know those are my favorites so if I have a treat it is usually something I love. Well today I was reading my newest edition of the Washingtonian magazine of which I am a loyal subscriber. I know they almost always hit a home run with me regarding their recommendations for "best of" when it comes to places to eat. Well this month was the second month in a row that they were raving about a place called KBQ and how great their ribs are. Well it just so happens this place is in the same strip mall where I go to the gym. I know it well because I told my hubby how much I love the smell of the place when I come out of the gym on a crisp winter night. For some reason I don't smell it in the warm months I think the cold has something to do with it. Weird, I know. Anyway since I have been going to this gym for over two years I have never had the urge to actually eat anything from this place even though I love the smell which seemed to be satisfying enough for me...until today. I asked a co-worker if he had ever tried their ribs because he lives in the area too and he said they were good but not great. I figured well thats just one person I want to know what the hype is about. So as I sit here burping up ribs as I am typing I can assure you those ribs were not worth me getting side-tracked. Yeah they were good but like he said not great. That's what I'm looking for if I stray I need great! Just something to keep in mind when you are reaching for something you really shouldn't be reaching for. I know I'll stick to my montra and ask myself "Is it worth it?"

Waistline

If you are working out or beginning to work out regularly be sure to measure your body. The inches will fall off when the weight seems to remain the same. There were several times when I mad because the scale didn't budge but went to wear a pair of pants only to find I was swimming in them. It really is a trip but in a good way. When you exercise remember you are losing fat and gaining muscle and that can explain plateaus in weight some times. The areas to measure for certain are your waist, your hips, your thighs, your busts and your arms. I lost over 28 inches total from my body and I'm still amazed it. I kept a belt I wore when I was a size 18 as a reminder to tell myself how far I've come if I am ever doubtful. As a matter of fact I remember telling a co-worker how much I couldn't wait to go out and buy some really cute belts because I didn't mind tucking in blouses when I first met my weight loss goal. I used to always wear big tops or wear blouses on the outside because I wanted to make my mid-section less noticeable. I have tons of belts now and still as always looking for some really cute ones in all colors and designs. It is so much fun a a belt can change a dull outfit in a flash!

Summer

This is such a great time of year to be active. No excuses. When the weather is nice & hot & sunshiny you just gotta get out in it. Sometimes with the humidity it may not be a good idea to go for a run but try swimming and other outdoor activities that are fun and cool you off while you are exercising and having fun. My kids are waiting for me now to take them to the splash park for a birthday party, not only will they have fun but I will burn calories running around after them, whew my work out will get in big time. Try to think out of the box and be creative with fun new things. Please share some ideas of activities. I really want to get a badminton net set up in my yard. I haven't played in years but its so much fun and all that running around after the birdie is great! Please share your ideas for summer outdoor activities and cool summer recipes. I have been killing watermelon lately. It's in season and oh so good!

Back in Action!

Okay I'm back and feeling good. Actually by yesterday I was much better and back in the gym. I went to the gym tonight as well so I will rest out tomorrow and maybe hit spinning again on Saturday morning, we shall see. Anyway I just have to share about my driver's license. I just realized yesterday that my driver's license expires around my birthday in January. I can't tell you how much this excites me because I have had to live with my double-chinned driver's license photo for five years. I remember taking it in '05 and picking out a pretty red sweater to wear and doing my hair and applying some cute red lipstick only for my face to look like a pie with two chins and a pale as a ghost. I remember crying in my car in the parking lot over this picture. How vain is that? I don't even think vanity had anything to do with it. I think it was just the truth staring me in my face that I needed to lose weight and it wasn't until over a year later that I got my act together. The real kicker with the license incident was that the photo I had taken at my renewal five years before that horrid picture was the bomb! I mean it looked like a cover photo. My hair looked like I had a fan machine on like how Oprah has on the covers of her mag and I had a nice smile and a much smaller face but that was taken in 2000 when I was much lighter but still needed to lose weight! Talk about night and day. The crazy part was on the double-chin license I list my weight as 40 pounds lighter than what I actually was at the time. Who was I kidding? My face told on me big time. All I can say is I can't wait to take the next one, It's going to be my best pic yet!

