Here I Go Again

So it's obviously been awhile since I've been on my blog....but it's also been awhile since I was on the right track too. Since getting off the diet I have gained back 6 pounds. SO today is the beginning of round two., THE REAL beginning....not the fake one that I tried a while back. So far so good. Yogurt for breakfast, chicken for lunch, carrots and cauliflower....so far on track! So let me reset my ticker at the top and begin again.

HAHA!!!

WHOOPIE!!! 143 baby!!! So this week has been full of changes for me. New school year for the kids, got my haircut....by a professional!!! Not my hubby in the dining room this time but a real professional...who happens to be a friend. But it was great. LOVE IT! A new piercing (which is #4 now and which I know me saying that will probably create a phone call from my mom, but it's really ok mom). Next week is another surprise change and I can't wait! BUT the best part of my week was getting on the scale this morning and seeing 143...or 142 depending on how I stood, so I will take 143 and run with it. I am amazed! I kinda fell off the wagon for a little bit, not bad but not perfect. Then hubby in his superman-likeness caught his damsel in distress and got her back on the horse. Golly, he is amazing. Maybe it's the shock from changing back to the good food that did it. Not sure. My face had been starting to break out and I've decided that carbs are really not my friend. If I eat them with caution, my face is clear. But throwing them back in like last week.....woofy...acne all over the place. NOT FUN AT 32!! But I'm back on the downward again and life is grand!

Life is good

After a lllllloooooonnnnnnngggggg weekend, I am back to write somemore. And I have great news! Ok well not spectacular, but over the holiday, I have gained NOTHING! Not even an pound. How good does that feel? Um pretty darn good. 144 and holding. This lifestyle change has helped IMMENSLY! And I know I still have the 9 pounds to lose, but I'm not sweating it at this point. We are coming into fall and this will be a great time for me to start (I know I keep saying this) START toning, which will then lead to the rest to go away or get to where I am supposed to be. I hope that I can not go overboard with eating though. Last night I came VERY close to losing it. Thank you to my hubby who whisked the ice cream out of my hand and replaced it with yogurt....awwww. I know. Life is good.

nope

I haven't really had anything to talk about the last couple of days. Sorry for not popsting though. It keeps me in check. The scale has not moved. 144 and I'm good with that....for now. I have started adding a little more excercise back in, but not to much as my calorie intake is still low. I wonder if I just spiked the calories REALLY high for one day, what that would do to me.....not sure I'm ready to find that out yet. LOL That's really all I have today. Hopefully, tomorrow the scale will have budged again and I will be able to report some good news.

Oh BOTHER

Oh you darn weekends. I used to love you! Ok, I still do. And I know everyone deserves the weekends, BUT NOT MY WILL POWER!!!! That thing has no right to take a couple days off! I stuck so well to everything this weekend....until Sunday. That's when the pizza and cookies appeared. I kept telling myself to only have 1 piece of pizza.....of course that was during my second piece.And only 1 cookie...ok 2. And NO pretzels..except they looked so good. But definitly stay away from the garlic butter dipping sauce.....or not. OH and then there was the soda. I NEVER DRINK SODA! EVER!! But it was so hot by the lake, and I didn't see the waterbottle in front of me...just 1 glass. Ok, so now its out there. Me, the advocate for the 17 Day Diet SUCKS AT CONTROLLING HERSELF!!!! Every Monday seems to be the same thing...I will do better this week. I will not give in! Well, here I go again. And this week its back to couch to 5k. Neighbors, this mean look out cause we are running this week!!! LOL

I'll show YOU!

ARGH. Why do I do that? I pump myself up just to let myself down. I was going to run last night....until I got home. Then, I ran alright, into a brick wall. Of course AFTER dinner hubby says, "I was gonna run with you tonight, how come you didn't go?" WHAT!!!! Oh its on now mister. I'll show you running....or jogging....or wogging...well whatever it is, I'll show YOU! LOL This ought to be interesting. My question today is this. Why do I have to push to lose weight, but he just says he's losing weight and does? It's not fair! I will be happy for him though because he had a few LBs to lose too. Still, not fair.

soooooo good

Awake....at least I think I am. Last night was taken from me by that evil thing called GROCERY SHOPPING! So not fun. Tonight I start the couch to 5k again. I lost a pound. I had pizza....wait what? Where did the pizza thing come from. No I really did have pizza, and not cauliflower either! REAL Pizza and still down a pound! The trick, I'm not sure yet but I think it has to do with the fact that the stairs were involved yesterday and the pizza up-ped my calories. It does work and maybe pizza wasn't the BEST choice to up those calories but it was soooooo good. And it totally helped pump me up again. Today's lunch is what I call....oh heck there's no name for it. Its canned chicken with chopped onions, chopped celery, parm cheese, garlic powder and olive oil. Really wanted the salsa on it instead but forgot to buy it last night! POOP. Chin up, core in, shoulders straight.....walking on through the day!

TODAY!

What will it take? I have these last 10 pounds that I have been struggling with. I was starting to get discouraged again last night. In fact, so much so that I was actually in the cupboard telling my self to eat something bad. I figure that way I would have something to feel guilty about that made sense. Come on Bethie, you have lost 20 pounds so far! The last 10 shouldn't bug you so much. So, this morning when I woke up and started feeling sorry for the fact that I am stuck, I smacked myself on the head. And it HURT! Knock it off, stupid. You have done so good so far. That 10 pounds is going to be the hardest because your body is starting to build more muscle. Remember, you were the one who wanted to tone up too. I'm done feeling bad, and ready to kick that 10 pounds A**!! Look out family. I am kicking into workout mode, and it won't be pretty! Jillian is making a comeback, Couch to 5k is on the list, and heck maybe even that chair dance video that I HAD to have may get to come out......ok maybe not. The stairs are going to be walked, the weights are going to be used for something other than holding the bedroom door open. I am kicking my own butt and it starts..........TODAY! Stop it brain, today not tomorrow, not next week, TODAY! After grocery shopping.....TODAY!!!

Not too bad!

After a long weekend, the weight is......146! Can you believe that after a weekend away from a scale and anything healthy that I would only be up to 146! I am shocked! Probably has a lot to do with the millions of miles we walked or all the laughter. It was quite the trip. We had a lot of fun with a few downs. Hopefully nothing to scarring. I had more fun than not so I hope the same goes for the rest of the crew. Tired, very tired. I was going to restart the couch to 5k today but I think I will hold off until tomorrow. I still have 3 days of the week left at that point so I should be fine. I am even more motivated to shed the last 10 pounds than I was before. It's amazing what seeing other people will do to you. I could definitly tell those who worked for there bodies and those who didn't care. As much I want to be one that doesn't have to care or work for it, I am 32 and the odds are stacked against me. So now is the time to work those last pounds off and tone, tone, tone. Wish me luck!

Darn Cookies!

I have decided that cookies should not be allowed to be anywhere near me! Last night was the wrap up for hubby's horseshoes for the year. They had a lot of food. Thankfully I stayed away from most of it....except those really soft and delicious m&m cookies....I had 3! YES 3!!!! Ok, maybe 4. Why? Why? Why? I don't know! They were so inviting and they looked so lonely. And it was then that I realized I had forgotten my big girl pants at home and the little girl in me was VERY present. Today I HAVE to walk the stairs because I haven't done anything since Tuesday and I think its starting to show! LOL.

Tomorrow we leave for the BIG RACE! I am so excited but scared at the same time. I know how I get on weekends and then to add the race in! I keep thinking I should bring the scale and then I think I shouldn't. Its only 4 days. And if willpower tags along, I should be good! Right? Wish me luck anyway!

144.5

So yesterday was night 2 of the couch to 5k. It felt great! I had to work at keeping my calories up though. I don't know what it is. I'm just not hungry through out the day. So I'm trying something different today. My lunch is pretty high in calories. We will see how that goes. I was down to 144.5 this morning, so that's good.

I Did It!

Last night I actually finally went out and did the first walk/run for the couch to 5k. I didn't die, I didn't fall and I didn't feel stupid either! I felt great! So hopefully I can fit in 2 more this week like it suggests. Not sure though. Wednesday is horseshoes, Friday we leave for the race, Thursday I'll be taking the kid and dog to their prospective places for the weekend. That leaves today. I'll atleast try to get it in again today.

No weight loss to report today (well .5 of a pound down). Although it bothers me, I know it shouldn't. I hate plateaus. Its my own fault I think. As hard as I try to stick to it, when the budget says no to some things you just can't eat them until the next paycheck. That is what this week has been like. I ran out of yogurt again, I am feasting on carrots only and to fill in for the gaps at dinner, I've been eating noodles....not horrible but not right for c1! Its ok though. I am adding more excercise now with the couch to 5k, so lets hope I see the scale move tomorrow.

Never a good time.

146. Yup, all I gained this weekend was .5! WOOT WOOT! That included a family reunion FULL of horrible choices! My thinking is the laughter made up for it! What a great time.

