What makes you want to keep going when you want to stop? This question was asked to me this Friday by my Weight Watcher leader Vicki. I had hit another milestone along this journey: 70 pounds gone!!
I had to think about it...because everyone else's question that had a weight loss was "What is your favorite snack?" I could answer that question easy!!! But I have several....celery with laughing cow cheese, apples and peanut butter, apples and laughing cow cheese and celery with peanut butter....to name a few!
My answer: Because I finally realized I'm worth it! And if I don't take care of me...there won't be a me to take care of. Over the years I have and will always be my children's biggest cheerleader! Now they are becoming mine! I am now stepping out of my comfort zone and no longer hiding behind the weight and doing things I thought I would NEVER do!! Like train for a 1/2 marathon in November!!!
Then the thoughts kept coming through out Friday and today! What has kept me from giving up when there have been several times that I have wanted to throw in the towel?
Family medical history: diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc...I don't want to be another one from my family added to that list! I want to be healthy!
I also want to accomplish a big goal and get back to normal "Healthy" weight for me!
I want to be here on this earth living a productive life enjoying it with my amazing family and friends that God has so richly blessed me with for as long as God allows me to be. I don't want to cut that short because I want to load up on all kinds of junk because I like it. Don't get me wrong...I still eat some sweets but nearly not as much as I used to.
I have also gotten out of my comfort zone and started doing things that I haven't done in YEARS!! I now go ice skating with Hope! I love it and it is a fun way to get some exercise in and quite a few laughs!!!
I have now started jogging more..not running...but jogging and really enjoying it!
I have more energy throughout the day..but I also know when I'm done and yes..some days...I am getting ready to go to sleep at 8:30 at night! But it truly does help!
I catch myself fussing at myself on the treadmill when I really want to stop...but I say..(sometimes out loud if I'm home alone) it is not time to stop...you keep going because you are going to finish this! You didn't start out to quit!!! Now finish up! Maybe I watch too much Biggest Loser or something!! LOL..But I don't have the swear words in there...I might make myself cry if I did!
So if you are wanting to make those changes in your life...don't wait until tomorrow...which is another blog for another time...but it is late and I need my sleep...because all good athletes need their rest...and yes....even though I still have a way to go in my weight loss journey...I am still an athlete!!!
So good night, get your rest, drink your water and get to moving!!!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Sweet Spot Along the Way!!
Found a wonderful list full of a variety of cupcakes!!!
The main ingredient: Angel Food Cake!!!!
1 box (1 step) angel food cake
Mix the angel food cake mix and desired flavor ingredients together and beat by hand until blended. Pour into a greased cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Lemon: 1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons water, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Orange Citrus: 1 cup water, 1/4 cup orange juice and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Cherry: 1 (20 ounce) can light cherry pie filling
Black Forest: 1 (20 ounce can light cherry pie filling and 1/2 cup cocoa.
Cotton Candy: 1 (3.4 ounce) box sugar free flavored gelatin, any flavor, and 1 1/4 cup water.
Margarita: 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind.
Pineapple: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice.
Pina Colada: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, 1 tablespoon coconut extract and (1 tablespoon rum extract, if desired)
Pumpkin: 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin, 3/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice.
Spice Cake: 1 1/4 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
If you are doing Weight Watchers:
Serving size 12
WW Points 3 (that means you can have 2 cupcakes!)
We have only tried the Cotton Candy ones...but are excited to try more!!!
Enjoy!
The main ingredient: Angel Food Cake!!!!
1 box (1 step) angel food cake
Mix the angel food cake mix and desired flavor ingredients together and beat by hand until blended. Pour into a greased cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Lemon: 1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons water, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Orange Citrus: 1 cup water, 1/4 cup orange juice and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Cherry: 1 (20 ounce) can light cherry pie filling
Black Forest: 1 (20 ounce can light cherry pie filling and 1/2 cup cocoa.
Cotton Candy: 1 (3.4 ounce) box sugar free flavored gelatin, any flavor, and 1 1/4 cup water.
Margarita: 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind.
Pineapple: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice.
Pina Colada: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, 1 tablespoon coconut extract and (1 tablespoon rum extract, if desired)
Pumpkin: 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin, 3/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice.