Not too good today

I have a head cold and it really has me down today. So much so I came straight home from work and retreated to my bed for rest. Just feeling drained. I had my gym bag packed and ready for the gym but just couldn't make. It must be serious because I miss workouts for nothing and no one. I am feeling better but if I feel like this tomorrow it's straight to the doctor! Otherwise I will be headed for the gym. I must say since I eat better and exercise I am sick less often. It really does wonders for your body when you treat it well. You are also more in tune with your body and can sense something that may be wrong quicker. I also used to suffer from terrible back aches when I was 70 pounds heavier. I actually thought it was related to the epidurals I had with my two children not realizing it was the pounds I was packing on after every birth that was truly the cause. Not to say that weight loss is the cure-all but it can certainly hep with so many things. Well I am keeping this short, still not very energized right now so good night. I am hoping I am back in action tomorrow.

Looking for snacks?

Sometimes it's hard to stay focused because you feel you are eating all the right foods for your meals but you are still hungry in between. I try to eat small meals throughout the day. Remember you have to eat to lose. Make breakfast your biggest meal of the day. You'll have all day to burn it off. I don't mean sausage, eggs, bacon & a triple stack of pancakes either. I meal oatmeal, egg whites, fruits, whole grain breads & things like that. The best way to stay on target is to arm yourself with the right foods for snacks. Always have a bottle of water within reach! Take and apple with you or baby carrots or protein bar. Always something you can easily tote with you and eat if hunger strikes and the only thing near by is the greasy food court. As much as you may want to indulge in the greasy non-nutritive foods, DON'T! It's not worth it and once you fill up on the juicy apple and a few sips of water it won't be so appealing and you'll be happy to go on about your business. If anyone has any tips for snacks please share. Fruit, nuts, veggies, protein or fiber bars are always a win but what else is there? It can get a little boring believe me that is why you have to be creative! It is easier to get more creative in your kitchen but not as easy for something to take on the go. So if you have great to-go snacks or at-home snacks let me know. Keep in mind they should be high in fiber & protein, low in sugar, salt & sodium, nutritious and as natural or organic as possible. That's a tall order to still taste good but they do exist. Avoid processed & go for more natural foods. If you are eating naturally roasted almonds you know that is what you are eating an almond, no fillers, no names you can't pronounce, no salt no sugar no nothing you can't go wrong with a natural food but beware very high in fat! A good fat but moderation is the key for everything!

Great workout!

Spinning was great! I really did enjoy it. I felt I had a good pace going and I was able to keep up. Thanks to 6' & Sexxy for getting me in there bright and early on a Saturday morning! It was packed and fun! It was also a great warm up I was able to do an additional 30 minutes of cardio after about 45 minutes of spinning then on to weights & abs & stretching. Needless to say when I crashed I crashed. I came home to soak my "bikers butt" in the tub...OOHH AHHH it was great. After that nice hot bath I felt totally relaxed. Okay gotta keep this one short getting ready to party tonight. Make comments and write about your new work outs I love to find out about other stuff to try!

Weekends

If you are anything like me you find it hard to stay focused with your eating on the weekends. lately it seems even harder because of parties and get-togethers. For the most part I do pretty good I am pretty much used to staying away from the really tempting stuff but my sweet tooth seems to be insane since I have turned over a new leaf. I am convinced it was always there but back in the day when I'd rather have a second helping of meat-n-potatoes I never had room for dessert. Now that I am not shoveling in fried foods and bread by the basket full there's room for dessert. Guess what I have it. It may be in the form of a spoonful of my favorite peanut butter or a cookie or maybe even a slice of cake but I chose to have a smaller serving or maybe just a bite to satisfy a craving. 6'& Sexxy sent me a pic today, I think was taken in 2004 at her baby shower. You know the kind of pic I'm speaking of, the candid shot. I laugh when I see 200+lb old photos of myself because I know that chunky girl is gone forever and I don't miss her one bit. When other people see those types of pics of me most say they can't remember me at that size. I think that is so wonderful that chunky girl is fading from minds. I do always however have to acknowledge that she did exist to be sure to never let her take over again.

