Fajitas for Dinner

Hello! Tonight we are having 15 minute fajitas! I hope they are good. I bought a "deep covered baker" from Pampered Chef, and you just cut up peppers & onions, put 3 chicken breasts on top (seasoned with Southwestern Seasoning), and sprinkle with the juice of 2 limes, then microwave for 15 minutes. You can't believe how juicy & tender that chicken is. You would never DREAM it was microwaved. I hate microwaved chicken. The texture is all wrong, but somehow this baker doesn't have that rubbery effect on the chicken. I'm trying to be serious about eating better ALL the time. I do pretty good a lot of the time, but when I do bad, I do VERY bad. Dinner is something that's east to do bad with. Now, I need to master eating out. Actually, I know what to eat, I just get tempted by all the "good" stuff! One thing at a time, right?

Brief Update

Ok, so I haven't blogged for a while. I know that. I don't know if I'm not super motivated, or what. BUT, I DID join Weight Watchers 4 weeks ago. Having said that, last week I GAINED 3 lbs. I knew I would--it was not a great "food" week, and I have not been working out. I feel like I'm so busy all the time, but I never get everything done. So, I'm working to be more organized and more productive. I will keep you posted on my progress. I promise I will do a much better job about blogging.

I'm a Blog Slacker!

Or so I've been told :)) I cannot deny it. I have not been especially motivated to diet and exercise, so I haven't! Its not good, but its true. Going to make some changes this week. We'll see how it goes.

Some things I do good all the time. However, I realize I CANNOT have potato chips in my house. Its like an alcoholic having a mini-bar in their room. Its a bad idea. So, I've been asking myself what I need to do differently. I decided I need to start writing down what I eat. Not because I CAN'T keep up with it in my head, but rather because it will FORCE me to see exactly what I've eaten/drunk that day, and exactly how many calories and fat grams that equals. I think this will be . . . a real PAIN IN THE ASS! BUT, it will probably also be very helpful. So, I am going to do this for a little while. In fact, I may get me a little notebook today, especially for this purpose.

I think its important to continuously work to improve yourself. However, THINKING that and DOING that are two totally different things. So, I am trying to reflect back in time to bring back things that I was doing when I was thinner. I also need to be more organized. I have very good ideas. I know things I need to do better. Yet I STILL do not pull the trigger. I don't want to be in control, in fact, I AVOID control. I am not sure why. I don't know if I'm afraid of failure, or afraid of disappointing someone, or something else. I just believe this is what keeps me from greatness. THIS is what I will work on as I continue to try to improve myself and my life.

In the past I had written goals, and I reviewed/edited them often. I haven't done that in years. This is something I will begin again. You only get one life, and I'm 42 years into mine. Its past time to start doing a few things better. For further weight loss motivation, I am going to the beach in June. How nice would it be to have lost 50lbs before I go?? These are some of the things running through my little mind :)) I will blog soon, and if I DON'T, send me a nasty little email. I'm good with it!

Happy New Year!!!

Well, I said I was going to lose 15 pounds by Christmas. I did not do that. BUT, I did lose 12. So that's good. I actually had my gall bladder removed (that helped with the 12 pounds). It was an experience, especially having surgery just a few days before Christmas. I made a new friend. I called her Lori Tabs--no better friend after surgery! I had to give her up though, she was keeping me asleep :-)) The timing seemed to work out well. I feel almost 100% recovered now, so its time to start working on some new goals for the new year.

I realize I started this blog a long time ago, and quite frankly, I thought I would be much farther than I am now. However, I am not going to get hung up on what I did NOT accomplish, and instead realize that I am 30 pounds lighter than I once was. I also do want to move forward in the new year, and continue my quest to lose 100 lbs. This will mean making new, better, healthier habits. I don't plan to be PERFECT, just a lot healthier. That is really the goal.

Thank you for continuing to check this blog, and following along. Hopefully this year will be more successful on the weight loss front. We'll see!

Christmas Challenge

Ok, so you know how I said I was going to lose 15 pounds by Christmas? Well, I told my husband. He is THE MOST competitive person I have ever known. So, he will totally lose 15 pounds now, because I have challenged him. Hopefully, that will help to keep me on track--its hard to eat salad for dinner while he's having pizza :-)) We'll see how that turns out.