I hear a lot of people (myself included) saying that summer is a horrible time to try to lose weight. All of the events, and parties that happen. BUT if I think about it, there is NO good time for dieting. Ok here's why I say this. Thinkk of your favorite season. Why is it your favorite? Mine is spring. Spring means everything is coming back to life, it means the sun is out and the rain falls and the snow is mostly gone. Ok BUT spring is also when the first outdoor parties start up again. Its when Easter is, its when we gear up for summer. Lots of food. Ok so I'll go to fall then. Fall is my other favorite. EXCEPT, fall is when the leaves are falling, its starting to chill off. The bon fires pick up more and so do the smores.  Thanksgiving, Halloween. The big chunky stews and warm tea. The vegging in front of the fire. And then its winter. And we ALL stock up on comfort food in the winter. Stew, roasts, dumplings, etc.....Plus Christmas and New Years, Valentines day (which is bad for anyone-honey or no honey we are ALL eating the candy and taking ourselves out for dinner! Or drinking the alcohol to forget we are single.) So really its never a good time to start dieting. The season is just an excuse. Its never a good time if you look at it from that perspective. It is ALWAYS a good idea to start getting healthy. Any day that you finally find the will power to fight past the season and the next party, is the right time to diet. If you don't want to feel healthy, fine. But please don't use the excuse like I did for so many years....There is Never a good time to start dieting, because there is a good time to start...How about now?

Oops I did it again.....

Ok, so down to 145.5 today. Almost back to where I was last weekend.  I can so do this. I gave into a bread temptation though last night. 6 inch Subway Sweet Onion Teriyake on 9 Grain Wheat. My thought was low fat. I should have said hold the bread. All it did was remind me how much I miss bread! It was so delicious that I just stared at my hubbys sandwich, wanting to take just one little bite of the bread. But I didn't. Other than that, I did pretty good yesterday. Had a good walk last night with a friend, while waiting for our stinky husbands to get done with horseshoes.

Today, it's back to the grind of the stairs and good foods. I have just over a week to prepare for the big NASCAR race and have a feeling I will meet another goal before then. I am happy.

nothing

Moving down the scale, back at 146. Getting there! Only a few more pounds to meet my weekly goal! YAY! I really have nothing for today. Just remember to walk with your chin up no matter what. You were made in a beautiful way and are loved for who you are, not what you want to be. Getting to the point of who you want to be takes the mistakes you make and love you receive from yourself. Good luck!

Superman Ice Cream

Scale moving down. This is good. 147. Getting there....again! White fish last night. Not sure if its legal on c1 but I figure, fish is fish. It was probably one of the best frozen fish I have ever had! I'm thinking I should recalculate my goal. Lets go with 7 pounds for the week. Which would put me at 141. Now wouldn't THAT look nice on the scale!

I was asked last night by my 6 year old if superman ice cream was on my diet. Boy do I wish it was! Quit waving it in front of me kid or it WILL be on my diet! LOL. He calmly took a step backward and walked backward out of the kitchen....waving his spoon at me. Got to love the things kids do. NOT! I wanted to chase him down and tackle him and take that bowl and clean it out. But I didn't. I controlled myself. I grabbed my yogurt and mixed some cocoa in it and enjoyed that instead. My son calls it my fake ice cream. But hey kid at least you got to keep yours! LOL

What the?

So my conquering 145 was overturned by stupidity this weekend. I am telling you, if my life was a comic book, the arch-enemy would be weekends. I hate them. No really I love them but I hate them. I went from 145 to 148 AGAIN! I HATE 148. 145 looked so much nicer. So back to square one this week. This weeks goal is to get to 142. 6 pounds. I think it is do-able. If I could do 5 in less than a week, then I can do 6 in a week.I know where the bad choices were and what I should have done, or should not have done. So, this week is back to the grind. I really didn't fall off the wagon this weekend except for the amount of bread I had. That's one of the hardest parts for me, the bread. I LOVE BREAD! I am a self proclaimed bread geek! Anyway. This week will be no bread and I should be good.

When I was younger this whole arguement with weight was not anything I had to deal with. Its very discouraging to be this way. I have come a long way though. I have to remember where I was when I started and where I am now.

145

So I did it! That goal I was trying to hit for the week. I hit it! 145!!! YIPPEE!!! 10 to go! Hopefully, this weekend doesn't push me backwards. I am prepared. I have carrots and water and tea and turkey to help me. So wish me luck as I have no stairs to help me this weekend! I will conquer and maybe for once be able to count downward afterwards!!! LOL

Farm Market

146. I know its only a pound, but I finally broke through again. There is only one way this scale is moving from now on...and that is DOWN! I visited the farmers market yesterday and let me tell you, if you haven't been to a farm market before and you live anywhere near Lansing, MI, you should check this one out. I think they have 2 more this year. I'll try to find out and post it. It has been a LONG time since I had been to a real farm market, probably a good 20 years. I remember going with my frind Stephanie's family one time. I really thought it was cool then! This time though...WOW. That's all I have to say. There were so many vendors and the people watching (my fave) was phenominal. Of course fruits and veggies are a little more but you are helping the local farmers so who cares! There were veggies there that I had never heard of. I know, I have my own garden in my yard, but I needed veggies for the day and they just happened to have some yummy zuchinni and green beans. Saved my life! If you have a local farm market, give it a try. You might be surprised what you find there!

Any way. Like I said 146 and cruising. I wish there was a cruise button on this body. That would be great! LOL

NO VEGGIES!

So at 147 again. So that means 2 pounds down on r3c1d3. Today is day 4. I must say, I am sooooo tired. But still, I love seeing the scale move down. Problem for today...NO VEGGIES LEFT IN THE HOUSE! Lucky for me, the annual Farmers Market on the Capitol lawn is today and that means fresh veggies are only 2 blocks away! YIPPEE!! Hopefully I can wait until 10 when they open to go get a snack. Its not going to be easy. Especially since the cafeteria is 5 floors below me with chocolate! I can do this. I have my mind set in the right place and my body is getting there!

What are some of your cravings and how do you fight them? I need ideas for this round. Plus everyone else reading this would love to have ideas too! So tell me. What are they and how do you combat them?

5K?

HA! The scale is moving again....in the RIGHT direction this time! This morning I was down to 147.5. I was so glad to see that. The downer for the day, I was walking into work when I realized I forgot to put my belt on AND I wore my fat jeans. This ought to make for an interesting day.  My confession for yesterday....popcorn...before I left work. And then hubby let me cave into a Peppermint Patty at bedtime. I know, I know, stop scolding! They were soooo good though. Today's splurge....NOTHING! Today I will hit the stairs as usual and move this scale down. I have also decided (and hopefully my high school track coach doesn't read this) that I am going to start training for a 5k that is run at my sons school for charity. This takes place in October. I have printed out the plan from my friends blog for the Couch to 5K plan. Her blog is http://cglifestylechange.blogspot.com/. You should check it out. It seems like I might get somewhere with this! But I'm not going to call it training, I'm going to call it getting off my butt at home and trying to get in shape! That's what comes after you lose the weight.. I know, I always thought the tight abs showed up on their own too! Not so! LOL

Loser!

Day 2 of r3 of c1. So far so good. No weight change on day 1-that is normal though. I could feel the change again after yesterday. My body cleansing itself again. The hydrating of itself. The acne is starting to fade again....there wasn't much but after not having any for a few weeks, I was ready for it to leave again! Wondering what today will hold. I know the stairs will be used as usual. Yesterday was floor 4 to 7 to 1 to 5 to 4. Todays goal is 4 to 7 to 1 to 6 to 1 to 4. Let's see if it works out or not. Batteling a little headache today with the weather changes going on outside so hopefully that won't hinder my walk. I'm learning to look forward to those darn stairs now. I actually (and don't tell anyone this) kind of missed them this weekend!! I KNOW....WHO MISSES STAIRS! I DO! LOL. So again, onward, upward and downward. Let's see that scale TRY to stay still.....HA I am a loser baby...In the BEST sense of the word!

Bikini!!!

Today starts the cycle over. This weekend reekd total havoc on my diet. Luckily, I can say that I only gained 2 pounds. But still. TOTALLY NOT HAPPY! I did, however, wear a bikini this weekend!!!! First time since before having my son almost 7 years ago! So cool! And I had my first double take. Girls, you know what I'm talking about. You're walking down the street and the car drives by, and the dirver looks and then cranks his neck to look again. It doesn't matter how old he is, it still makes you feel good to see it happen again! Boosted my self esteem for the moment. Heck, even hubby was a little proud of that! LOL

Anyway, back to the reason for my post today (besides not posting all weekend). Today starts the beginning of cycle 1 again. And this time I mean business. Pullin thsoe belts on tight...boogity boogity boogity...lets get losing girl!I am just under 3 weeks until NASCAR, and I feel so good. I can't wait. What's even better is that I set so many goals so far, and blew right through them! I am focused and giving it my all again. So after I post this, I will change the weight on the tracker to reflect my weight today (which is hard bc that means it is going up) BUT now I know what I need to do. 4 pounds this week would be awesome, get me to 145. I will not feel bad if I don't hit it though. LOOK OUT BELOW 135 ....here I come!!!!!