Family & Friends

I have family and friends who I have tried to enlist on the path of health & fitness. I am sure you do too. I have also tried to instill these good habits in my children. I am sure they will never eat broccoli when they are adults because they eat it every night now. Well it's the only vegetable that I know they will eat, yeah I've tried them all. Yes they eat corn but it's a starch so I don't give it to them too often. Try not to make separate meals. I found myself doing that at first steamed spinach, chicken breast & brown rice maybe for me for dinner and tator tots & cheese sticks for the kids. What kind of sense did that make? Yeah you remembered they won't eat that spinach but they will eat broccoli so I will do that separately not that I don't eat broccoli but I eat pretty much all vegetables so I don't eat broccoli everyday! Sure they still get McDonald's and other "bad for you foods" but it's the exception not the norm which really makes the difference. Try to rub off on everyone around you. I know I try, to the point people hate to see me coming or try to hide what they eat from me like I'm the food police especially at work. I was off one Friday and my whole office actually planned to order pizza because I wasn't there. They are too ashamed to do that kind of thing with me around. I don't know if it's good or bad but I sure found it funny. These are also the same people that got me a case of water and a bag of apples for my birthday when I first started my weight loss journey because they knew I wouldn't want a cake so I think it's a GREAT THING!

Find Support

It is hard enough trying to change your eating habits and trying to exercise regularly and oh by the way your everyday life is stuck in there too. Sometimes you just can't find the motivation you need. If at all possible find a friend or family member for support. You already have support just by being on this blog so if you can find a "buddy" do it by all means. Make sure you chose someone who is fully committed and cannot side track you. It must be someone with the same goals in mind. You will find there are a lot of "fakers" out there. That's not a bad word because they often have good intentions but they are some how temporary in their efforts or breaking all the rules without even knowing it. I am excited the 6' & Sexxy invited me to spin class on Saturday at our gym. I have done the body pump class before and loved it. I like to zone out when I go to the gym because I am on a mission when I'm there. It's so funny to me when I see men or women sitting perfectly still on a piece of gym equipment & have an hour long conversation then get up and leave. How have they supported one another? Do they leave and then tell someone they were at the gym for an hour? Yeah you were there that's about it! Then they wonder why the scale has gone up instead of down! Anyway back to the spinning. I tried spinning once years ago before I even attempted changing my eating habits. I hated it! I say that not because I couldn't breathe, not because my legs were burning, not because every few minutes the instructor said increase the resistance, I say that because of that gosh-darn seat! In spinning you don't sit for long or very often but when you do you want to feel like it's saving your life. Not on those hard narrow I'm sure were invented by men seats!!! Why did I accept the spinning class invitation you may ask? Well why not give it a try again? After all I'm in better shape even though I know it is still going to kick my butt but better yet I can purchase a gel seat to put over those skinny things they call seats to make me feel better. So with that said I will keep you posted.

Bikini anyone?

I pondered whether or not I would even reveal this but since yesterdays blog and my fantastic feedback I figured what the heck! I bought a bikini this weekend. I am having mixed feeling about it because this is uncharted waters for me. I have worn a bikini before. The year was 1988 and it was a size 12. This of course was a pre-baby body and although I weighed much more then than I do know there were no post baby stretch marks and no kangaroo pouch just pretty much over all roundness and it was cool because I was 18. Well what isn't cool at 18? Now the story is a little different. I vowed I wouldn't wear a bikini now because my stomach is very much my nemeses, torturing me and taunting me because it's the one thing that just won't go away, no matter how many crunches, different ab exercises and so forth, it is a nagging reminder of what I want to leave behind. So I said in yesterdays blog I try to remind myself of my successes with transforming my body and the parts I love, my arms, my legs even my butt! So there I was in the store when I saw this ordinary bikini, not a teeny weeny bikini but a standard bikini top with a fuller bottom. Not a boy short or skirt but the most coverage bottom you can get and still call it a bikini. So I said "Hmmm, this might work!" Well it did work, I wasn't ecstatic over it but I was thrilled at the fact that I didn't want to gag at my image in the mirror so that must be good right? The pattern and the colors aren't anything I would go wild over, my stretch marks were almost completely covered and my kangaroo pouch didn't look like I should be hopping around. Perfect? No, not hardly, something I could work with and give me confidence to work it out and get in the real bikini I want? YES, oh boy YES! Now would I wear thins bikini around anyone I know other than my husband and children? NO! Around strangers on vacation? YES! Good enough! Take pictures in it? No! Well maybe with a sarong or just so I can mill over them for hours to see what I need to work on. Now the question is do I want to take this bikini to Miami? The land of the perfect hard body? Do I shatter the confidence I have built up by even purchasing these two patches of fabric? Seeing a tanned perfect body, 26 inch waist having, perfect boob (fake or real) beach body goddess just might be enough to send me packing! Pray for me! I am going to hold my head high and say, "I am fabulous!"