I am planning to eat good all day every day--except for Christmas parties and gatherings. Then I am going to eat what I want. Otherwise, that would put a big damper on the holidays. I've been looking at Christmas recipes. Mmmmmmm. I need to make a little shopping list, and go to the grocery. I'm going to attempt to make a bananas foster cake this year. I also will make some "white trash" at some point, with Ghiradelli white chocolate. OMG!! Its very good. BUT, if you don't get the chocolate NOW, you won't get it. It sells out. BIG plans.

I also have to trim the tree, and deck the halls, and get my big ass to the Y! I'm hoping challenging Brian will help me get to the Y more often. Exercise will definitely help in this "15 pounds before Christmas" thingy. We'll see how this goes. Hopefully, I can pull this off. I CAN, its just a matter of if I stick with it. Stay tuned. Merry Christmas!!! (I say Merry Christmas)

Holiday Havoc!

How in the WORLD are you supposed to diet and eat healthy during the holidays? This is the SOUTH! We had FRIED turkey for Thanksgiving. (and if you've never had fried turkey it is hands down the juiciest turkey you will ever eat) You see, we believe you can fry damn near anything in the south. We have fried Twinkies and fried oreos down here too. SO, we are not eating some baked sweet potatoes and some steamed green beans!! Hell no!!! We are eating fried turkey, sweet potatoes with loads of butter and sugar, green beans cooked with ham, macaroni with lots of real butter and a pound of Velveeta, and then some very fattening dessert. AND, we like it that way--don't plan on changing!

SO, the challenge is to exercise enough to help burn off some of the million extra calories you will eat from now to New Year's. For Christmas my family will eat a baked country ham. It is yummy and delicious----and LOADED with salt. There will also be homemade candy and various other goodies.

I have decided to set a little goal for myself between now and Christmas. I am going to lose 15 pounds before Christmas. This is a big goal, but if I set a big goal I'm hoping I will stay focused. I would actually like to lose 20 lbs., but given the previous paragraphs, you can see how that might be unrealistic. If I exercise daily, and eat well except for when at parties and various holiday gatherings, I think I can do this. I KNOW I can. Hold me accountable. Email me. Text me. Whatever. Just help me stay focused. I will try to blog more frequently, so if I haven't blogged, contact me to keep me in check. I look forward to it. (and I have caller id if you get a little too into it! )

Help, I'm Bent Like a Pretzel, and I Can't Get Up!

OMG!!! I did YOGA this morning! Wow! Let me just say, when you have a lot of fat around your middle (just picture the Michelin Man), you are NOT going to sit in the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, and get all flat and touch your toes. Forgive my ignorance, I don't know if that's a matter of physics, or what, but it ain't fuckin' happening! SO, I was not your "typical" YOGA student, but I liked it, and I will be doing it again. I don't know how much the skinny bitches behind me enjoyed it. I'm thinking the view may not have been so good for them. However, it may have been amusing :-))

I'm doing Zumba Monday, or at least that is the plan at this time. You have to have reservations for the Zumba classes, so I'm guessing there will be a million people in there. Guess we'll know Monday.

After all that YOGA, tonight we are going to my sister's house for Bunco. Everybody is bringing a finger food--so that equals diet disaster. AND, finger foods are my all time favorite. I will not even lie to you and say I'm going to eat veggies and hummus. I might, but I will be eating a lot of other junk food probably. Anyway, I must go now. Have a great weekend!

I Have Not Quit, but I Might Be On Hiatus :-))

I have definitely not been "on the program" lately. It is time, however, to regroup. SO, I will weigh in again on Monday morning. That gives me one week to get it together. I did not weigh this morning, but I had weighed at some point last week, and I had stayed the same. We'll see what I do this week.

I obviously need to exercise and eat better, but I'm also going to start reading my Women Food and God book at lunch again. I'm not saying that solves all my problems, but I DO believe reading on related subjects keeps you focused--at least it does for me. And, hey, whatever it takes. I also used to read Prevention all the time. That was also good for keeping you focused on your health. I haven't read that in a while. Maybe I should ask for a Prevention subscription for Christmas.

Anyway, I just have not been in the right "mind frame" lately. This is something to overcome. Its true what they say, one day at a time!

Did you watch Dr. Oz?