Spice Cake: 1 1/4 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
If you are doing Weight Watchers:
Serving size 12
WW Points 3 (that means you can have 2 cupcakes!)
We have only tried the Cotton Candy ones...but are excited to try more!!!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
Here is the new recipe that we tried for dinner today!!!! My son said that it was a keeper!!
I found it on the website: www.skinnytaste.com That is an awesome website to find great healthy recipes!!!
Enjoy!
1 onion, chopped
1 16 oz can black beans
1 16 oz can kidney beans
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5 oz cans of rotel tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
24 oz skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in . Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream. The cheese and sour cream will change the Calorie counts
Serving size: 1 1/4 cups Calories: 203.7 Fat: 1.4g Carbs: 33.3 g Fiber 10.0 g Protein 16.9 g Weight Watchers Points Plus: 5
I found it on the website: www.skinnytaste.com That is an awesome website to find great healthy recipes!!!
Enjoy!
1 onion, chopped
1 16 oz can black beans
1 16 oz can kidney beans
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5 oz cans of rotel tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
24 oz skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in . Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream. The cheese and sour cream will change the Calorie counts
Serving size: 1 1/4 cups Calories: 203.7 Fat: 1.4g Carbs: 33.3 g Fiber 10.0 g Protein 16.9 g Weight Watchers Points Plus: 5
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Evaluating The Progress Along The Way!
So here we are 10 days into the new year!!! How is it going so far? Have you already fallen off the resolution wagon? Are you on target with the goals that you have set for yourself?
One goal that I have for the year is to not get into a food rut! When food gets boring, I tend to look to not so healthy choices for myself. So I have started looking for different websites that are healthy options!!! One that I really like so far and have found some really good recipes on is www.skinnytaste.com
They have a lot of recipes to choose from. We haven't found a bad one yet that we have tried! We have several coming up the next several days and weeks to come that we are going to try.
How's the exercise going? Try your best to move at least 15 minutes a day. The more you do that you will be able to increase your time exercising and in my own experience I have noticed that I have more energy! Even if it is walking in place during commercials you will almost get 15 minutes during a 30 minute show on television! I have also noticed that by the time bed time rolls around I am not wanting to stay up and piddle around on the computer or watch TV. My body tells me it is time to call it a day...if it is 8:30 or 10:00.
One thing to remember is that you have to have a plan!!! As Sir Winston Churchill said "He who fails to plan is planning to fail." Get a plan a follow through! Let 2012 be the year of change for the better!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!
One goal that I have for the year is to not get into a food rut! When food gets boring, I tend to look to not so healthy choices for myself. So I have started looking for different websites that are healthy options!!! One that I really like so far and have found some really good recipes on is www.skinnytaste.com
They have a lot of recipes to choose from. We haven't found a bad one yet that we have tried! We have several coming up the next several days and weeks to come that we are going to try.
How's the exercise going? Try your best to move at least 15 minutes a day. The more you do that you will be able to increase your time exercising and in my own experience I have noticed that I have more energy! Even if it is walking in place during commercials you will almost get 15 minutes during a 30 minute show on television! I have also noticed that by the time bed time rolls around I am not wanting to stay up and piddle around on the computer or watch TV. My body tells me it is time to call it a day...if it is 8:30 or 10:00.
One thing to remember is that you have to have a plan!!! As Sir Winston Churchill said "He who fails to plan is planning to fail." Get a plan a follow through! Let 2012 be the year of change for the better!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Veggie Spaghetti Sauce
In an attempt to cook more healthy I stepped out today to making "Almost homemade Spaghetti Sauce"
These are the items that I used. Feel free to adjust to your liking.
1 large can of crushed tomatoes with garlic and onions (or something with Italian flavors in it)
2 large can of diced tomatoes with other Italian spices in it.
1 zucchini, sliced and quartered
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
Fresh mushrooms (use how much you will like) sliced
2 teaspoons of canola oil
1/2 teaspoon of A1 steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
basil
Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon of Allspice
We also added 1 lb of browned and drained ground turkey.
Saute your veggies together in large skillet until soft. Pour tomatoes into your crock pot. Set crock pot on low. Once veggies are done add those to your tomatoes. Add herbs and seasonings to your liking! If you decide to add meat, brown and drain, then add to your sauce. Let cook together in crock pot for several hours so that the flavors can blend.
