Here I sit - stuck! I lost 20 of the 40 to 50 that I want to lose and I'm stuck. I'm finished with the salad and powder packet diet. I haven't committed to what my next venture will be but I need to find one and get motivated again. The good news is I lost 20 and I've kept it off. I've been exercising a lot - elliptical, walking, hiking, sometimes a combination of two and one day this weekend all three. Still the scale stares back at me in the same spot. I'm still watching my calories but there is wine involved on the weekends. Can wine really be a diet killer? I've been having dreams of someone trying to take my wine bottle out of my arms and I'm screaming like a baby and running away like an Olympian all the while trying to drink the nectar of the gods before they catch me. Maybe I am too attached to my wine...
My sister came up with a great idea (she's always been good at making and saving money unlike her partner/sister - me!). She has offered to be a coach for The B Team. Instead of paying way too much for our powder packets we can each pay her $10 a week and she will tell us what a great job we're doing and even clap for us if the scale goes down the slightest bit each week. I have to run it by the other member of The B Team but it seems to be the best offer we've gotten so far so we may give it a try. My biggest concern is my sister lives on M&M's and Good & Plenty's. I'm not sure she'll have much advice for the diet side of the coaching we're looking for. We better keep looking.
I got my passport photo taken today because my passport expired and I'm heading to Holland. He took one photo and I looked at it and wondered who he had taken a photo of. There was what appeared to be a neck on this woman in the photo and yet it wasn't a normal neck - it was a wrinkled old lady neck. I made him take another one and it looked the same. You have got to be kidding me ~ that is not my neck. Well what was I going to do? I bought the passport photos even though I knew they weren't photos of me. I'm sure when I go through customs they are going to wonder who the photo of the woman is in my passport. Just in case someone does confuse me with her I'm workng on a good excuse as to why a turtleneck is now part of my bathing suit and summer attire. Getting older just keeps getting better and better!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Day 58 - Rice Krispy Treats - a Recipe from the Devil!!!
I would like to know who discovered the recipe for Rice Krispy Treats. Is there anything simpler or much better then those little marshmallow covered Krispys? I made them for my daughter's track meet the other day and made the HUGE mistake of cleaning off the spoon (and maybe licking the bowl). I added the mini M&M's and that sticky mess was taken up one more level. So now I am dreaming about Rice Krispy Treats. I ran in the door to make dinner last night before a meeting and realized I had an extra 2 minutes to throw marshmallows & butter in the microwave and I still had the mini M&M's left. So there it was - a full pan of yumminess. Now what??!! Get them out of the house!! I have one daughter that doesn't like junk food and one that just got braces so leaving them in the house was not an option. I threw them on a plate, still warm and gooey, and took them to my meeting. That seemed to work well but it also left half a pan at home. Guess what I had for breakfast (before getting on the elliptical) and it was heavenly! I know, I know, just stop making this stuff... well here's what I have to say to that - I CAN'T!!!!
On a side note there is something I would like to point out - being a grown-up is hard. Bills to pay, kids to clothe & feed, a business to run, realtionships to nuture and a community to be a part of & for me a constant battle over food. I know that when I was be-bopping around during my teen years and my mom was telling me to enjoy this time because it's the best time of my life I remember thinking - you have got to be kidding me - I have pimples on my face, the boys I like don't like me, I have homework every night and I have a curfew - this is as good as it gets??? Shoot me now! And as we know - hind sight is always 20/20. Those were some pretty good years. But although life can be hard it can also be pretty amazing. I have learned what true friendship is. I have learned to love beyond what any words can describe. I have had the opportunity to work for myself. And I have learned what it feels like to be part of a community. So I guess growing up isn't so bad. Now if only sugar could somehow become good for you my life would be complete...
RECIPE OF THE DAY -
ASPARAGUS SOUP
Trim woody ends from 2 lb.asparagus; reserve tips of 8 spears. Cut remaining aspargus into 1/2-inch pieces. In a lg. saucepan, warm 3 T olive oil over low heat. Add 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped stalks celery, & 1 chopped carrot; cook 3 min. Add 1.5 tsp minced garlic; cook 1 min. Add asparagus, 1/4 tsp salt, & 1/4 tsp black pepper; cook 5 min. Add 5 C reduced sodium chicken broth. Simmer, cvd., 20 min. Blanch tips in boiling water 3 min. Drain. Puree soup in batches in a blender. Return to saucepan over medium; add 1/2 C evaporated 2% milk & 1 tsp lemon juice. Warm through (don't let simmer). top w/tips. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan (optional). Serves 4
On a side note there is something I would like to point out - being a grown-up is hard. Bills to pay, kids to clothe & feed, a business to run, realtionships to nuture and a community to be a part of & for me a constant battle over food. I know that when I was be-bopping around during my teen years and my mom was telling me to enjoy this time because it's the best time of my life I remember thinking - you have got to be kidding me - I have pimples on my face, the boys I like don't like me, I have homework every night and I have a curfew - this is as good as it gets??? Shoot me now! And as we know - hind sight is always 20/20. Those were some pretty good years. But although life can be hard it can also be pretty amazing. I have learned what true friendship is. I have learned to love beyond what any words can describe. I have had the opportunity to work for myself. And I have learned what it feels like to be part of a community. So I guess growing up isn't so bad. Now if only sugar could somehow become good for you my life would be complete...