Walking on Sunshine

147 today!!!! Yippee! 12 to go! Yesterday, besides having to take the elevator for training, I used the stairs the rest of the day. I even did a round on lunch; 4th to 7th, 7th to 1st, 1st to 6th, 6th to 1st, 1st to 4th....and dead! But it felt so good to accomplish that! Today is another day to use those stairs. I won't have then this weekend so I'm not sure what to do about that. I'll find something though. Camping again, hopefully I don't sabotage my success this week. Dinner was so cycle 1 last night. Chicken breast with TONS of spices, boiled carrots and string beans (beans from the garden!). The only non c1 was the little bit of mashed potatoes that I had. But it really wasn't much of a helping. And I still lost a pound!

Pulled another shirt out of the closet today that hasn't been worn in years. Although it still doesn't look the greatest, I'm wearing it anyway. OK, its a tank top that I'm wearing UNDER another shirt. Point is, no tugging on it either! LOL! Today is going to be a GREAT day. Another day to shoot the pounds down!

Onward

So I need to confess....I've been cheating a bit. NOT A LOT! But I haven't been sticking as tightly to cycle 1 as I have wanted this time. So my thought is this. Start again next week. And this time stick to it...tight! While I feel great, I still haev those 13 pounds to lose. I really wanted to be at goal by August 19. That is when we leave for our adult weekend at the race. Monday would give me 3 weeks. HOPEFULLY, I can get this done or at least be closer to the goal.

Yesterday, I did meet my goal of only using the stairs. I even did stairs again on break. Today I won't be able to ALWAYS use the stairs because of training. When I get back to the office though, stairs it is. This a great way to burn my calories. This should help meet my goal as well. Onward and upward (up the stairs) and downward (on the scale)!

Clothes

So, here we are again. And while I know there is no ACTUAL weight change (because the scale said so, no matter how I lean.) there has been a change in inches. I know this because of the shirt I put on today (and because my belt says so). It's one of those shirts that you are pulling down all day if your belly doesn't actually fit but you still want to wear it. Well, there was pulling-pulling over my head, pulling when I got out of the car. BUT walking the blocks to work and up the stairs (no elevator today is the goal) there was no shifting!!! I can't believe it. I'll post a picture in a while. Hehe.

Like I said, no elevator today. I already walked from floor 1 to floor 4 when I got here. It was a last minute decision. Today's trick, no elevator. Let's see how it goes. Hopefully that doesn't make me stay on floor 4 all day! LOL! I so have this. Well at least thats what my biggest cheerleader told me the other day. And I do. I have this. 13 pounds seems like a lot BUT I've lost 17 already! Over half. Start was 165 current is 148. I've got this.

#2!!!

I'm sorry, but I have to write about this. So please forgive my lack of lady-likeness for this post. I HAVE BEEN BOUND UP! There, I said it! Reason, not enough fiber. The last 3 days, I have added green beans (some fresh from our garden YUM YUM, some from a can) to my meals. Then some extra onions and cauliflower. Today I finally burst! Ok that was a little rude to say it that way. Let's try again. Today I finally had a #2, and not just one. I feel SO much better. While the scale was at a hault this morning still, I believe I have solved my problem. I would like to say thank you to a friend of mine who reminded me a while back that fiber is awfully important. While you don't want to have too much of it, there is definitly the need. Sorry about the post, but it needed to be said. Be sure that your fiber and water intake are up to par, and so will your....well you know!

Yummy

Found this recipe on one of the blogs I'm following. It sounds extra good...I'll be the only one to eat it though, so if someone wants to try it and invite me over......LOL


http://betterversionofme-tracie.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-post.html

If titles could be songs, today's would be "A Long Way to the Top."

Today starts week 9 on this crazy lifestyle change. I have lost a total of 17 pounds so far. Todays goals, more water than I drank tis weekend (which was pretty much none! Stupid me no wonder I had a headache.) and to walk those stairs again. I felt like death after the last time, but then I was so awake! I have always struggled with the working out part, but if I can do it while I am here at work, then it isn't so bad. I'm not missing out on time with the family this way. So 148 is the starting point of this week and the  ending point will be 145, at least. I am making that prediction. Lets see if I can hit it!

148

Oh scale, today you are my friend. 148 and heading back downward!! I took today off to get some running around done so I'm a little late with my post today. I think the stairs are helping me win this thing now. I hate them with a passion BUT they get my heart pumping....and that is what matters. Thanks to my friend for inspiring me to conquer them. My strength excerise today has been moving beds around between my kids bedrooms. Hopefully, they will stay put now. Well the little one anyway. The big one has remained where he's at since day one. And just for that, he gets a fullsize mattress now. Let me tell you, moving 2 twins into a bunkbed and a full sized mattress set and frame around my small house, is not the easiest thing to do. But I can tell it worked my upper body, that's for sure. Well, off to the rest of the day.

Mission Stairs-Not Impossible

Ha, I did it! I walked the stairs 2 times in a row. These are those awful stairs that are at work. 784 of them! And to top it off I did them all in under 10 minutes. I think the stopwatch said 7:45. WOOHOO! I felt like death becomes her when I was doen. And my legs had no feeling except a jelly-like sensation. Point is, I set my goal for the day and I hit it. I HIT ANOTHER GOAL!!! So here's what I did. I started on floor 4 (where my office is) and walked to floor 7 (spooky floor 7 that is). Then I walked down to first floor and back up to 7. Then I turned around and walked back to 1 again. At the bottom there I thought, I have this!  At floor 2 I thought "You moron, what are you thinking." At floor 3 I thought, "I could turn off now and hop the elevator to 4." But my soul said "DO NOT CHEAT YOURSELF OUT OF THIS VICTORY!" I'm glad that I didn't!

What's this? A Dress!?

So besides my father-in-laws funeral last year, I haven't worn a skirt or dress in a few years. Yesterday, I took the plunge and sported a skirt. At 96 degrees and heat index at 103, I had to do something. Then when I woke up this morning, just getting out of bed made me sweat. I wandered to the closet and pulled out a dress. My mother would faint if she heard that I wore 2 in a row!!! Its hot...and so am I. Well, I like to think so. I feel so good in my skin. Just a few more pounds. Time to kick start. Sorry, honey, but onions are coming back into the house. I will pick up some clothes pins for you to stick on your nose if you don't want to smell them! LOL. The scale will move. The scale will move. The scale will move. Dang you scale...MOVE ALREADY!! I know I'm teetering on the next pound because if I sway just a little to the side on the scale, it drops. Tackeling the stairs today, in this heat, and I will do 2 rounds of all the way up and down.

Change My Approach

I feel like when I am writing these entries, that I am repeating myself. This will be the day, this will be the day....it's NEVER day. I should change my approach. This IS the year! This IS the day! This IS the moment, that I take control of me and my life, and make myself into who I want to be! This is the moment of my life that I can decide. Do I want to stay unhappy and dislike what and who I am? No way! Do I want to change for my kids? Yes, I want to be around for them. Do I want to change for my hubby? Yes, I want to grow old with him and be able to share our golden days. Do I want to do this for my parents and siblings and neices and nephews and everyone that surrounds me? Of course! Not only physically, but mentally. But more important than that, I want to do this for me. I want to feel good in my skin. I want to know I can get up and chase my kids around the backyard. I want to know that I can fall asleep WANTING to wake up the next morning. I want to feel sexier for my husband. I want to be here for my family as a whole. I want to spend time with my friends and not feel insecure! This is the moment! This IS the moment...not this will be. If I say it that way, it will never happen. THIS IS IT! I have to do this to save myself from defeat. I know that sounds dramatized, but its true. So today is the day I take that step. Will someone walk with me?

MAN oh MAN!

Man oh man. What a great time I had this weekend. I made HORRIBLE choices though. Between the bag of sour cream and cheddar chips and the beer and the crap food. BUT here's the best part. I DIDN"T GAIN A THING!!!! Not even a half of a pound! So, it was either the heat melting pounds away or my metabolism was hard at work, either way, YIPEE!!!

I am going to have a very hard time excerising this week. Its so hot outside that the air in the building seems to not help! But I will try to conquer the steps anyway. My compliment this weekend came from the daughter of my friend. She is 14 which is why it meant a lot. She took one look at me and said "Bethie, you are gonna look HOT in a bathing suit!" I felt AWESOME! Then she went into her camper and brought outthe same tank I was wearing. It felt amazing......and a little silly, since that showed everyone that I am STILL not over my addiction to the juniors section. LOL! So here we go on week number 7. Lets see where it takes me...hopefully down the scale!