We use whole wheat pasta as well.
Enjoy
These are the items that I used. Feel free to adjust to your liking.
1 large can of crushed tomatoes with garlic and onions (or something with Italian flavors in it)
2 large can of diced tomatoes with other Italian spices in it.
1 zucchini, sliced and quartered
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
Fresh mushrooms (use how much you will like) sliced
2 teaspoons of canola oil
1/2 teaspoon of A1 steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
basil
Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon of Allspice
We also added 1 lb of browned and drained ground turkey.
Saute your veggies together in large skillet until soft. Pour tomatoes into your crock pot. Set crock pot on low. Once veggies are done add those to your tomatoes. Add herbs and seasonings to your liking! If you decide to add meat, brown and drain, then add to your sauce. Let cook together in crock pot for several hours so that the flavors can blend.
We use whole wheat pasta as well.
Enjoy
Looking on into the Horizon...
Today marks the ending of 2011. What journeys did this year take you on? Was is a wonderful journey with very little bumps along the way, or a journey full of potholes and emergency stops? What ever this year held for you, set your sights onto continuing the journey in 2012!
This year, for me, had its ups and downs, good memories and some not so good memories. I was able to spend a week in Honduras on a missions trip, going with my family on a wonderful trip to Disney World and improving my health!
What does next year hold? The future is yet to be seen, but I do plan on the journey to a more healthy lifestyle, more exercise and losing weight!
Make sure that you set realistic goals for yourself and make sure to work at those goals each and every day! I know I plan too! If your journey takes you on the road to a more healthy lifestyle, then find a buddy to go along with you on that journey! It helps to have the accountability! You are less likely to miss a workout planned with a friend because you don't want to let someone down! Make sure you are eating healthy foods and don't be afraid to try new fruits and veggies!!!
Whatever this new chapter in this crazy journey called life brings, may it bring you peace, joy, determination and happiness!
Happy New Year!
This year, for me, had its ups and downs, good memories and some not so good memories. I was able to spend a week in Honduras on a missions trip, going with my family on a wonderful trip to Disney World and improving my health!
What does next year hold? The future is yet to be seen, but I do plan on the journey to a more healthy lifestyle, more exercise and losing weight!
Make sure that you set realistic goals for yourself and make sure to work at those goals each and every day! I know I plan too! If your journey takes you on the road to a more healthy lifestyle, then find a buddy to go along with you on that journey! It helps to have the accountability! You are less likely to miss a workout planned with a friend because you don't want to let someone down! Make sure you are eating healthy foods and don't be afraid to try new fruits and veggies!!!
Whatever this new chapter in this crazy journey called life brings, may it bring you peace, joy, determination and happiness!
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Warm soup recipe for a cold winter's night!
This is the soup recipe I have cooking in my crock pot tonight for dinner tomorrow!
Bodacious Bean Soup
1/2 cup dried red kidney beans
1/2 cup dried great northern beans
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/2 cup dried navy beans
1/2 cup dried split green peas
1/2 cup dried lentils
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
1 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
Grated Cheddar cheese
Pick over all of the beans, peas and lentils and soak over night in a large soup pot with water to cover.
Drain the beans and rinse in cold water. Dry out the pot.
Heat oil in the soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and saute 10 minutes more. Add the chicken stock, raise the heat, and bring to a boil. Add the beans, peas and lentils and tomatoes and reduce the heat and simmer, cover until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper and serve with cheese.
Serves 8
WW Points plus 7 points
Bodacious Bean Soup
1/2 cup dried red kidney beans
1/2 cup dried great northern beans
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/2 cup dried navy beans
1/2 cup dried split green peas
1/2 cup dried lentils
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
1 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
Grated Cheddar cheese
Pick over all of the beans, peas and lentils and soak over night in a large soup pot with water to cover.
Drain the beans and rinse in cold water. Dry out the pot.
Heat oil in the soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and saute 10 minutes more. Add the chicken stock, raise the heat, and bring to a boil. Add the beans, peas and lentils and tomatoes and reduce the heat and simmer, cover until the beans are tender, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper and serve with cheese.
Serves 8
WW Points plus 7 points
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