RECIPE OF THE DAY -
ASPARAGUS SOUP
Trim woody ends from 2 lb.asparagus; reserve tips of 8 spears. Cut remaining aspargus into 1/2-inch pieces. In a lg. saucepan, warm 3 T olive oil over low heat. Add 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped stalks celery, & 1 chopped carrot; cook 3 min. Add 1.5 tsp minced garlic; cook 1 min. Add asparagus, 1/4 tsp salt, & 1/4 tsp black pepper; cook 5 min. Add 5 C reduced sodium chicken broth. Simmer, cvd., 20 min. Blanch tips in boiling water 3 min. Drain. Puree soup in batches in a blender. Return to saucepan over medium; add 1/2 C evaporated 2% milk & 1 tsp lemon juice. Warm through (don't let simmer). top w/tips. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan (optional). Serves 4
Monday, April 15, 2013
Day 56 - It's Time... Time for Plan B
That's it - I'm throwing in the towel on the pre-packaged food diet. I just can't do it anymore and it did what I needed it to do to get me started and get some of the weight off but it's time for me to graduate to real food. Now to pick a diet (because I absolutely cannot keep going on my own). I need direction, ideas, motivation & the big one - accountability. So this week I will make a decision - Weight Watchers is at the top of my list but I've been looking into TrimLine (congrats to a friend of mine, Sue, that lost over 50 pounds on that diet plan). The only problem with TrimLine is that there aren't any in the county I live in but I'm going to do a little more research about that one. Ideally, in my perfect world I would have a plethera of chubby friends that would all be on a mission to lose weight and we would share recipes, exercise together, encourage each other and weigh-in in front of each other (and probably wear matching t-shirts, lose a ton of weight and be featured on the Today show for such an inovative idea - hey, I said in my "perfect" world). But in my non-perfect reality - not all my friends are chubby and all of them are busy. We can't even make time for our weekly Wine Wednesday lunch. And if Wine isn't a big enough motivator then talking about being fat surely isn't going to bring them out in droves.
What about a private Facebook page where whoever wants to join can - fat or thin (we need input and ideas from the skinny people too). I did something like this (about a year ago) w/a group someone started locally and it seemed to work pretty well. They charged $20 to join and then at the end of 12 weeks whoever lost the largest percentage of body weight won the pot. Everyone that joins this page can post their recipes, their struggles, their exercise ideas, and once a week we post our weight (a photo of our feet on a scale w/the weight displayed). Would anyone be interested? Like I said it would be a private page - if you join you need to participate (no creepers allowed). Hmmm... I'm kind of liking this idea (and it would be cheaper). Let me know what you think.
Oh, and my excitement for the weekend was I dropped my iPhone in the toilet (yep after I used it - #1 only thank you Lord) and I was a little shocked by my reaction time - I pulled that little package of knowledge out so fast you would have thought it was one of my children. Wrapped it up in layers and layers of toilet paper (I wasn't home) and then left the bathroom carrying what looked like a tiny baby Jesus (all swaddled up like that). Stuffed it in a bag of rice as soon as I got home where it stayed all by itself for the weekend. Without my phone all weekend I felt like a mom that feels like they left their child somewhere and doesn't realize it for awhile - ask my kids - I did that to all of them. It was for very short periods of time so they were fine. You know what I mean, that constant reaching for your phone and then the split second panic - where is it? It was very stressful. It does appear to be working but I guess they rarely go unscathed after being submerged in toilet water but we'll see.
RECIPE OF THE DAY - Mine
VEGGIE PIZZA (The veggies are healthy but that's about the extent of it)
2 pkgs. reduced fat crescent rolls
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing
1 C low fat Mayo
1 - 8 oz. pkg 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1 C Grated low fat Cheddar Cheese
2/3 C each of Broccoli, Cauliflour, Carrots & Tomato
Spread rolls on cookie sheet & pinch edges together. Bake as directed & cool. Mix together mayo., ranch dressing, cream cheese & 1/2 of the veggies. Spread over crust. Top w/remaining veggies & cheese. YUM!
What about a private Facebook page where whoever wants to join can - fat or thin (we need input and ideas from the skinny people too). I did something like this (about a year ago) w/a group someone started locally and it seemed to work pretty well. They charged $20 to join and then at the end of 12 weeks whoever lost the largest percentage of body weight won the pot. Everyone that joins this page can post their recipes, their struggles, their exercise ideas, and once a week we post our weight (a photo of our feet on a scale w/the weight displayed). Would anyone be interested? Like I said it would be a private page - if you join you need to participate (no creepers allowed). Hmmm... I'm kind of liking this idea (and it would be cheaper). Let me know what you think.
Oh, and my excitement for the weekend was I dropped my iPhone in the toilet (yep after I used it - #1 only thank you Lord) and I was a little shocked by my reaction time - I pulled that little package of knowledge out so fast you would have thought it was one of my children. Wrapped it up in layers and layers of toilet paper (I wasn't home) and then left the bathroom carrying what looked like a tiny baby Jesus (all swaddled up like that). Stuffed it in a bag of rice as soon as I got home where it stayed all by itself for the weekend. Without my phone all weekend I felt like a mom that feels like they left their child somewhere and doesn't realize it for awhile - ask my kids - I did that to all of them. It was for very short periods of time so they were fine. You know what I mean, that constant reaching for your phone and then the split second panic - where is it? It was very stressful. It does appear to be working but I guess they rarely go unscathed after being submerged in toilet water but we'll see.