Off I go

So off I go into the weekend again. This weekend we will be spending our time camping with friends and family. Hopefully the only temptation that I have is 1 s'more and a couple of beers. We shall see. Hubby DID remember to pack my turkey and celery so that is a good start. well, I am going to sign off for the weekend as I will not have a computer in the great outdoors. YAY!! And I will report back on Monday morning, hopefully with good news!!!

Fish Fry

Oh scale, why are you standing still? I have been so good this week but 149 is as far as you will go. I know one thing, this weekend is going to be an upset for you. Gearing up for some camping. Hopefully, hubby remembers to pack my turkey burger and veggies. I've got this as long as he remembers the stuff.

I wonder what I would have been at had I not started this change? Would I be way up there. I can't wait to see the look on the LPNs face when I go for my annual in a couple months. By then I WILL have made my goal. There is no doubt in my mind. I CAN DO THIS! The last few pounds are the hardest. I have 14 to go and I need to just work harder.

I felt a little down this morning when I got on the scale. Note to self, only eat 3 pieces of fish fry next time (not 6!). I am suffering from a headache and bloating because of it today. My guess is that is why the scale didn't move. That or the fact that my muscle did some building after yesterday's quest for the top floor and back.  Moral of the story: If it looks like fish frying in oil, and smells like fish frying in oil...STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM IT!!!! Or eat in moderation.

Stairs

So, I pushed myself today. Each floor at work has 2 flights of 14 stairs between itself and the next floor. So since I work on 4th floor, today I strolled from 4th to 7th (84 stairs) back down to 1st (168 stairs) back up to 6th (140 stairs) and then back down to 4th (56 stairs). This took me about 6 minutes if I looked at the clock correctly. My eyes are a little buggy now and my legs feel like jelly. But I did it!!! This is a great feeling. Now for tomorrows magic trick, Oh I mean workout, I will try to get the full walk in 2 times. We shall see.

Misconceptions

Some people have wondered why I am doing this. Why do I spend my time eating right, and trying to lose weight. I think that there are a couple misconceptions that I need to clear up. First, I am doing this for me! Not for anyone else. Ok well maybe for my family too. I really think that had I not started this wehn I did, that I would never had tried to get healthy again. I want to be able to be around to see my kids grow up (which who knows maybe I would've lived a long time) but I want to be able to enjoy the time I have with them. Second, much to the dismay of most people in the world, I was considered very over weight-not obese but was climbing quickly in the direction. For those who do not believe that ask your doctor what the ideal weight for yourself is. It might surprise you.

For almost a year now, I have been standing in shock of the scale read at my last annual visit. 169.  Yup that's right, 169. I said to my doctor "I've been walking and trying to eat right. What am I doing wrong?" You know what she told me? (Of course you don't haha.) She said that walking is good, but if you want to walk to lose weight, you have to walk a LLLLLOOOONNNNGGGG way to burn off the calories of an apple. OR she suggested that I start actually watching what I eat. It wasn't so much what I was eating, it was the portion size and the lack of excersize to burn off the extra calories associated with processed foods. I tried and tried to figure out what that all meant. It wasn't until I found this book, that I completely understood what went wrong. It has made me be more aware that my stomach is saying "Stop putting food in, I am full." instead of my brain saying "Yum let's have some more....more....more." It has made me more aware of the food labels and the contents. I don't think my mom ever fed my family a lot of anything that had words we couldn't pronounce easily.  The lifestyle has changed at my house. At least for the most part. I am still trying to reach my husband and get him to change too. He has a little. And my kids still don't like a lot of veggies, but what they get is healthier.

I am getting so close to the end of my goal, that I need to start setting a new goal. That's how I get through things like this. Working out is hard for me. I don't like to wake up early, I don't like to do anything when I get home. So for now, I will use my lunch time to walk those HORRENDOUS stairs. Then when that gets to easy (ha ha) I will move onto more. Heck, I may even add a little Jillian soon. All I know is that I have worked to get my weight down, now I need to start working to tone it.

Drumroll PLEASE!!!!

I FINALLY DID IT!!! No I didn't reach my goal BUT I hit a milestone! The 140s!! As of this morning I am 149 and I am loving it! Pulled another top out today that hasn't made it over my belly in years. I must say, this is probably the proudest I have been so far on this crazy lifestyle change! I feel like I could have lost 2 pounds instead BUT I splurged last night and had chicken cordon bleu. The most exciting part about that is that I still lost a pound! Then my trainer (or my 6 year old for those who are counting!) and I took the dog for a walk to try to counter-act those carbs. I am really starting to feel like me again. More than I did when I began to see light between my thighs!

I was a little bummed this morning though when I opened the cooler in the work cafeteria to find out that there was NO DIET ARIZON GREEN TEA LEFT!!! I probably did the wrong thing, but I bought the regular. I am so used to the diet that this seems really sweet!

I have been told by my hubby that he is proud of my hard work, but I have now been given a request from him. Unfortunately it doesn't involve him joining me yet. It DOES involve me not cooking with onions anymore. POOP! Onion powder it is from now on.  He is not an onion lover and I am. I use them EVERY day so I can see his issue there. No problem.

So onto r2c1d4! Tonight is another day of pushing myself to be what I can be. As Eminem says (I'm sorry but I love this line) "We'll walk this road together, through the storm, whatever weather cold or warm. Just let'n you know that your not alone, hollar if you feel like you've been down the same road!"

Sporting Event Snacks and the diet!

If anyone out there is wondering what would be a better choice when at a sporting event (I'm gearing up for the MI Speeedway Race in August) check out the link below. Gives somewhat good info on this.

17 Day Diet friendly ballpark snacks

WHAT EVER!

Whoever said that taking the stairs would GET easier.....is a LIAR!! I still feel about 100 years old when I get to the top. That aside, I'm glad that I can do the stairs, especially on a rainy day like yesterday. I am feeling a lot better now that I've started over.  While I haven't lost any more weight since yesterdays weigh in, I can start to feel the change again. Its all good. I feel more awake again. I feel like I can get those last few pounds. I feel alive again. A friend commented to me today that she has never seen me so happy. I agree with that statement. I have always been happy with my family but not with myself. I am happy. YAY!

I want to throw a question out there and I really want to get replies. Do you consider the 17 Day Diet a "diet" or a "lifestyle change"? If you haven't read the book, go to http://www.amazon.com/17-Day-Diet-Doctors-Designed/dp/1451648650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310488025&sr=8-1#_  and read the excerpt from it and then give me a comment back. I'm really interested to see what people think. Everyone reading this blog should know by now what I think.

17 Day Diet and NASCAR!

So, not only did I drop the pounds I gained over the weekend, I also got myself to 150 again! WOO HOO! Not sure if it was all the sweating that I did yesterday...gosh it was (is) hot or the fact that I stuck to it! And that cauliflower pizza was a great way for me to eat my veggies with out eating them raw! It was really a no brainer on that.  So r2c1d2 I am down 3 pounds again. So this is good.

I have to tell you about my excericise for yesterday. There was no Jillian involved BUT I have my own personal trainer working with me. And he's free! Ok, so it may not be his actual profession....ok so maybe its just my 6 year old. BUT he forced me into walking all over the place yesterday. His response when I asked him why..."Because mom, walking is good. It makes your diet work better!" What? He's actually been paying attention to more than the food part! How awesome. So we walked to the store and got him ice cream. We walked up and down the street following his rc truck. We walked to the back of our .63 acre yard and back. We walked up and down the stairs. I WAS WIPED!

Today, I took the stairs from ground floor up to fourth. Meaning 8 flights of 14 stairs each. Hopefully I have enough ambition at lunch to walk the stairs again for a few minutes. I have 15 pounds to lose yet. And a HUGE NASCAR race in August that I want to feel good at and enjoy! So here's to NASCAR and stair walking!

Cauliflower Pizza Recipe with Pics

  These 2 yummy pctures are my first attempt at cauliflower pizza crust. I topped with chicken, feta, onions and mozz cheese. YUMMY!!!

So I bet I should put the recipe on here.

1 c. cooked riced cauliflower-

dried as much as possible (I use paper towels and squeezed as much water out as possible.)

1 egg

1 c. mozzerella cheese

Italian Seasoning

Garlic Powder

Heat oven to 450. Combine cauliflower, eg, mozz cheese and herbs. Spray cookie sheet (or spray aluminum foil on cookie sheet). Press mixture into pan. Bake until brown and then if you can flip it and back another 5 minutes or so. Top with sauce and toppings. Place under broiler until cheese is melted. Voila!

Starting over

Yesterday was one of my best friends brithday. WE all went to the beach. IT was great to put on a bathing suit and not feel completely self conciouse. I did feel a little funny though. The problem is, I ate WAY to much. I gained 3 pounds. I was not happy.