Did you watch Dr. Oz today? One of his topics was heartburn/acid reflux--or my favorite word ever . . . . GERD!!!! What kind of word is GERD?? Anyway, I learned a few things, and some things I already knew. For one thing (didn't really realize this), my FAT is pushing on my stomach, which helps to force the acid up and out of the stomach. Another thing I didn't know, your digestive system slows down in the evening. The doctor said it correlates with sun up and sun down. This is one more reason not to eat late in the evening, and if you do, to eat very lightly. I knew tight clothes contributed to acid reflux. But I can promise you, if I just ate some big meal, the last thing I want to be wearing is TIGHT CLOTHES. (not to mention the fact that fat people look especially bad in tight clothing) Over time acid reflux basically "sun burns" your esophagus, and can lead to esophageal cancer, which is one of the more difficult cancers to control/treat. Oh, and another thing I did NOT know, aspirin and ibuprofen can contribute to acid reflux/heartburn, as they can be very inflammatory to your stomach.

So, from now own when you stuff your face, remember if you OVER stuff to the point of causing heartburn/acid reflux, you could be increasing your chances of esophageal cancer. Not sure if that will keep me from over-serving myself, but its worth a try. In all seriousness, they said if you have heartburn more than twice a week for six weeks, you should seek medical attention. I probably should have been a doctor :)) All except for the fact I don't really like blood and guts. If I was going to subject myself to blood and guts I'd be a CSI tech!--Naaaah. Doctors probably make much better money. Oh well, guess there's no point worrying about either since I'm currently a wanna be real estate agent, who cleans houses to pay the bills!

"Good" Breakfast is KILLING Me!

So for the last three days my husband has cooked breakfast for me. Delicious too. One day was bacon and eggs, one was sausage, biscuits, and eggs, and one was pork tenderloin, biscuits, eggs, and fried potatoes. It was absolutely delicious. He is the perfect breakfast "cooker". HOWEVER, what I have realized is this: I cannot eat that stuff. OMG! It gives me terrible acid reflux. So much so, its not worth it. As good as "breakfast" is, that stuff just KILLS me. I believe I need to stick with my WW and/or Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches on English muffins, or maybe cereal w/fruit, or maybe oatmeal, or even an Egg Beaters omelet.

I also have to exercise EVERY day--or at least 5 out of 7 days. No matter what disease/disorder/sickness you learn about, EVERYTHING you watch tells you being overweight exacerbates that particular condition, and exercise improves/alleviates that condition. EVERYTHING. There is only one thing to conclude: you must exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. Doing it, however, is something else :)) That is what we must strive for.

Ok, the problem with counting on your workout "buddy" to keep you straight is that sometimes they get injured, and then you are on your own. So, I have not walked this week--or anything else for that matter. Of course, I must admit, every spare minute this week has been devoted to reading the book club book. So, I'm not sure how much walking I could have done this week. I have read in the mornings this week. The meeting is tomorrow night, and I MUST finish before the meeting. I'm not worried though. I'm almost done.

I definitely have to focus on changing my lifestyle. I'm a little stressed right now, and what I really want is a bag of salty potato chips--preferably with some dip. BUT that is not the right choice. I have been lax about blogging, and lax about eating healthy, and lax about exercise. (that's a lot of lax) I have not gained any weight, though. So, that's good. But, I should have lost huge amounts of weight by now, and I haven't. I can't dwell on that. I have to just move forward in a positive manner. I have not given up.

How to Keep Exercising Regularly

Make an appointment with someone. OMG! If I had not told my friend I would walk this morning, I would have SOOOOOO turned the alarm off and gone back to sleep. However, knowing she would be out there freezing her hiney off, I couldn't NOT show up. So, if you are having trouble exercising on a regular basis, find a friend/friends who will commit to exercising with you. You could let yourself down, but you probably won't let THEM down.

So, I have exercised some this week. I admit I did not walk last week on the days it was under 50 degrees in the mornings. I really have no excuse because even if its 20 degrees outside, I have a treadmill. I guess my goal for this week will be to walk Monday through Friday. I need to walk seven days a week, but one thing at a time!

I am still reading Women Food and God. I usually read just a few pages at lunch each day. Its kind of deep, so its good to read a little, and then "digest" it. For ME, its not a book I would sit down and just read right through. I don't know if you would really get anything out of it if you just breezed right through it. The part I have most recently read talks about loving yourself, and seeing yourself differently. If you love your "self" then you would love your body because your body is what's hauling your "self" around. Therefore, you would treat that body with love so as to keep it going at its best. Its kind of like trying to do for YOURSELF all the things you would insist on for people you love---your children, your spouse, parents, etc. You probably wouldn't let your child sit on the couch for hours upon hours and watch TV and eat potato chips and ice cream. You would want them to get exercise, and eat fruits and vegetables, etc. SO, why would you not insist on the same for yourself???? It REALLY is a deep book, but it makes you think.