RECIPE OF THE DAY - Mine
VEGGIE PIZZA (The veggies are healthy but that's about the extent of it)
2 pkgs. reduced fat crescent rolls
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing
1 C low fat Mayo
1 - 8 oz. pkg 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1 C Grated low fat Cheddar Cheese
2/3 C each of Broccoli, Cauliflour, Carrots & Tomato
Spread rolls on cookie sheet & pinch edges together. Bake as directed & cool. Mix together mayo., ranch dressing, cream cheese & 1/2 of the veggies. Spread over crust. Top w/remaining veggies & cheese. YUM!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Day 52 - When Do You Decide to Take the Leap?
I'm curious as to where this NEED to bake has stemmed from. Wouldn't it be nice if it was a need to cook, or a need to clean, or a need to exercise. That would put me at a completely different place in my life if my "need" was different then what it is. My daughter in CO asked me for one of my recipes this morning and immediatley I wanted to run home and make it. My other daughter keeps asking me to go on her Pinterest Page and look at all the recipes for baking she has collected - I can't do it. I will stay up til all hours of the morning printing recipes and making my grocery list and then when I get a moment I will come up with a perfect reason to bake and bake and bake.
It's an addiction really. I actually convinced myself a little while back that baking is a workout for my arms. I never use a mixer so I have to stir all those cookie batters by hand. What I realized with that theory was that if it was true that flab on the upper part of my arms would not be flapping away when I'm stirring my workout cookies. I wonder if they have any "Baker Support Groups - Hi, I'm Becky and I'm a Baker. Anyone want a cookie or brownie, I have some in my purse." (You think I'm kidding, I'm not). I actually am known to carry baked goods on me or close to me. That's a problem!
So my thoughts are that maybe I can incorporate this need I have into a living. The problem is that for years and years I have given my baked goods away. I'm not sure how people would like if I started saying, "Do you want a cookie, give me a buck. Say what??? I never had to pay for them before..." Also, would I possibly ever get sick of eating cookie batter because that would have to happen quickly or sooner then later I will actually look like my Aunt Helen (that was explained in a previous blog). So I continue to put off my dream and come up with reasons/excuses why now is not the time (because I am making way too much money at my present job (I'm a realtor and a partner in a real estate company so that is extreme sarcasm)). But I wait. I wait for the time to "feel" right. I wait for me to be stronger financially. I wait for any possible reason to bounce around in my head to convince me I can't do it and I listen to it and wait.
Now this is soooo weird. I just went onto FB to see if I could find something motivational that someone posted that would fit my blog for today and my dear friend from high school just posted the following...
"
It's an addiction really. I actually convinced myself a little while back that baking is a workout for my arms. I never use a mixer so I have to stir all those cookie batters by hand. What I realized with that theory was that if it was true that flab on the upper part of my arms would not be flapping away when I'm stirring my workout cookies. I wonder if they have any "Baker Support Groups - Hi, I'm Becky and I'm a Baker. Anyone want a cookie or brownie, I have some in my purse." (You think I'm kidding, I'm not). I actually am known to carry baked goods on me or close to me. That's a problem!
So my thoughts are that maybe I can incorporate this need I have into a living. The problem is that for years and years I have given my baked goods away. I'm not sure how people would like if I started saying, "Do you want a cookie, give me a buck. Say what??? I never had to pay for them before..." Also, would I possibly ever get sick of eating cookie batter because that would have to happen quickly or sooner then later I will actually look like my Aunt Helen (that was explained in a previous blog). So I continue to put off my dream and come up with reasons/excuses why now is not the time (because I am making way too much money at my present job (I'm a realtor and a partner in a real estate company so that is extreme sarcasm)). But I wait. I wait for the time to "feel" right. I wait for me to be stronger financially. I wait for any possible reason to bounce around in my head to convince me I can't do it and I listen to it and wait.
Now this is soooo weird. I just went onto FB to see if I could find something motivational that someone posted that would fit my blog for today and my dear friend from high school just posted the following...
"
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Day 51 - What Kind of Motivation Works For Me?
Let's get one thing clear - watching me eat a plate of pasta - after not eating pasta for 49 days (but who's counting) and wondering at what point I'm going to use the little "To Go" container sitting next to me does not make me want to stop eating my incredibly, wonderful pasta halfway through because I'm on a "diet". It does make me reconsider picking my plate up and licking it clean so for that I appreciate the support you've given me.
I'm not sure what my rules are for the kind of support I would like from people on this diet adventure (I like to call it that now - it sounds more exciting doesn't it?) I know what doesn't work for me ~ when I have a glass of wine on the weekend with my dinner and my daughter says, "I thought you weren't supposed to have wine on your diet." My response, "I'm not, but it's the weekend." To which her response is "You're weak!" To which I slug her and knock her out of her chair and say "Who's weak now." Just kidding - I did that to her in my dream that night but not in real life. I used to beat my older daughter up all the time in my dreams (during her teen years) and then I couldn't wait to wake her up in the morning to tell her about it (with a big smile on my face because I felt great). She never thought it was funny. She didn't like me much during her teen years & I have to say the feelings were pretty mutual so it was the best I could do without being arrested. My poor kids - I wonder if they ever wonder what it would have been like to wake up with a mom that leaned more toward the normal side then waivered on the edge of crazy!!