Needless to say, I have decided to forgo the rest of cycle 3 (which I think I would be on day 8 today.) and start back over on cycle 1. So today marks r2c1d1. I can't wait. I'm not sure if the weight will fall off like before, but I'm hoping for at least some movement. I was VERY discouraged knowing that it was my fault. I am thinking I wasn't ready for c3. I didn't have myself in check. I was able to have bread again and took WAY to much advantage of that. Plus, chips, popsicles, and other items got brought in that shouldn't have been there. I wasn't excericising enough. I was told to check my calories. I was having WAY to many and not doing enough with those calories.

A couple things that I learned from cycle 3:

If you don't have ENOUGH calories, you will not lose. Starnge isn't it, but true-not enough calories puts your body into starvation mode.

More calories and carbs means you HAVE to up your excerise. If you don't, it is very detrimental to the diet.

Remember, everything in moderation. Just because something is added does not mean you can indulge in it. REmember the hunger meter and stick with what your body says not how good it tastes!!

Cycle 3 Day 7

Cycle 3....again I hate you. I know this is not your fault but I'm going to blame you first. Then I'm gonna take a look at me and realize that it is my fault. Cycle 3 has made it to easy for me to get lose on my eating habits again. I see that I can eat a serving of bread, I eat it, but then later I eat it again. I guess its time for me to leave the book open again and to find a way to remind myself that I need to be disciplined. I am not saying that I have ballooned out of control, I'm just saying that I haven't lost anything on cycle 3 yet and I am on day 7.

I was not able to excerise this morning as I wanted too. We had a little bit of a strange night compared to normal. But, I have made myself a promise that I will, I will, I will workout tomorrow. I HAVE TOO. Today I took the stairs to floor 3 and rode the elevator to 4. On lunch I will be walking the stairs again. Although, I'm not sure how anyone can do that for 17 minutes, as my friend can, but I will try. It is quite a workout. And then maybe I will see that scale move again.

What kills me is that I am so close to the 140s, that I ache for that scale to move. Just a pound down would be nice, just so I can say I'm 149 and not 150-151 (whatever the scale wants me to be lately).  Today, as a treat to myself, I am taking myself shopping and buying a pair of jeans. And yes, unfortunatley, they will probably be from the juniors section, because for some reason I think I am still a junior. LOL

Draggin' Butt!

So cycle 3, let me tell you, I was SO excited to get to this point. Now I wish I would've thought ahead a bit more. I can SO feel a difference in my body. Adding the calories has caused my skin to break out again. BUT in order to not discourage those who are not here yet, I have to say this.....I NEED MORE EXCERISE! I can totally feel the effects of more calories and not enough excercise. I feel draggy today, like I did before I started the diet. I know that yesterday I said I was going to fight and get up this morning. But last night was a long night, so unfortunately I stood up Jillian again. Pretty soon she will probably bust through my bedroom door and drag me out by my hair. I Kind of wish she would do that anyway! LOL.

I also have not had yogurt in DAYS. I just spent a dollar to get a little container in the cafeteria. I wonder if that has anything to do with this bouncing back and forth. This morning the scale once again has me at 151. I can't handle this!!! Just kidding. My clothes are looking better everyday. I am on day 6 of cycle 3 and know in order to fix things, I need to add more excercise and get my probiotics going again.

Workout...of my snooze button urge!

I was supposed to get up this morning and pop one of my workout dvds in (Jillian Michaels 30 day shred-great workout!). Last night I set the alarm for 30 minutes earlier than normal. I was siked. Gonna work off some of that extra skin and stuff! This morning the alarm went off. I looked at the clock and thought....am I some masochist getting up this early? I got up and sat on the edge of the bed for a second before hitting the snooze button. I laid back down and then it went off again. I showed that alarm clock. I walked right up to it and hit it again! Needless to say, Jillian and I did not have our date as planned. Tomorrow will be the day....I hope.

I've realized that in cycle 3 I really to ramp up the excerise though. I can feel the difference in my body adding more calories but not adding more excercise. As many of you know, excerise and Bethie do not get along well. Oh, we usually have a great relationship at the beginning, but then the pain sets in and I think "Well I better take abreak so I don't strain anything." Next thing you know, there's another dvd collecting dust. This all started before the diet. Pilates, taebo, chair dance (yes I tried this and got whiplash and threw my back out!), buns of steel, Walk yourself fit, and Jillian Michaels. To tell you the truth, Jillian is the only one I've stuck with long enough at any one point. I think this is because (and excuse my french) she scares the hell out of me! I feel like she is going to personally come through the television screen and rip me to shreds if I don't do what she says!

Tomorrow will be the day. I need to fight that snooze button urge and work at this. Wish me luck!

A New Day

Todays word is....PHEW!!!! So that 1.5 pounds that I beat myself up over yesterday is gone again. I want to say thank you to my friends for talking me through that...LOL. Anyway. I am back on track again. Todays lunch is going to be exciting for me. A sandwich!!! Can you believe it? A SANDWICH!! I'm not sure that the slivered ham I have on it is actually kosher for the diet but I figure the lettuce will help with that. Plus, since I'm back at work today, I get to have my diet green tea again! WHOOPIE!!!!

So I smacked myself around yesterday over the whole gain thing. But I'll tell you what, it opened my eyes to how focused i need to stay! I am so close to the goal, I can taste it. I wonder how many others stuggled this weekend. How did they fight the urge?

Today is a new day again....I need to take them one at a time. On a "lighter" note, I did wear a bathing suit this weekend and wasn't all that self concious! I also fit into my 9 shorts for a minute. I say a minute because, while they fit perfectly, I still have that baby roll left that slightly hangs over the top. Almost there!

Todays encouragement comes from all of the friends that said to me yesterday "Stop beating yourself up. 1.5 pounds is nothing compared to what you have lost!" And I say to that, it's also nothing compared to what I have gained....in a self esteem way!

Have It Your Way

So I am just asking "Will power, where were you yesterday?"  Yesterday was day 1 of cycle 3. Weighed in at 150 yesterday morning. Thanks to my will power (or lack thereof), I weighed in at 151.5 this morning!!! This is the first time in a long time that the scale went up. BUT I know why. And it's my own fault....wait, no, I will blame it on my will power. Its all that stupid things fault.....right?

Yesterday was a great day. We took our youngest to the Blue Angels Air Show....went with family and friends. It was a great time...except that since I finally was allowed to have bread, I took it a bit overboard. I had 2....yes 2....sandwiches! What the heck was I thinking. I wasn't, I was doing my old habit of midless eating. I did plenty of walking and drank plenty of water while at the show. I even had my carrots and celery. Then, when we got home, everyone else came home with us. It was a lot of fun. Once again, though, mindless eating. Another sandwich (I know this is soooo not like me lately), and then next thing I know there is a beer in my hand and chips (I HATE plain chips) in my mouth!!! I then proceeded to have a popsicle. Good grief. I am paying for it today. Between the SCREAMING headache and the scale going the wrong way, I'm pretty sure I've learned my lesson. Today is a do-over. I will still count yesterday as day 1, but today will go the way it is supposed to. Lots of veggies, watch my servings. I think today I will use the slogan from Burger King (who I miss dearly....I think) to restart myself. "Have it your way!" My way is the scale moving down.

Under Pressure..

This is the BIG holiday weekend that I have been waiting for....on this diet. I love celebrating Independence Day! Three day weekend and lots of fun, food and friends. But wait, lots of food can be dangerous. As can the beer that usually accompanies the festivities. I've got this though. This weekend I will be surrounded by plenty of people that are also on this "diet" so that should help keep me in check. But just to make sure, I have to go load up on veggies and water bottles.

Today is day 17 of cycle 2!! WOO HOO!!! I love that they end this on a "red meat" day. Plus that means that I won't have to be as restricted on the TYPES of food I eat. Like I said though, I will be surrounded by people on this diet, so I will do my best to eat with their cycle (if that makes sense). This weekend is full of pressures for those of us in the United States. And being a weekend, for everyone! I'm glad I will be under pressure. It will show me where my will power is. Mine better be with me!

There I Am!

For the first time in who knows how long, I just looked in the mirror and saw myself! Wait a minute, you're probably thinking, its a mirror dumbie of course you saw yourself. I understand thats the concept of a mirror. But I saw myself! Me, the girl I was when I felt good about myself. Me, the person that has been hiding inside for years. Me, the one with the real smile and twinkle in her eye! I walked passed the mirror and stopped short. I had to take a look just to be sure that what I saw was really what I saw. It was. Maybe this sounds a little to concieted, I don't know. I saw ME again! I was in awe. Once again a side effect of getting healthier.

Take a look as you go through this adventure. Maybe you will have that "stop in your tracks" moment. Its a great feeling!

Time to shop....sort of.

Yesterday was my bosses last day, so he took the crew out for lunch. I tried to make the best of what was on the menu (and it was a c2 day). I had a burger on rye bread. While it tasted delicious, my tummy did not feel so delicious afterwards. I thought to myself  "Self, you may have thought you did good, but I bet the scale tells you differently in the morning."  But when I got on the scale today.....VICTORY! Down another pound. Now sitting at 150! YIPPEE! Those 140s that seemed so far away at the start are being stared down with my evilest looking eye. I CAN conquer you 140s. Just try to take me on! So far 15 pounds down and 15 to go!