All THAT to say, I am going to start exercising Monday through Friday, and I will also continue to improve my diet. I do not plan to be a food Nazi, but I need to eat good except for special occasions. That's my plan. Now I just have to STICK to IT!

Just checking in with everyone. Still walking more days than I'm NOT. I am actually concerned about the cold weather though. I go out in the morning, and I am FREEZING. This is saying something because I am NEVER cold. That coldness is not good for my motivation. I am planning to continue walking as long as my partner does. I am also thinking I'm going to stop at the Y on my way home from work--that's in ADDITION to walking in the mornings! That, my friends, is nothing short of a miracle!!! Of course, it also hasn't happened yet either :))

As for my eating, well . . . . it could be better, could be worse. This morning I had a Jimmy Dean turkey sausage/egg white sandwich thingy for breakfast. It was very good, by the way. For dinner, however, we are having stuffed shells. They might not be terrible. The sausage was pretty lean, and I drained and rinsed it too--when you are old, this cuts down on the heartburn/acid reflux. That and the cheese should be the only fat in the dish, and there is not a lot of cheese--seriously, there isn't.

We'll see how this week goes. My plan is to go to the Y after work, and to eat better--cut out some of the crappy stuff that I have let slip back into my diet recently. I'll let you know how that works out for me. I also need to concentrate on eating more fruits and vegetables--FRESH, that is. That's the plan.

Biggest Loser is Back!

Well, I realize we are a little slow, but we FINALLY watched last week's Biggest Loser. Its very inspirational. When you see those 400 lb people complete a 1 mile race, you know you can do it. Or, when you see them tally 500 steps, you know you can do that. I'm glad its back! Tonight they will be at the ranch, so they will experience real workouts with Bob & Jillian. On the previews on contestant said of their first workouts "people were crying for mercy in there". I went to the audition for Biggest Loser once, but was not chosen. When I watch them work out, I'm kinda glad! I might have DIED!!! OMG! Those workouts are BRUTAL, but inspirational because you KNOW if they can do that, you can surely walk around the block. (of course there were at least two people who fell out during the 1 mile walk last night, and the 500 steps)

I'm trying to get my eating back on track. God is trying to help me with that. I know this because when I tried to buy pretzel M&M's at Target, they were OUT! I took that as a sign. If you haven't tried pretzel M&M's . . . . DON'T--they are addictive.

So today I will be having an EverRoast Chicken Sandwich on a 100% whole wheat sandwich thin for lunch, and apples instead of chips, and yogurt for a snack. OH, and I have already gone walking this morning. My husband, because he is AWESOME, is making me an omelet with Southwestern Egg Beaters. They are yummy. Last night we had Spicy Potato Soup. It was great, and had to be very low in fat. The only fat in it was the hamburger meat, and I used Laura's Lean, and rinsed it. It was really good. I'm glad to share the recipe if anybody wants it.

Progress is being made. Stay tuned :)

I'm Still Here

AND, I'm still walking! This is HUGE for me. Of course I was doing so well with my eating, but not exercising. Now I'm doing much better about my exercising, and less good with my eating. So, the time has come to get on track. Biggest Loser also just started a new season, and that's always good for a little extra motivation.

Let me just say that I have been eating . . . umm . . . not great, but not terrible. However, I can tell you when I eat good I feel good, and when I eat bad I have acid reflux. If you don't suffer with acid reflux let me tell you it SUCKS! There's nothing like waking up choking because you have just inhaled this acid reflux into your lungs. It burns, and it tastes awful. It is definitely NOT how you want to wake up. It's unpleasant even when you are awake too. Fritos KILL ME! Do you know how good Fritos are with a bunch of dip???--especially if the dip is baked, and made with cream cheese??? It is SOOOOO NOT worth it. I am officially old! Actually, I think its my body, saving me from myself.

My refrigerator is fairly empty, and my cabinets need a little cleaning-out. I'm thinking its an especially good time to stock up on better, healthier food choices. Now all I need is some grocery money!

And I'm STILL Walking :))

Shocking, I know. I have to skip a day sometimes because my heel hurts, but I am still walking regularly, AND today we started taking a longer route. Now that I'm exercising I need to get my EATING back on track! I have definitely been off, but now that I'm exercising with some regularity, the eating is the easy part.