So what kind of fatty am I? Who knows ~ I know I don't. I do know that by writing this blog I have been able to share a pretty important part of my life with all of you and it has been such a great tool for me to be able to keep the humor in this very challenging journey I started 51 days ago. Here's to the next 51 - hope you'll continue to join me on this roller coaster called my life ~ I like having you with me!
RECIPE OF THE DAY - Thank you for sharing Marj Kirchner
PAPAYA MANGO SMOOTHIE
Author: Pinch of Yum
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
2 large, ripe papayas
1 large, ripe mango
1 orange
... ¾ cup coconut milk (I used the kind from a can)
½ cup regular milk
1 tablespoon honey
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut the papayas in half and remove the seeds. Cut the peel off the halves, roughly chop the peeled papaya and place in the blender. Cut a mango in half around the pit (there’s a large pit down the middle), scoop the flesh out of each half and place in the blender. Peel an orange, separate the sections, roughly chop into small pieces, and place in the blender.
Cover the fruit with the coconut milk, regular milk, and honey. Blend until very smooth. Add ice and blend until smooth, or serve chilled.
NOTES
I don’t have a freezer so ice isn’t an option for me. Instead, I just keep all the ingredients in the fridge so when I want to make a smoothie, it’s all already cold and I don’t have to wait for it to chill.
I'm not sure what my rules are for the kind of support I would like from people on this diet adventure (I like to call it that now - it sounds more exciting doesn't it?) I know what doesn't work for me ~ when I have a glass of wine on the weekend with my dinner and my daughter says, "I thought you weren't supposed to have wine on your diet." My response, "I'm not, but it's the weekend." To which her response is "You're weak!" To which I slug her and knock her out of her chair and say "Who's weak now." Just kidding - I did that to her in my dream that night but not in real life. I used to beat my older daughter up all the time in my dreams (during her teen years) and then I couldn't wait to wake her up in the morning to tell her about it (with a big smile on my face because I felt great). She never thought it was funny. She didn't like me much during her teen years & I have to say the feelings were pretty mutual so it was the best I could do without being arrested. My poor kids - I wonder if they ever wonder what it would have been like to wake up with a mom that leaned more toward the normal side then waivered on the edge of crazy!!
So what kind of fatty am I? Who knows ~ I know I don't. I do know that by writing this blog I have been able to share a pretty important part of my life with all of you and it has been such a great tool for me to be able to keep the humor in this very challenging journey I started 51 days ago. Here's to the next 51 - hope you'll continue to join me on this roller coaster called my life ~ I like having you with me!
RECIPE OF THE DAY - Thank you for sharing Marj Kirchner
PAPAYA MANGO SMOOTHIE
Author: Pinch of Yum
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
2 large, ripe papayas
1 large, ripe mango
1 orange
... ¾ cup coconut milk (I used the kind from a can)
½ cup regular milk
1 tablespoon honey
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut the papayas in half and remove the seeds. Cut the peel off the halves, roughly chop the peeled papaya and place in the blender. Cut a mango in half around the pit (there’s a large pit down the middle), scoop the flesh out of each half and place in the blender. Peel an orange, separate the sections, roughly chop into small pieces, and place in the blender.
Cover the fruit with the coconut milk, regular milk, and honey. Blend until very smooth. Add ice and blend until smooth, or serve chilled.
NOTES
I don’t have a freezer so ice isn’t an option for me. Instead, I just keep all the ingredients in the fridge so when I want to make a smoothie, it’s all already cold and I don’t have to wait for it to chill.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Day 49 - Teenage Girls - Should Someone Be Teaching Them Compassion?
A bit of a different tone to my blog tonight because I am in Mom Mode and sometimes that is good and other times it means I want to hurt someone... Tonight it's the latter.
I still find reasons to bake so that helps me keep my sanity. My daughter runs track so I try to bake for her team on the days she has meets. I received the saddest text tonight from her which I will not post but I have to say that sometimes I wonder if teenage girls actually have a heart beating inside that cute little persona they appear to have on the outside. I am so tired of her struggles in school and the damage that is being done to her as a sensitive kid and my feeble attempts to make sure it doesn't ruin the amazing girl she is. So, I will continue to attempt to convince her that she is amazing and none of the kids in her life at school will be part of her life when she graduates from this place. We will surround her with family and friends that nurture her and make her realize that being who she is is better then being who she isn't to fit in. And most of all I will continue to thank God that I have an amazing teenager daughter that is caring & sensitive which seems to be a dying trait in so many others.
I apologize for my rant but I'm tired. I'm tired of being in a small community where I'm teaching my children the importance of giving back and how it comes back to you tenfold and then sitting back and waiting for that to happen to them and they wait, and they wait. I know as an adult that giving back really does work that way because I have experienced it first hand so I will continue to teach my girls that in time they too will experience it. In the meantime I will continue to cry over the heart break my daughter lives with through these teen years. I will continue to encourage all of my daughters to be strong women but to never lose the compassion that so many young women seem to be lacking. And most of all I will continue to be amazed at the strength they all have shown in being original and who they really are in their heart and soul without ever making someone else feel belittled or alone.