The next step is buying new.......BRAS! WTH?  Sorry if this next paragraph is TMI. No, no, not the boobies! I remember now why gaining weight was ok at one point. My boobs were awesome! Now I will have to call them the incredible shrinking boobs. Well, I can live with that if I am healthy...I GUESS (sarcasm). I still have my......wait...where's my J-Lo butt! Ok, I could deal with the boobs but now your telling me my butt is leaving too? Well, I suppose I can handle that. But PLEASE take my arm fat and double chin too. Oh wait, you are diet! Thank you! So in other words, since I was thinking ahead YEARS ago (or just not wanting to come to terms with my weight) and saved all of my smaller clothes, my jeans should be fine. I did however let the hubby use my old bras for minnow catchers and sling shots (just joking) so I do need to go shop for more, oh and maybe some other undergarments. I can deal with that.

Is That Light I See?

It is light! I just stood in front the mirror at work and thought there was something on the leg of my pants. I went to swat it off and realized....IT IS THE LIGHT showing between my thighs!! I haven't seen light between my thighs in years! So I leaned into the mirror to get a closer look (but bumped my head). Then I was so excited (and don't laugh to hard at this) that I put my hand in the space. It fit! I peeked behind me and sure enough there were my fingers!! Then the bathroom door opened and another lady walked in and looked at me mighty weird. So I said, "I just saw the light between my legs for the first time in years!" And she was happy for me too! So yes, it was a weird bathroom party but exciting all at the same time! Yay for the light!!!

Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce!

I was so excited this morning when I looked at the scale and it said 150....and then my other foot settled onto the scale and still 151. Poop. BUT I must be close to 150...at least in my mind. So my thought on the pattern is bunk. Oh well. I will survive. I reminded myself that at the end of the last cycle, weight loss became stagnant and Saturday is day 17 on cycle 2.

Last night was another rendevous with the horseshoers. And now myself and a couple of the other girls walk while the guys are playing. We get about a mile in eachtime. My son standing at each end of the park as we walk by cheering us on. "I'll see you over there! Keep it up guys!" My friends daughter was not shy to say "My mom has lost 7 pounds." But when I asked "Isn't that great?" She responded with "I suppose." It's funny what excites us when we get older...weight loss! LOL

I also discovered today that what I thought I liked and disliked was not even right! My whole life I thought I loved peaches! So, I finally got some the other day, took a bite this morning and was not as excited as I thought I would be. But then again, I bought eggplant, even though I thought I hated it, and I loved it! Maybe it's because my body is cleansed of preservatives so now my tastebuds are completely changed. Unfortunately though, my taste for chocolate has not changed! :-)

A new recipe, that really isn't a recipe, and I have not tried it yet. My friend and I were talking during our walk. How can we have ice cream with chocolate on it (see chocolate again!). What we decided is when we get vanilla yogurt next, we will put it in the freezer till it is scoopable like ice cream. Then take a little cocoa, sweetener and water to make the chocolate sauce. According to our calculations (sorry about the geek term) we should be well inside what is allowed for all cycles! YEAH!!!!

Linking up to others

So the point of my blog was originally for me to get my emotions out while struggling through this diet. Writing is my way of getting it out without yelling and screaming. LOL But I am noticing more and more that I am helping others as well. Which come to think of it was my original idea just expanded; help myself, help others. Makes sense. Because of that I want to draw attention to the blogs that I have started following. I know they are listed to the side here, but they all deserve recognition. First is Blah Blah Blah - this one is being written by my Step-son's mom, who is one of my closests friends. She is an RN who is struggling through this too. I know, but healthcare providers struggle too. The next is My adventure to a healthy lifestyle. Also written by friend. It is tracking her and her husbands challenges through the diet. They have conquered amazing feats together and this diet is adding another one to that list. Third is Healthy in a Small Town. This is written by a longtime friend of mine. Its all about eating healthy and on a budget. Tons of recipes that may or may not be good for the cycle you are on, but will be down the road. Go ahead and check these out! And if you find any others that have helped you or that you enjoy reading, please let me know! These are all helpful to me to keep my chin up. Its good to know there are others in this world who are like us, choosing to change our lives. Good luck!

A Pattern for cycle 2?

Ok, I was just looking through my stats for cycle 2. I would like some feedback PLEASE! I've noticed this simple pattern. Every 3rd day I'm down another pound. If this is correct then tomorrow I will post that I am at 150. Lets see what happens! Anyone else on cycle 2 seeing a pattern or is it just me over analyzing?

Grapples?

Ok, so I know that there are tons of fruits that one can eat on this diet. But this was a new one for me. My girlfriend called me last night on her way home from the grocery store. She said she was thinking of me in the produce aisle (sweet I know!) All the berries were there. Then she told me about these apples she bought, or should I say Grapples! I have NEVER heard of these. She says they smell like grapes and taste like apples. What will they think of next? I have GOT to try these.

Anyway, I have no scale news but I did have a slip up yesterday. Mind you it was small but my body was not happy after. My boss is retiring this week, so the first office party since I started the diet was yesterday. I ATE A SLICE OF CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was small and it really didn't taste all that great but for some reason I had to eat the WHOLE piece!!! I was devestated! How could I have done that. I had been so strong through all of this. I know how. It was those sweet ladies I work with. "I'm diebetic and I am going to have one. Just one won't hurt!"  Oh boy were they wrong. It hurt alright! My body made me pay out (if you get my jist). Just another reminder to myself that the junk needs to stay out or it will find its way out! And it made me stay away from the cookies and bean dip and all the other STUFF.

Keep my chin up and the weight will fall off. I think that will be my slogan for the day.

QUIET!!

Every few weeks or days (which would be better), I try to make sure I have some quiet time. A time to myself to push through my thoughts and feelings on life and where I am. And I don't mean quiet time like sitting in front of the tv, I mean quiet so you can hear a pin drop! I need that time. It keeps me sane. And i think everyone should take a little time for that, even if its only a couple minutes. For me, I take an hour or so. Working full time, and raising a family, I should take more time than that, but who can fit in more than that! LOL Anyway, so last night after dinner, I took a few minutes (cause we were kidless) and looked back on my mindset on this diet. Raise your hand if you thought this diet would help you lose weight (mine is up), raise your hand if you thought this diet would fit you in smaller jeans (my hand is up again). Raise your hand if you thought this diet would rearrange your mindset on life (cue the crickets for me) Raise your hand if you thought your chin would be raised more as the diet went along (ting goes the pin in the background). WOW! I really thought of this diet as a lose weight, look good kind of thing. I really never thought it would change my entire outlook! I really never thought my taste buds would change. I'm not saying I don't crave anything (this weeks craving has been Chinese food-I'm to lazy to figure how to make it in a diet form-any ideas would be great!). I'm really not saying that I haven't fallen on face during this process. But I am saying that I can now tell the difference when I eat something that I probably shouldn't have and when I eat the good stuff. Ever notice when you eat chips, you just keep on eating? EMPTY CARBS MAKE AN EMPTY TUMMY! Veggies are taking the place of that, etc. So take some time out today to reflect on yourself and how far you have come, or to see where you want to be and make those goals. And lay off the chips, not for me but for your hearts sake!

Poor Veggies

The scale HAS to be lying....today it said 151! And I had to yank my jeans up the whole walk in to work this morning! Why do I think the scale is lying? Because yesterday was, what I call, a red meat day (or in 17dd terms, a c2 day.) We had ribs on the grill with baked potatos. It was AWESOME! I thought, there is no way after eating this for dinner that I am going to get on the scale and see any movement. In fact, I even thought about not getting on. But as I've said before, I am scale obsessed. I can't help it. Its one of my newest addictions. I guess that out of everything one could be addicted too, getting on the scale is not so bad. I am also now addicted to my Arizona Diet Green Tea. So much so that this weekend, when I don['t get to have it, I could taste it! So for those struggling with the green tea, definitely see if you can find the Diet Arizona. It's EXTREMELY good.

This weekend was full of things to do. Which was also a concern of mine. While I didn't give in to the temptations of candy or festival food, I did skimp on my veggies. My water intake was fine though. But boy, yesterday, I could tell by dinner time that I had not eaten enough veggies or fruits. I had this little headache from lack of "sugar" that I haven't had yet on this diet. That's when I realized I had forgotten to bring those buggers with me. My youngest and I went to meet our newest family member, my sister and her husbands 2nd child. In the excitement to remember the camera, the poor veggies got forgotten on the counter. Oh well. I'm back on track for today!

Mornings and Lemon Water

The title in itself describes 2 things that, before I started this diet, I hated! While I am still not totally in love with either, we are on speaking terms. But I guess that if I now get out of bed when the alarm actually goes off the first time, that tells me that my body is regaining energy. Just one more great side effect of this diet.