Feeling fat today...

Do you ever say this? I do all the time and it's the worst thing you can do to yourself! I was feeling rather chunky today so I purposely wore a form fitting dress to prove to myself I wasn't. It didn't work I felt a little self-conscious. Some days are like this as we all know. The turning point for me was when a petite co-worker who always praises my weight loss asked me if my dress was a size 2! It was like striking gold. Eureka! I felt a wave of self-confidence that was extraordinary. I had to laugh knowing full well she was exaggerating with her question but the point was she was commenting on how small I looked to her. Self-doubt is so incredible and we are our own worst enemies. We can often be so critical of ourselves and see the slightest flaws that all the free world would over look. Why not just get dressed in the morning, give yourself a once over and say "I look great?" Too much like right! I guess we look for flaws, bulges, imperfections. This is especially hard when you are trying to lose weight or have lost weight and your mind can't grasp a new image. No matter how hard I tried I see the same 200+ pound person in the mirror and am always amazed when small sizes fit me and think the smallest bite of a "no-n0" food will pack all the weight I've lost back on my body instantly. For the longest time the only change I saw as I was losing weight was that my clothes were falling off, my sizes were decreasing and I looked smaller in pictures. I absolutely could not see it in the mirror. Sometimes I still have my doubts when I look in the mirror but I have to remind myself to relish in my victory of conquering the fat me once and for all and not to have a feeling fat day!

Get Movin'!

Don't let other influences dictate as to whether or not you'll get your exercise in. If you don't belong to a gym no big deal. Go for a brisk walk or jog outside. It's the perfect season to get in some fresh air. If it's raining out turn your house into a gym. Start with walking up and down your stairs getting your heart rate up, turn that into a jog up and down the stairs. Do squats in the middle of the floor and knee bend lunges. Invest in some hand weights and even ankle weights. Hand weights are great to use while you are catching up on your TIVO or waiting for your dinner to cook. Ankle and or wrist weights are great to wear while vacuuming or doing weekend chores. Make the most of every movement you make. Exercise doesn't mean you have to go for a 5k run or to the gym everyday. It means making the most of what could be routine or everyday things but making it work for your body. Don't ever say you don't have the time. We all find the time to do what we want, if YOU don't make the time for YOU who will?

Spread the news

I have had many people tell me they enjoy the blog, they have passed it to others and read it daily but my comments are nonexistent these days. I have to remember that weight loss is often a private struggle. Many people don't want to admit that they have a food addiction or trouble with how to pick the right foods. They also don't want to admit they have clothes in their closet that they have been saying for years that they are going to "get back in" or they'd rather buy every diet pill & miracle machine on infomercials instead of eating right and exercising. It takes major courage to share your struggles, trust me I know but believe me you are not alone.

Today's fitness tip

Surround yourself with people and things that remind you to live a healthy lifestyle! Positive influences weigh heavy in any aspect of your life but are extraordinary when trying change your body and eating habits. This includes people who know what you are trying to accomplish and people who are supportive with words, gestures and encouragement. However, many people, friends and family can sabotage your plan. Oftentimes they are well-meaning and say all the right things but their actions may tell a different story. Don't shut out family and friends but explain to the ones who may contribute to you being side tracked how important your goal is to you and that any support they could lend will be a lifesaver...literally.