Tomorrow I'll be back to the fun side of my life (and I am blessed to have a wonderful fun part of my life everyday). Thanks for listening, for reading and for being part of all this - even if it's for a brief moment. I hope it brings you laughter & occasionally maybe even a tear or two. It's been quite an amazing, new & wonderful experience for me! See you tomorrow with a smile on my face!
I still find reasons to bake so that helps me keep my sanity. My daughter runs track so I try to bake for her team on the days she has meets. I received the saddest text tonight from her which I will not post but I have to say that sometimes I wonder if teenage girls actually have a heart beating inside that cute little persona they appear to have on the outside. I am so tired of her struggles in school and the damage that is being done to her as a sensitive kid and my feeble attempts to make sure it doesn't ruin the amazing girl she is. So, I will continue to attempt to convince her that she is amazing and none of the kids in her life at school will be part of her life when she graduates from this place. We will surround her with family and friends that nurture her and make her realize that being who she is is better then being who she isn't to fit in. And most of all I will continue to thank God that I have an amazing teenager daughter that is caring & sensitive which seems to be a dying trait in so many others.
I apologize for my rant but I'm tired. I'm tired of being in a small community where I'm teaching my children the importance of giving back and how it comes back to you tenfold and then sitting back and waiting for that to happen to them and they wait, and they wait. I know as an adult that giving back really does work that way because I have experienced it first hand so I will continue to teach my girls that in time they too will experience it. In the meantime I will continue to cry over the heart break my daughter lives with through these teen years. I will continue to encourage all of my daughters to be strong women but to never lose the compassion that so many young women seem to be lacking. And most of all I will continue to be amazed at the strength they all have shown in being original and who they really are in their heart and soul without ever making someone else feel belittled or alone.
Tomorrow I'll be back to the fun side of my life (and I am blessed to have a wonderful fun part of my life everyday). Thanks for listening, for reading and for being part of all this - even if it's for a brief moment. I hope it brings you laughter & occasionally maybe even a tear or two. It's been quite an amazing, new & wonderful experience for me! See you tomorrow with a smile on my face!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Day 48 - Does a Photo Tell a Lie??
I know you will find this hard to believe but I missed weigh-ins this week because I was home with brownies in the oven for my daughter's track meet. I do weigh myself on the scale in my kitchen and according to my scale I have hit my 20 pound mark but I will have that confirmed this Thursday where I will be reunited with the other half of the B Team. I saw her at the track meet and she is down almost 16 pounds and our goal is to drop another 10 by May. I'm in!!
In my mind I have this idea that because I've lost 20 pounds and I'm in a smaller size of pants I picture myself thin... The problem with that is that the pants I was in were a big size so although I'm in the next smaller size - they are still a BIG size. So my daughter took some pictures of me the other day when we were hiking and when I looked at them I thought "that is one chunky momma." OK, that wasn't really what I thought - it was more like "WTF" but softly so only I could hear it. Now prior to my fat reduction plan I avoided pictures like the plague so I don't have much to compare then & now to. Prior to the 20 pounds down I would allow head shots w/my head held a certain way to disguise the double chin that was always waiting close by to expose itself but never full body shots.
So this weekend it has been reaffirmed that I still have a way to go. I have to admit I thought I was looking much more svelte then I actually am ~ dang!! This diet thing is such a head game isn't it??!!
I met a dear friend of mine about a year ago over the phone - she was starting a new business, delivering cupcakes, cupcake bouquets & cakepops and I was telling her that I would help her anyway I could. She sounded sweet & fun and I was anxious to physically meet her figuring she had to be a "solid" girl if she was baking for a living. She walks into my office one day & here is this adorable, thin, petite, young girl that I thought was going to be a new bestie and my response at our first meeting was this ~ "Oh crap, we can't be friends, I can never lay beside you on the beach." She in turn seemed to like my wacked sense of humor and we actually have become great friends (but I have no plans to head to the beach with her anytime soon).
I have spent a great deal of my life (usually w/another good friend when we are out for an evening) strategically placing ourselves next to people that make us look better ~ you know what I mean... looking for the chubby chicks to stand next to. The one thing I've noticed is that I'm finding it harder to find people that makes that work for me anymore and I believe there are people that now stand beside me ~ the chubby chick ~ for the exact same reason. Like they say, what goes around comes around...
RECIPE OF THE DAY - CURRY CHILI from Dave Crocco
1-Lb lean ground beef browned, add 1 large diced onion and saute for a few minutes, then add 1 can rotel tomatoes, 1 can coconut milk, 1 large table spoon of red curry paste, a couple sprinkles of chili powder and a squirt of shiracha hot sauce. Turn the heat down and simmer for ten minutes. Add a lot of frozen peas (or beans - black or pinto or a combo) and bring back to a simmer. Serve.
THANKS DAVE!!