More proof for me comes in the form of the outdoors. Now that is where my family lives (basically). I live with all boys remember. So, yesterday (after fighting the grocery store lines) my husband and I went into the far corner of our yard, where we have 2 fruit trees, a mullberry and a cherry. We spent a good couple hours picking fruit! And while those are great trees to get my fruit servings, they are also great for homemade wine! So after picking, came the squishing again. I will be so happy by the end of the year when I can have wine in moderation and the stuff we made is ready to drink!

Ok, I got sidetracked, sorry! This morng I feel very proud of myself. I had turkey hot dogs with no bun for dinner. I took my 6 year old for Wendy's after grocery shopping and didn't even take a bite of his chicken nuggets! I had a few beers last night. BUT the scale actually went down 1/2 a pound. But I don't count halves cause of the type of scale I have. I have mde it through day 1 of the weekend without cheating! Today I get to go meet my new nephew so today should be a breeze! I hope!

Weekends

Alright, lets get the dirty work out of the way. Saturday morning, no weight change. No problem though, look hot in the mirror. In fact last night I took some jammies out that I haven't fit into properly in years! So much so that my 6 year old asked if they were new! So that is fun!

Weekends are so hard though. BBQs and beer, wine and bon fires, and this weekend is our village festival! Which means deep fried anything and gyros! So how do I combat all of this. I pull up my big girl pants tight, like my old boss used to say, and try hard. I started out today with some fake french toast (which is just scarmbled eggs with vanilla, cinnamon, 1 pkg of sweetener and a little nutmeg) to get the sweet tooth under wraps. My hands will be full. I will keep a bottle of water in one hand and my son in the other. When we pass the hot dog stand, I will resist. Gyros, no thank you. Deep fried oreos, I think not! Until we hit the cotton candy. Then I might have a problem. That's where my diet police officer will tell me "Don't mom, it's not on your diet!"

I know its going to be rough. I will allow a beer or 2 this weekend. As long as I chase it with a ton of water to counter act it! I have the willpower. I wouldn't have made it this far if I didn't. I just have to use it and have faith in my own judgement.

Going to go through the jeans this weekend and try to shun all of those 13s. We shall see what happens. Good luck this weekend! But mostly, enjoy your new found self control!

Breath

Ok, I'm typing this while I can't breath! Well, I can breath but I am panting type breathing. I just pushed myself. Ran from garden floor to fourth floor. Ok, ran from garden floor to 2nd floor, then walked fast to 3rd floor and then used the railing to pull myself to 4th floor. Point is, no elevator this morning! I made the decision while walking my 5 minutes from the car to the building that I was running up the stairs. Then I made the decision about half way up that if I wanted to LIVE to see 4th floor, I'd better slow it down. I am pretty darn proud of myself though. This was all stemming from stepping on the scale today, being day 27 of the diet and day 9 of cycle 2, and finding that, once again, I have nudge the scale down a pound! So now I weigh what I did when I was 5 months pregnant 7 years ago! Only 17 pounds to go!!! That is a great feeling.

I was trying to find clothes in the dark this morning, and pulled a pair of jeans out. While pulling them on I thought, man these are tight. Whats the deal? So after zipping and buttoning, I woke my poor husband up and pulled the tag out and said, "What does this say?" He says "Um SO?" I said "Not the brand, the size." He says, "Um 6" My heart stopped and then he said "No wait 9." I turned around with this evil smile on my face (which I think scared him). I had just pulled on a 9 without jumping around the room and was able to button and zip them without sucking my tummy in to my brains! Then I realized that my muffin top was showing and I was really having a hard time breathing comfortably, so I took them off. The point is, I did it! So out came the 13s I'm normalling wearing and the belt goes down ANOTHER HOLE!!!

The point that I'm trying to make is to keep breathing. When the scale stops, keep breathing it will move again. When life throws crazy things at you, keep breathing, you will get through. When you're happy beyond belief or sad to the bottom of a pit, KEEP BREATHING! Your life happens the way its supposed, but unless you keep breathing, you will never know where it will take you!

Royal Treatment

Once upon a time there was a queen. This queen thought that her kingdom was perfect. She had a roof over her head, 2 strapping princes and a handsome and loving king. She even had a garden that she could wonder through at her pleasing. The only thing that wasn't perfect in her eyes was herself. The king tried to tell her that she was beautiful. The princes tried to tell her she was wonderful. And the other queens that she was around tried to tell her she was fine the way she was. But everyday, when the queen looked in the mirror, the mirror would remind her of how she had let herself go. So one day the queen just stopped caring about herself. She started wearing rags, and not giving any effort to make herself presentable. Three years into this life she decided that she wanted more, but couldn't jump the hurdle to get motivated. She went to the royal doctor and was put on antidepressants. Then she started to see her worth again. She finally took that step and started moving towards what she thought she was meant to be. And stumbled, fell flat, cried and screamed, fought herself, ignored the words from her family. She was a loser, she wasnt' going to be able to change. Her sister from the royal land of Wyoming was at her palace one day and presented her with an idea. Try this diet with me, Look how it has helped me!

Ok so maybe that was a little over the top. BUT it explains in short how I felt for a long time. This diet has been so life changing for me. Yes, the weight loss is great, but my self esteem has sky rocketed! Not to the point where I think my farts don't smell. But to the point that I want to wear cute clothes again. I'll walk out of the house in shorts now! Heck I even wore a bathing suit this year already! I'm also wanting to get my nails done and treat myself to girly things. Yes, the diet is helping me lose weight but in the process it is bringing my spirits up. Good luck today. And know this, d7c2 and I just pulled my belt one MORE hole tighter without the scale moving! The change is great!

Family Involvement

Ever wonder how you are going to go and do something huge all by yourself? Well, let me tell you, I thought that way until I realized that I'm not alone in this! Obviously I know my faith helps me through everything, but some people are not lucky enough to have that. My other backbone, my family and friends. They may not know that they sometimes try to tempt me, but for the most part they are supportive.

Take my 6 year old. Everytime we go some where, he is making sure that what we are buying is on my diet. Like chips, "Is this on your diet?" No honey its not, but do you want it?" "No not if you can't." So nice to have that.

Or my hubby calling me at work. "I took fish out. I'm gonna bake yours and fry ours. You can have baked fish right?" Just the fact that they are taking that extra thought for me and this diet is amazing! And then how proud they are. I remember a few years back, I was trying to lose weight. My youngest, who was 3 at the time, told me "I don't want you to lose weight. Mommies aren't skinny!" Now I get a daily "Mom you look beautiful!" And from the oldest I get "I don't know how you can stay on that? I'd be hungry all the time." And I think, yes my human garbage disposal, yes you would be! LOL

Or my mom and I having our morning phone call and she telling me "Good morning skinny beautiful!" It makes me remember how much my mom supported me in everything I wanted to do when I was younger and wouldn't let me give up very easily.

It may take a lot of will power to get through this, BUT with all the support I've been getting lately, I know I can do this. Only 18 pounds to go! I still can't believe that I started 30 pounds out and am already to 18 left! AMAZING!!!

Another Day

So, getting on the scale this morning took some motivating. I wasn't going to weigh, but as my friend Melissa says I am scale obsessed! (She started a blog about her weight loss too! Melissabaird77.blogspot.com) But I did it anyway. I am so glad that I did! That hump I've been scaling for 5 days now....I jumped it! Only a pound BUT 153 is WAY better than 154 (or 165 for that matter). I have to remember to take this one day at a time. I upped my veggies yesterday and I think I have found my problem.

Some of the veggies that I've been eating are not doing my body good. So my point for today is find the veggies that keep you regular (or at least more regular). I've found that when I add more onions to my food, I lose the weight. The days prior to yesterday, I was not eating as many, at least since Cycle 2 began. I also realized that I was eating enough probiotic. I counted up the number of servings I had for the previous days...probably 1 a day. Yesterday I had the 2. I also remembered that when I drink Green Tea I have to make up for the negative in my water. On cup of Green Tea needs an extra 8 ozs of water at least.

Anyway, today is a new day. I need to be thankful for this body, mind and soul that I have been graciously given. Now that I am taking better care of it, it is rewarding me. My skin has cleared up remarkably (yes at 32 I have slight acne.) My teeth are feeling healthier. My hair is shiney again, like when I was younger! And HEY there's that bellybutton ring I got so many years ago. I knew it was in that roll somewhere! LOL

Good luck today, and try not to get to scale obsessed but pay more attention to the way your clothes fit. You will see a difference!

Recipe Ideas

I forgot. I had a request to put some yummy ideas out here that I have tried. And since its summer, I'll start with my substitute for ice cream. There are 2 that I've found that I like. First is Brownie Batter. I take vanilla flavored yogurt, mix a little cocoa in it and voila you have brownie batter tasting yogurt. Another is Snickerdoodle. Take plain yogurt, mix a little vanilla, cinnamon and 1 pkt of sweetener and *BOOM* snickerdoodles! YUMMY

Another goodie for at night is Cauliflower Popcorn. All my friends know I am hooked on this. Turn the oven onto 425. Take some cauliflower that is about popcorn size (after its popped). Toss it with olive oil & salt. And roast it until its brown. YUMMO!

