Big Decision!

I've tried.

I've tried to come out here and write and share and I've failed.  My heart just isn't into blogging anymore.  I'm blogged out!  I guess I've shared for so long (since 2007) I'm shared out.  I feel like I need more.  I need more interaction.  I want encouragement.

I spent the last week really thinking about this and I've decided to shut this down.  I may change my mind at some point in time or I may decide to change this into a life blog about what I love to do.  I just don't know.  I'm just tired about writing about weight loss.

What I have decided to do is start a weight loss support group on Facebook.  It will be a closed group so you have to be invited by me to be a part of it.  I have several friends who want to commit to helping and supporting each other...encouraging...because this battle is hard!!!

So...if you want to be a part of the group, leave me a comment and give me your Facebook name and I'll friend you and send you an invite!

I'm hoping you will!

Can't Believe It!!!...

I'm sick!

I was cold all day today and tonight the horrible chills started again.  (I couldn't write last night so I'm back dating this!)

Here is Part 5 to my newsletter:

Fat Loss Problem #5: Your Diet

If you consistently eat the wrong food, then you're weight loss efforts will all be in vain.

To put it bluntly, you need to stop eating junk.

Processed foods, refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup do not belong in your diet if you want to be in great shape.

• Cut these items out of your diet and replace them with real whole foods like lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fruits.

• Don't eat processed foods. Even though processed foods are accepted by our society, they contain tons of chemicals and empty calories that will make you sick and fat.  If the food comes in a bag or box -- avoid it!  That means drive-thrus and pizza delivery, but also all those so-called "healthy" snacks or food items you can find in the center aisles of the grocery store!

• Fat - even the healthy ones like nuts and avocados - contains twice the caloric density of protein and carbohydrates, so make sure to limit the amount that you consume. Eat lots of lean proteins and wholesome carbohydrates from plants and whole grains.

• Vegetables, dried meats, fruits, nuts and seeds are filled with fiber and antioxidants which are vital for healthy weight loss. Snack on these instead of packaged treats.

I'm not sure if I agree with all of this.  I eat all the avocados I want.  I love them and they haven't stopped my weight loss!  I don't eat grains except Quinoa and I don't eat nuts.  At least for now.  I do believe this with processed food and SUGAR!

Hopefully today will go better and the fever will stay away.  Hopefully I will have something to write about!

Later!  Pray for me!

Here we go....

Part 4 of the newsletter:

Fat Loss Problem #4: Your Commitment

How many times have you tried to lose weight, only to give up a week or two later? We live in a commitment-phobic world, so it's no wonder that you routinely abandon your goals.

If you truly want to lose weight then your commitment to the process is a must.

• The margin between success and failure is bridged by your commitment. Don't give up until your goal has been achieved.

• Treat exercise with the same importance as a work meeting, and you'll never skip it at the last minute. Find three available 60-minute time slots in your schedule and mark them (in pen) on your calendar. Now stick to your schedule.

• If you don't give up, then you'll never fail.

Are you committed?

I am.  I swear even though I'm floundering, I will not give up.  I will win this battle!!!

I texted Michael today and told him I was struggling.  He didn't call me right back but he did call me this evening and we talked.  He told me not to lose the fact of how far I've come.  70+ lbs in less than a year.  That is nothing to be ashamed of.  I have come far and I will continue.  I told him I really had wanted to lose 100 lbs within a year of being so sick.  He told me that we could do it.  If not by the end of March we could by the first part of April.  He said he was changing some things.  He said that he would get with Janet and go over things and make some changes.  He told me that we would talk on Sunday.  He also wants me to push my steps up to 3,000 a day as much as my foot will tolerate.

Oh boy, here we go!

Stay tuned!!!

Excuses!

Here is Part 3 of my newsletter:

Fat Loss Problem #3: Your Excuses

Your excuses for being out-of-shape are getting old. An excuse takes less immediate effort than an action, but in the long run the action taker always has the advantage. Don't allow excuses to ruin your life any longer.

• Don't skip out on your responsibilities with excuses, instead expect more from yourself.

• Focus on the big reason why you are losing the weight. Make a list of the benefits you'll enjoy once you achieve your goal, and read them first thing each morning.