In my mind I have this idea that because I've lost 20 pounds and I'm in a smaller size of pants I picture myself thin... The problem with that is that the pants I was in were a big size so although I'm in the next smaller size - they are still a BIG size. So my daughter took some pictures of me the other day when we were hiking and when I looked at them I thought "that is one chunky momma." OK, that wasn't really what I thought - it was more like "WTF" but softly so only I could hear it. Now prior to my fat reduction plan I avoided pictures like the plague so I don't have much to compare then & now to. Prior to the 20 pounds down I would allow head shots w/my head held a certain way to disguise the double chin that was always waiting close by to expose itself but never full body shots.
So this weekend it has been reaffirmed that I still have a way to go. I have to admit I thought I was looking much more svelte then I actually am ~ dang!! This diet thing is such a head game isn't it??!!
I met a dear friend of mine about a year ago over the phone - she was starting a new business, delivering cupcakes, cupcake bouquets & cakepops and I was telling her that I would help her anyway I could. She sounded sweet & fun and I was anxious to physically meet her figuring she had to be a "solid" girl if she was baking for a living. She walks into my office one day & here is this adorable, thin, petite, young girl that I thought was going to be a new bestie and my response at our first meeting was this ~ "Oh crap, we can't be friends, I can never lay beside you on the beach." She in turn seemed to like my wacked sense of humor and we actually have become great friends (but I have no plans to head to the beach with her anytime soon).
I have spent a great deal of my life (usually w/another good friend when we are out for an evening) strategically placing ourselves next to people that make us look better ~ you know what I mean... looking for the chubby chicks to stand next to. The one thing I've noticed is that I'm finding it harder to find people that makes that work for me anymore and I believe there are people that now stand beside me ~ the chubby chick ~ for the exact same reason. Like they say, what goes around comes around...
RECIPE OF THE DAY - CURRY CHILI from Dave Crocco
1-Lb lean ground beef browned, add 1 large diced onion and saute for a few minutes, then add 1 can rotel tomatoes, 1 can coconut milk, 1 large table spoon of red curry paste, a couple sprinkles of chili powder and a squirt of shiracha hot sauce. Turn the heat down and simmer for ten minutes. Add a lot of frozen peas (or beans - black or pinto or a combo) and bring back to a simmer. Serve.
THANKS DAVE!!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Day 45 - Friends, Family and My Mom...
What a wonderful day yesterday. It was a day of friendship and a wonderful reminder to me of all the blessings in my life. I heard from friends by voicemail, text messages, took a trip to Philly with friends I love to hang with and got encouraging posts on facebook from family and friends. The best message I think of all came in a text from my 14 year old daughter I wrote about yesteday and it said, "I saw your blog : )" Again, a reminder that life reallly is about the little things.
So today I will return to my quest to rid myself of my fat that has become so consuming of who I am and who I want to be. I have to be honest ~ this week has been a struggle. I could make a list of all the reasons I strayed from my goal to control and conquer this fight I'm having within myself but instead I will spare you and I will recommit!
I have not shared with my mom that I'm on a diet - for a number of reasons. First of all they have been in Florida since Jan. 1 returning this past weekend for Easter. She is not on a computer nor will she be so it's safe to say she won't be reading my blog anytime soon. Another reason, my mom is small and thin and she can still cause fear in grown men and women! Maybe because she was forced to play Mumbly Peg with her brothers growing up or because their family went from being a very successful family to suffering the affects of the depression and moving up and down the east coast to wherever her father could find work. Or a number of other reasons that made that generation tougher then nails. Anyway, she has ALWAYS taken care of herself. There is a picture of her holding me at a few weeks old and she's wearing her skinny jeans - what the heck!!! My mother has also never been gentle with her words. Never mean or loud - just firm and direct. We grew up with "that shirt makes you look fat" (OK, that's pretty mean) or "If you don't stop eating you are going to grow up to look like your Aunt Helen" (OK, that one is pretty mean too because she was like a manly, massive drill instructor that was as mean as they come - God rest her soul : ). My mom was doing workouts to Jack LaLane when no other women were doing workouts. The true miracle in all of this is that my sister and I aren't anorexic. Somehow we would hear the comments and cristicism and then go on our merry way eating what made us happy. As I've gotten older she doesn't say much to me anymore - I think I've finally worn her down but my dad is now the brunt of her mission to make someone thinner and he too seems to smile and then pray that I've brought some goodies to the office for him to indulge in.
My plan is not to tell her. The way I will know that I have lost enough weight for someone to notice will be the day my mom says, "Are you losing weight?" Until that happens I will forge ahead!!!
So today I will return to my quest to rid myself of my fat that has become so consuming of who I am and who I want to be. I have to be honest ~ this week has been a struggle. I could make a list of all the reasons I strayed from my goal to control and conquer this fight I'm having within myself but instead I will spare you and I will recommit!