Garlic Bread-Take some eggplant slices, put them on a greased baking sheet. Bruch some olive oil, and chopped garlic on each slice and top with fat free parmesan. MMMMMM

Really if you just start experimenting you can find all sorts of ways to liven up your food. Especially since c1 is hard to get through sometimes. Try these. They are delish!

Encouragement

I think I need to put a little something out there today. Not just for anybody reading this, but for myself as well. The scale is still at 154. BUT at least it isn't at 165 anymore!

When people try to get you down or sabatoge your will power, fight it! Everyone will try to get you to break down whether they realize it or not. Case and point, my loving husband last night. Mmmmm they had garlic bread with dinner. I, of course did not and didn't have any eggplant to make fake garlic bread. But my husband trying to keep me sane through my craving was like the snake was to Eve. No I'm not saying he is satan, but the words that came out of his mouth were VERY tempting. "Just have a little bite. A little bite won't hurt you." I gussied up all I could and said no thank you. And then came this.... wave a bit of the smell my way, take a big bite and moaned through the whole chewing process. I have never jumped at my husband (except on our honeymoon) the way I did at that moment. I took that garlic bread out of his hand....and then delicately took a small bite. GUESS WHAT! IT WAS AWFUL!!! I had to hurry up and chew it so I could swallow it. Never have I had a dislike for garlic bread. It was a  staple in my previous eating habits! So just remember that when people try to sabatoge you, DON'T GIVE IN!!!! It isn't worth it.

So, since the scale has halted, maybe you are thinking, why bother. The reason I'm keeping at this, my jeans are fitting so nicely. And I put on a shirt this weekend that I refused to wear before (because I looked preggo in it!) I must say (as does hubby), I looked HOT! It felt so great to walk around. The flab is going away. So even when the scale stand still, your body is not. Its rearranging. That what I like to call it anyway. My J-Lo butt may be getting smaller but I feel like "One hot mama!"

I do have a request though. If you want any ideas or have a question for me please just ask. Nothing for me in this travel is off limits to talk about. So please don't hesitate!! Good luck!

Mind Control

I had to make that my title. Thats what my youngest just told me I had to have with my diet. Mind Control! Makes sense! In order to stick to this I need mind control.....because my body says I have to have a piece of candy but my mind says no.

Anyway. Went strawberry picking yesterday with a friend and our little kids. That was a trip! The kids had more fun picking and eating. And we got an awesome deal on strawberries! So we were both pretty happy with that.

Ok so I'll go to the scale news. There is none for today. But that's cause yesterday was an activate day, and we had steak and potatos on the grill. Plus, I know i didn't eat enough veggies, at least not as many as I eat during the week.  Like I said in another post though, weekends are HARD!!! There is no structure to the weekend. Whereas, during the week, I have specific breaks and lunches. So, todays resolution is to concentrate on making my weekends count. At least I didn't eat a ton of pizza like I did on the first weekend of cycle 1, I can still bounce back from this oops. AND I still have today to reform myself.

So off I go to celebrate fathers day with my kids and hubby. And hopefully he will pick chicken for today so that I don't have to make 2 meals!!! LOL Back onto accelerate for today.

Another one bites the dust!

Not much to write for this morning. I did a strange thing yesterday. When I got home from work I weighed myself again. The best part is that I weighed the exact same as I did in the morning!!! 155! Crazy!

This morning I am another pound down. Thank the Lord!!! 154. That means that in 20 days I have lost 11 pounds! Pretty good considering I usually would've given up by now! Only 19 lbs to go! This diet is AWESOME!!!!! Today will be a challenge though because it is Saturday. Used to be pizza night. Saturdays are always mourned by my body now. I think I might try to make the turkey crust pizza tonight.

On another note, we may have another friend of mine starting this awesome change!! I'm so excited for her!

Funny

Ok so I know I just posted for today, but I had to share my funny for the day. I just went potty for the 5th time today (and its only 9:50am). When I walked into the stall, I just pulled down my pants. Why is this funny you say? Because, I didn't even unbutton or unzip! THEY JUST SLID RIGHT DOWN with a tiny yank! Ok so if this is TMI for some I'm sorry, but I thought it was hilarious. Guess I better move to the next size jeans!

Bummer!

So I got to eat my venison last night and let me tell you....IT WAS AWESOME! Its crazy how good certain foods taste after you've been sworn off them for awhile! YUMMY! It was so good.....I had seconds. And there is my downfall! I know it says generous helping of meat...I don't think Dr. Mike meant what ended up on my plate though! OOPS.

Well today is d2c2. Got on the scale--WTH? It still says 155!!!!!! Ok, get off the scale reset it again, lean a little to the left...ok a little to the right...NOPE STILL 155!!!! But today is also back to c1 meals. Then tomorow it will be back to c2 again. I have a feeling that this will work. Switching up the meal types, its got to confuse my metabolism (it confuses me so much that the book remains open on the counter!) It has to! I do have to keep this in perspective. I have lost 10 pounds already when at this point I would be back to eating everything in sight and be back up to 168, which is what my highest weight has been. So thinking that I can see the 140s getting closer, I just need to stick to this.

Eggs, with feta cheese and onion powder for breakfast. Salad for lunch with chicken on it. Not sure what for dinner yet. But I do know that this weekend, I will fight through those cravings. I will not drink a single beer, I will not take a bite of Chase's ice cream, I WILL CONQUER MY CRAVINGS! (hopefully) I also have a better handeling on how much food I really need to buy. Since I emptied 2 containers of diced onions into one this morning and it all needs to be tossed cause it doesn't smell like onions anymore! LOL And the spinich I bought for good greens, that is awfully funny looking this morning. So my shopping list will not consist of that anymore. Maybe a couple frozen packs. And squash! OH how I love squash. And I get to eat it everyother day now! Oh how c2 is wonderful! Vension and squash. I am set!

Cycle 2 begins!

So I woke up this morning SO excited that it was the start of cycle 2. Jumped on the scale...still 155. Ok I can deal with that. Then I was so excited for breakfast....that is until I read the menu options for breakfast. WHAT! I can't make a baked potato and then fry them BEFORE work! So I settled for good old fashioned scrambled eggs. With some seasoning of course. I read over the chapter again...and again. I really only see one change for today, well besides that I get to have venison for dinner! For that change I get to add natural starches. What the heck are natural starches? So I read the chapter AGAIN, and paid closer attention to the food list. So I decided to take some CORN for lunch. Its sad when corn is the exciting part of my day. BUT its something new that I haven't had in a while and I get to have a potato with dinner. There, 2 starches for the day covered. So maybe cycle 2 won't be so bad after the weekend when I have time to premake lunches and breakfasts.

Last night was spent staring at men - yes fun I know EXCEPT they were mostly stinky old men (except for my HOT hubby-ok I'm partial there)-and they were all playing horseshoes. I also spent time building up a friend who is wanting to start this diet. She's been putting it off and will start Monday! WOO HOO for her! I'm beginning to fell like I should be a paid spokeswoman for this diet. My friend down the road and her husband are starting today...I hope! Its great to see the effect that I am having on people. Now those people have to start helping me stay motivated too! LOL I just keep looking at that bikini hanging on the door, and thinking "Yes kids I will be the embarrassing mom on the beach in the swimsuit that is way to YOUNG for her. Deal with it!"

So anyway. Here goes cycle 2. Hopefully a few more pounds will be lost! And I won't be jumping aroundt he bedroom to put on those size 11 jeans and those size 9 jeans will make it past my thighs soon! Here's to my jeans I didn't throw away JUST IN CASE I needed them again!!

Day 17

Ok so I am starting this blog a little late. Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Bethanie. I am 32-yikes-and am a happily married woman with 2 children. I was blessed to have a ready made family when I married my husband. My oldest (step)son is 16. Then we have 1 son together who is 6. I work full time.
When I started the 17 day diet on 5/30/11 (the day before our 8th anniversary), I weighed 165.  I was NOT happy with myself. How did I get here? What the heck was I doing? So I took some advise from my sister-in-law who has had a TON of success and started the diet. I was skeptical at first. LOTS of veggies! BUT on day 3 when I stepped on the scale and noticed the little line had moved down 4 lbs, I was so excited. So, off the weight went. A couple of set backs. Day 5 down 6 lbs! Day 12 down 8 lbs! BUT yesterday morning, day 16, I got on the scale as I usually do and it said I was 10 pounds lighter! I literally got off the scale and stepped back on it just to double check that  I wasn't seeing things! Low and behold I could shorten the belt up AGAIN! SO now today is day 17 and tomorrow I will celebrate cycle 2 with some Venison! This is working!!! For once the weight is leaving and I haven't seen it back yet!! HOPEFULLY-this makes me change the way I have been looking at food and keep that pizza to a minimum.