How important is food to you?

Where is food on your priority list? If it's at the top you may be a food junkie! I've learned not to center everything around food. Graduations=food, Anniversaries=food, Birthdays= food, Good news=food, Bad news =food...well guess you get the message. We are social creatures and food is enjoyable and that's why it seeps into every part of our lives. Even when you die there's a REPAST, but that's one meal you won't have. Okay enough of my attempt at humor. All I am saying here is when you are struggling to lose weight and wonder why the pounds aren't falling off think about your social life. How many slices of birthday cake have you had this week, how many office meetings have you been to where you didn't pass on the donuts, or gone to the movies and dove in the the heart attack in a bucket they call popcorn? You must consider every morsel you put in your mouth. If you are like me and always had to dig into the kids Happy Meal fries or finish off the few bites they left behind but think you are on track you are fooling yourself. The best thing to do when you don't realize what you are eating during the course of a day is to start a food journal. Carry a small spiral notebook in your purse, back pocket, car, desk drawer. Basically have it everywhere you go and write down every meal and snack. This will help you see the time of day you may tend to pig out or if you are skipping meals which of course will just make you over eat when you do get a chance to eat. Try it for a couple of days and then evaluate what you have written & make the necessary changes in your diet.

Let's try this again...

Success! After meeting my weight loss goal almost two years ago fear set in. Now what? How do I maintain what I worked 13 months to accomplish? It was overwhelming. I knew I could never go back to my old eating habits and luckily I didn't want to. No turning back for the kid! But how do I work out at the gym and not burn 1,200 calories. I had been eating and exercising all this time to lose weight. How do you eat and exercise to maintain? Gradually I added back slightly more carbs & cut back the intensity of my work outs. I was never much of a calorie counter I just made sure I had a good balance of fruits, veggies, good carbs (starches), good fat & protein. Always remember once you have made it to your weight loss goal all your planning and efforts with your "diet" much be followed with just as much if not more planning and effort to maintain the weight you worked do hard for.

Struggles

Sometimes you just don't have it in you. When it's easier to skip dinner because your day was stressful or skip your workout because you don't know where you'll find the strength. You aren't alone! PLAN,PLAN, PLAN! Let's face it who knows you better than you do? You know what drives you and you know what makes you through in the towel. Prepare for these moments because trust me they will come. Often it's when you're "new" to your healthy eating and weight loss plan or working out. We all bust out the gate with the finish line in mind but as the days go by to momentum slows and that little "devil" called discouraging thoughts and hunger pains set in. Prepare yourself by keeping healthy snacks at hand, always have your water and unless somebody is in the emergency room get your work out in!!!! Also write yourself positive notes and day dream about your shopping spree when you drop the pounds. Stay motivated! Stay focused!

Get the most out of your workouts!

Do you cringe when you hear the word exercise? Well maybe you do if you haven't made it fun or if you look at it like it's a chore. A workout doesn't always have to be in the gym either. Jog your neighborhood or bike a trail. Take your kids to the playground and kick around a soccer ball. Get moving and get your heart rate up. Always get in an exercise that raises your heart rate even if you stand in the mirror and just raise your arms over your head while you bend your knees this is a great start. If you do go to a gym, don't let the equipment intimidate you! Ask for assistance, most of the machines are really easy but can look like a medieval torture device and well most are but once you get the hang of it you'll yearn for more!

Parties

How on earth do you stay on track in a social situation? With alcohol, sweet & tangy finger foods and other spawn of the devil goodies spread out for the taking how on earth do you keep it together? Well the answer is LIMITS & MODERATION. Often when I know I am going into a temping eating environment I'll eat first. If you walk in the door hungry you'll almost certainly be doomed. Also "No Thank You" works wonders too. You don't have to eat what is offered to you. Yes I know easier said than done but when looking at the tempting goodies say to yourself "I love me more than those mini pastry puffs" positive thoughts almost always works. Have one drink maybe two and opt for wine if it is available it's lower in carbs! Remember if you do indulge plan and extra 15 minutes to your work out the next day. There needs to be a balance. The point is you want to live and you don't want to feel like your health and fitness is a chore! It just has to be an effort. Just think you are doing it for you! What better reason do you need!