I have not shared with my mom that I'm on a diet - for a number of reasons. First of all they have been in Florida since Jan. 1 returning this past weekend for Easter. She is not on a computer nor will she be so it's safe to say she won't be reading my blog anytime soon. Another reason, my mom is small and thin and she can still cause fear in grown men and women! Maybe because she was forced to play Mumbly Peg with her brothers growing up or because their family went from being a very successful family to suffering the affects of the depression and moving up and down the east coast to wherever her father could find work. Or a number of other reasons that made that generation tougher then nails. Anyway, she has ALWAYS taken care of herself. There is a picture of her holding me at a few weeks old and she's wearing her skinny jeans - what the heck!!! My mother has also never been gentle with her words. Never mean or loud - just firm and direct. We grew up with "that shirt makes you look fat" (OK, that's pretty mean) or "If you don't stop eating you are going to grow up to look like your Aunt Helen" (OK, that one is pretty mean too because she was like a manly, massive drill instructor that was as mean as they come - God rest her soul : ). My mom was doing workouts to Jack LaLane when no other women were doing workouts. The true miracle in all of this is that my sister and I aren't anorexic. Somehow we would hear the comments and cristicism and then go on our merry way eating what made us happy. As I've gotten older she doesn't say much to me anymore - I think I've finally worn her down but my dad is now the brunt of her mission to make someone thinner and he too seems to smile and then pray that I've brought some goodies to the office for him to indulge in.
My plan is not to tell her. The way I will know that I have lost enough weight for someone to notice will be the day my mom says, "Are you losing weight?" Until that happens I will forge ahead!!!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Day 44 - Are You Happy With Your Life?
Taking a break today from talking about food, fat and frustration.
Instead I'm going to dig a little deeper with the question of the day - Are you happy with your life?
I was laying with my 14 year old daughter last night and she was asking me some pretty tough questions. Now I have to tell you, I had had one of the most emotional and disappointing days of my life (although she didn't know that) so it was an interesting conversation to end my day. The questions went like this: "What if I don't live long enough to do everything I want to do? Why do we have to work most of our lives when there are so many things to do, who came up with that? Have you (me) done everything you want to do in your life? and the BIG one ~ Are you happy with your life?" Wow, where has she come from to have the depth and emotion she feels about her life? I thought most teenagers thought about boys and never looked up from their phones.
So I spent most of the night thinking about those questions ~ especially the one "Are you happy with your life?" My response to her was that I am. I have 4 wonderful daughters, 3 grandchildren (which will increase to 5 by the end of the summer) and I still have both of my parents. I have a job I don't dread and people I respect and enjoy working with. I have friends. I have a roof over my head and food to put on my table. That seems like a pretty good life. BUT am I happy with my life? I'm not sure I ever put much thought into it. Am I doing what I dreamed of doing ~ no. Have I accomplished everything I thought I would have by now ~ no. Am I who I want to be ~ no. So am I happy with my life - oddly enough I am. So I have to ask myself if I'm settling and sometimes I think I am. I should have bigger and better goals & then push myelf to achieve them. I should send people I love birthday cards. I should learn patience. If I did all those things I wonder if that would make me happier? Hmmm...
Ahhh to be 14 and have your whole life ahead of you to create and be whatever it is you want to be. I know they say you're never too old to do and be whatever it is you want to be but I do know for a fact that making that happen becomes more and more difficult the older you get. You have commitments and obligations. You have a mortgage & car payment. You have other people that depend on you. Becoming who you thought you would be becomes harder and harder the older you get. So my hopes and dreams for my girls are to seize the day, make a plan, work hard and most of all ~ Be happy with your life!! In the meantime I'm going to put some more thought into her thought provoking questions. Amazing how if I slow down long enough to listen my kids are constantly teaching me things I would never learn in my crazy, hectic world. Thanks Girls!!!
Instead I'm going to dig a little deeper with the question of the day - Are you happy with your life?
I was laying with my 14 year old daughter last night and she was asking me some pretty tough questions. Now I have to tell you, I had had one of the most emotional and disappointing days of my life (although she didn't know that) so it was an interesting conversation to end my day. The questions went like this: "What if I don't live long enough to do everything I want to do? Why do we have to work most of our lives when there are so many things to do, who came up with that? Have you (me) done everything you want to do in your life? and the BIG one ~ Are you happy with your life?" Wow, where has she come from to have the depth and emotion she feels about her life? I thought most teenagers thought about boys and never looked up from their phones.
So I spent most of the night thinking about those questions ~ especially the one "Are you happy with your life?" My response to her was that I am. I have 4 wonderful daughters, 3 grandchildren (which will increase to 5 by the end of the summer) and I still have both of my parents. I have a job I don't dread and people I respect and enjoy working with. I have friends. I have a roof over my head and food to put on my table. That seems like a pretty good life. BUT am I happy with my life? I'm not sure I ever put much thought into it. Am I doing what I dreamed of doing ~ no. Have I accomplished everything I thought I would have by now ~ no. Am I who I want to be ~ no. So am I happy with my life - oddly enough I am. So I have to ask myself if I'm settling and sometimes I think I am. I should have bigger and better goals & then push myelf to achieve them. I should send people I love birthday cards. I should learn patience. If I did all those things I wonder if that would make me happier? Hmmm...
Ahhh to be 14 and have your whole life ahead of you to create and be whatever it is you want to be. I know they say you're never too old to do and be whatever it is you want to be but I do know for a fact that making that happen becomes more and more difficult the older you get. You have commitments and obligations. You have a mortgage & car payment. You have other people that depend on you. Becoming who you thought you would be becomes harder and harder the older you get. So my hopes and dreams for my girls are to seize the day, make a plan, work hard and most of all ~ Be happy with your life!! In the meantime I'm going to put some more thought into her thought provoking questions. Amazing how if I slow down long enough to listen my kids are constantly teaching me things I would never learn in my crazy, hectic world. Thanks Girls!!!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Day 43 - Something Came Over Me...