Having said that, we are having frozen pizza tonight for dinner. You see, being the procrastinator that I am, I have put off reading my book club book. SO, I need to read about 580 pages before Thursday night. Therefore I don't have time to cook. I really don't have time to blog either, but what the heck? There are no dishes to wash after blogging. There are no dishes to wash after frozen pizza either--two words--paper plates! See how things go at my house? :))

Oh, and by the way, Brian is also still running--you know he can't let me out-do him! Silly boy.

Yep. . . . STILL Walking

However, I WILL be taking the weekend off :) I walked this morning, though. Next week we are going to try taking a longer route. We'll see how that goes--time wise, and with my heels. My walking partner always has her cell phone, so she can call for a car--or an ambulance if the whole "taking-the-long-route" thing doesn't work out.

I did better with my eating yesterday. I had a Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwich thingy, then salad for lunch, and a turkey burger for dinner. Today, however, I had Cracker Barrel for breakfast, and quite frankly I'm STARVING right now. I mean STARVING. This is not good. I tend to make BAD food choices when I'm this hungry.

OH, and if you know my husband you will appreciate this. Brian was running for most of last year. When his schedule changed at work, his running slowly came to a stop. Brian may be the most competitive person I know. Well, now that I'm walking on a regular basis, guess who has been running this week??? LOL!! I can promise you its all because I'M exercising and he was NOT. He is hilarious. I'm just glad he's back on the program. It makes it much easier for me. I'm like George Washington though . . . . I cannot tell a lie . . . . if he was home I would TOTALLY be trying to talk him into going to Hooters for some fried pickles and some hot wings right now! I guess its a good thing he isn't home, huh?

Well, as much as I would rather put a STICK IN MY EYE, I have stalled long enough. I must go clean the house. Hope you have a great weekend.

Still Walking :))

Yep. You read that correctly. Now, I did not walk on Sat & Sun, and of course Monday was a holiday, but I have been walking since then. I have pretty bad heel pain some days, so I had to sit yesterday out. However, I have already walked this morning, and plan to walk tomorrow morning. I got new heel inserts, so hopefully that will make it all bearable. AND, my husband ran yesterday for the first time in a while, so this is encouraging. Maybe we'll start going to the Y in the evenings. That's my plan.

I still need to improve some of my eating habits. I think I am going to start counting something :)) Seriously, either calories or fat grams, because for a little while I think I need some limits. If you read Women Food and God it tells you NOT to count things, and don't diet. I'm a little conflicted about that, but I know I need some limits or boundaries until I can get a handle on this. I'm ready to lose serious weight, and I know what I have to do--PUT DOWN THE POTATO CHIPS AND GET MY ASS OFF THE COUCH!!! If I want to be a skinny bitch, I need to do what the skinny bitches do :))

This May Be A Record . . .

I have now walked (brace yourself) three days in a row. I'm pretty sure its a record, if not, its at least a good place to start. However . . . I get home and check my Facebook page, and find out my friend is at the hospital having ultrasounds, ct scans, and bloodwork---ALL FROM WORKING OUT. This just confirms what I have always suspected . . . . exercise will KILL YOU!!!!

I'm supposed to go to Cracker Barrell for breakfast this morning. Not sure yet what I will eat. I'm pretty hungry right now, and I'm not planning to eat freakin' oatmeal at Cracker Barrell. We have a birthday party to go to tomorrow. I may have to walk on the treadmill tomorrow morning to make up for the calories I KNOW I'm going to eat tomorrow night. We'll see. I'm not promising anything. BUT, that is probably what the skinny people would do.

I DID it!

You may want to sit down. . . . . . I went walking this morning!!! Can you hear the weight-loss angels singing "Hallelujah"? It wasn't bad either. The temperature was good--if you don't know, I don't like to sweat. (its kind of a problem when you need to lose weight) And, of course, I had good company--time just flew by. AND, (yes, there's more) we made an appointment to do it again tomorrow. I don't love exercise (ok, I hate it), but I love how I feel afterwards. PLUS, I am finally using my million dollar shoes! This is definitely a step in the right direction.

The next step is to get my eating back on track. I really don't think that will be hard. I know we are having Subway for dinner tonight. I always get a veggie sub. LOVE them--and, I'm pretty sure that's what the skinny people eat!