Cravings!

Good Evening All,
We all have cravings! Some days seems like we have them all day and other days you're fine staying focused and staying away from the "bad" stuff. When you crave something, have it! Just have a fraction of the amount that you are used to having. This satisfies your craving without busting your plan! Today I was at work in the afternoon and I really wanted something to munch on but satisfying. Knowing full well I had my stash of baby carrots but looking at them in my desk drawer just wasn't doing it for me! I asked a co-worker (bka Big Sexy) to go with me to the snack bar. I really wanted her to go because I knew I wouldn't buy anything totally crazy because I had a "witness"! Remember most people go off course when they are alone! Who's going to see them go through the drive-thru or down a box of cookies or polish off a bag of chips? If you are craving something and you can have a "witness" with you, it is more than likely you won't make a pig of yourself. I grabbed the little 4 pack of Lorna Doones and that warm feeling came or me just like I used to have in Pre-school when they gave us 2 Lorna Doones and a Dixie cup of OJ. Wow those were the days. Now if we all had that size portion we could have Lorna Doones everyday! So I was happy with my 4 pack of those perfect little golden shortbread cookies and headed for the register. I asked her if she wanted something since she took the walk with me and she grabbed a sugary carb-ladened drink, then changed her mind and got a fresh glistening pear instead! I was ecstatic I wanted to jump up and down because I know her eating habits and I thought if I weren't with her maybe she would have grabbed some chips or soda! Score!!! Every choice counts. Remember you always have a choice. You decide every morsel of food that passes your lips. Stop blind eating and eating just because the food is in front of you make a conscious decision about what you eat. I did about the cookies and she did about the pear. I know I can't buy a box of Lorna Doones from the grocery store because I'd know they are there and I'd keep returning but I can buy a little 4 pack every so often and satisfy my craving!

My heart feels good today!

Good Morning All,
I am so excited today for all of the positive feedback I have been receiving about this blog. I feel the energy and it's all good. A co-worker of mine told me this morning that she was so inspired by my blog that she has started back on her exercise plan. I couldn't be happier, she says that she feels better already. Also a former schoolmate contacted me and told me that the Bible scripture posted on yesterday's blog was so inspirational to her that she felt the need to share it with another family member. My heart is filled with happiness and I pray that you all can take one step today in your battle for weight loss and healthy living. Act as if your life depends on it...because it does!

The Bathroom scale

Are you obsessing over the scale? Don't! If you want to weigh yourself do it only once a week around the same time of day and on the same scale! If you weigh yourself daily you'll find that your weight will fluctuate greatly. This is not true weight loss or gain and will really give you an emotional roller coaster ride so don't bother. Weigh just once a week for real results!

Excited!

Hello All,
I am so excited about my blog and even more excited that you are too. I hope to post some kind of daily tips starting soon so be sure to check back. Also I have made my settings so that anyone can post, you may find that you are being listed as annonymous if you aren't a member but if of course you want to be identified you can add you name at the end of the text! I have heard from several of you over the past several weeks that you started out well and have fallen off and back into you bad habits. Just know that you can start again at any time. The smallest changes can make the biggest difference in your body. A friend told me just this morning that she has stopped drinking sodas! This is major, that alone will cut the pounds! Just replace those sugary non-nutritious drinks with water and juices not from concentrate and you're good to go. Start moving today! It's a gorgeous day. Get outside, go for a walk, play with your kids, do anything but go home and crash! Stay active and your body with thank you. Start slow so you won't burn out and keep your eyes on the prize!

My first blog!

Good Morning All, I finally did it! I am asked all the time for tips and advice on eating and exercising so I have started this blog to do just that. Afterall there is enough thin to go around for us all to have our fair share. Please join me in posting questions, comments or anything you may be feeling about your success and or failures when it come to the ULITIMATE prize...You! There is nothing more precious than our bodies and our bodies reward us with health and good living when we treat them with love and care. That means fueling them with healthy food and giving them the exercise our hearts crave to keep us living and feeling great!