I have no idea what happened to me yesterday but if there was food in front of me, close to me, somewhere in the same room with me - I ate it! I ate sugar, I ate carbs and I was basically out of control. I had become the person I was 6.5 weeks ago ~ very scarey!!! I even stepped on the scale this a.m. and there is some damage done that needs to be fixed in the next 3 days. I wonder what little switch got turned off that made me lose my focus ~ whatever it was I need to figure it out so that switch gets turned back on. It is so frustrating that the bad habits I had, that I thought I had overcome, are actually sitting there just waiting to rear their ugly head and take me back to my fat ways. So I'm going to go with the theory that today is a new day, don't look back, back to the program.
My partner in fatness had been sick and we have drifted away from our diet partnership and I have never been good on my own. We need to get the B Team back together or I need to recruit someone that will stay on my butt and help to keep me on track. Weird that at 50 years old I still need someone to hold my hand when I need to get something done! That probably involves counseling more so then a diet buddy but that's a whole different Blog.
In honor of my Ninja Smoothie Maker that I purchased yesterday the recipe of the day is for, you guessed it - a smoothie!! I can't wait to try it out. Seems like a great thing to have with warmer weather on the horizon. The challenge for me will be to not add my adult beverages to my thick, wonderful, cold, cup of yumminess...
Recipe of the Day -
FAVORITE SMOOTHIE RECIPE - From Sue Getz Kleinfelter
Peel and freeze a banana. Blend 1 frozen banana, 1 cup of pineapple, 1/2-1 whole mango and a hand full of kale leaves (pull off the hard stem) and 1 cup of almond coconut milk (or whatever type of milk you use). Blend it - it will be green but it is very good for breakfast.
THANKS SUE!!!
My partner in fatness had been sick and we have drifted away from our diet partnership and I have never been good on my own. We need to get the B Team back together or I need to recruit someone that will stay on my butt and help to keep me on track. Weird that at 50 years old I still need someone to hold my hand when I need to get something done! That probably involves counseling more so then a diet buddy but that's a whole different Blog.
In honor of my Ninja Smoothie Maker that I purchased yesterday the recipe of the day is for, you guessed it - a smoothie!! I can't wait to try it out. Seems like a great thing to have with warmer weather on the horizon. The challenge for me will be to not add my adult beverages to my thick, wonderful, cold, cup of yumminess...
Recipe of the Day -
FAVORITE SMOOTHIE RECIPE - From Sue Getz Kleinfelter
Peel and freeze a banana. Blend 1 frozen banana, 1 cup of pineapple, 1/2-1 whole mango and a hand full of kale leaves (pull off the hard stem) and 1 cup of almond coconut milk (or whatever type of milk you use). Blend it - it will be green but it is very good for breakfast.
THANKS SUE!!!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Day 42 - Uh oh... An Easter Set Back!
I've been MIA for a few days and I have to be honest - I haven't stepped on the scale and now I'm afraid to. Had a great weekend in Washington DC which means I ate things I shouldn've and drank some good wine. Also, I got to celebrate my first holiday since my diet began and I have to say I didn't fare well. This is a holiday that revolves around a wonderful meal of comfort food & candy - I can pretty much say no to the candy but my job is to bring the dessert to the family dinner. Their lies my problem - cookie batter!!
The good news - I only ate one meal, I skipped the filling and the garlic mashed potatoes. The bad news - I ate some of the crisp, wonderful skin from the turkey and it was amazing and took me to my happy place. The other bad news is I drank a glass or three of Pinot Noir (which also took me to my happy place). I did get on the elliptical last night but I don't think that will offset the calories I consumed.
So today I will drink my meals (unfortunately not Pinot Noir or Vodka) and tomorrow I will fast. Weigh-ins are Thursday and I have to hit my 20 pound mark. I did buy the Body for Life book this weekend so I'll start to read up on that 12 week plan and see if that might work for me. In the mean time I'm blasting my music, dancing around my kitchen (maybe that's the problem - I need to get out of the kitchen), and with the warmer weather I'm heading outside to do some walking. I offered to run with my daughter (she's on the track team) but she is not OK with running with someone with a bladder problem - KIDS - the smallest thing bothers them... So for now, off to the elliptical I go.
The good news - I only ate one meal, I skipped the filling and the garlic mashed potatoes. The bad news - I ate some of the crisp, wonderful skin from the turkey and it was amazing and took me to my happy place. The other bad news is I drank a glass or three of Pinot Noir (which also took me to my happy place). I did get on the elliptical last night but I don't think that will offset the calories I consumed.
So today I will drink my meals (unfortunately not Pinot Noir or Vodka) and tomorrow I will fast. Weigh-ins are Thursday and I have to hit my 20 pound mark. I did buy the Body for Life book this weekend so I'll start to read up on that 12 week plan and see if that might work for me. In the mean time I'm blasting my music, dancing around my kitchen (maybe that's the problem - I need to get out of the kitchen), and with the warmer weather I'm heading outside to do some walking. I offered to run with my daughter (she's on the track team) but she is not OK with running with someone with a bladder problem - KIDS - the smallest thing bothers them... So for now, off to the elliptical I go.
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