• Remember that you can only have two things in life: excuses or results. Which do you want?

Have you been around someone that did nothing but make excuses?  oes it make you as crazy as it does me?  OMG!  You want to get on my last nerve...start making excuses...one after another after another...and then make an excuse for making excuses!

I have a friend whose life is just that.  Hates her circumstances but just wants to bitch and moan about it and not want to do anything about.  She can some up with the best damn excuses.  Wants to lose weight but just can't.  She rolls around her house in a oversize office chair because her knees hurt.  Can't eat right because of limited funds but has 2 people living with them.  One is her daughter's boyfriend and the other is her niece who makes $50K a year rent free.  Her husband is going to school at near 60 and has never really held a job.  They live on her disability and money he gets from a school loan that they will have to pay back.  I got caught up in her circumstances in the beginning, helped financially, loaned one of my computers to them which I probably will never get back because doing so means I have to go get it.  I never want to go back to their house after they told me the story how snakes get in all the time.  I could write a year long blog listing excuses coming out of her mouth,  Some are real doozies!

I know we all can make excuses from time to time.  It is normal.  I do it.  I'm sure you have too.  But for nothing but excuses that come out of your mouth something is majorly wrong!  I can sit and recall just my last conversation with her a week ago.  I want to scream!  I can't because my Mom... I can['t because we don't have any money...I can't because they eat all the meat...I promised my sister before she died I would help her daughter get on her feet...I can't charge her rent because I promised Evelyn...We can't put the puppy out because Lokie would try to kill it...I can't go to the Dr. cause we on't have any money...GET MY DRIFT?

Please kill me if I ever get like this!!!!!!!

I want action in my life!  Do you?

Busy Day!

I did make it to the gym today and got a real good work out!  It felt good!  I was the only one in the class and Justin worked me hard.  I was tired when we got through.

I thought my hair appointment was tomorrow but as I left the gym I received a text message reminding me it was at noon today!  I hurried home changed clothes and barely made it.  My hair looks good though and it is nice not to have my bangs hanging in my eyes.

My eating was not good today as I grabbed a sandwich for lunch because I was starved and it was after 2:00 when I got through with my hair.

I did get a short nap in late in the afternoon and Mark and I were busy taping and watching our Tuesday shows.  We are tired and ready for bed now.  Tomorrow is laundry and the gym again!

Here is another part of the newsletter I got from Downsize:

Fat Loss Problem #2: Your Fear

Change makes most of us nervous – even if it is a change in the right direction. You may not be consciously aware of the fear you have of getting into shape. Until you conquer this fear, your weight loss efforts will be blocked by self sabotage.

Professional speaker and author, Anthony Robbins outlines three specific beliefs that you must have in order to conquer your fear and instantly create a lasting change.

• Believe that something MUST change.   

 You can't be wishy-washy about it. You can't be considering it. You can't even be pretty sure about it.You've got to be rock solid in your belief.

• Believe that YOU must change it.

You can't pass the buck of responsibility and expect to lose weight. It's on your shoulders. Other people will prove to be great assets in your journey, but in the end you are the one who is going to make it happen. You have to want this weight loss enough to make it your personal mission.

• Believe you CAN change it.

You may have failed in the past, but that doesn't matter. When you put your mind to it, you're able to do amazing things. Do you believe that you are capable of losing weight? Once you own the belief that you can, you'll be unstoppable.

I do have fear of the unknown.  I really need to work on this.  What am I going to look like?  Will I be able to live with all the loose skin if I can't get approved for skin surgery or have the $$ for it?  I know my focus needs to stay on getting healthy.  Sometimes it hard.  Also being nearly 60 my skin is already looking bad.  Why did I let this go on for so long?!!!!

Do you have fear?

Share with me.  Please!

Cold!

I was cold all day long and I kept trying to think of those who are dealing with snow and frigid weather.  Not temps in the upper 30's and 40's!  But I had a hard time staying warm,

Today was a laundry/cleaning day.  I also did my hair and got a little stitching done.  I'm grateful that my eating is getting better each day.  Hopefully this week I will have a better weight loss.

Wait!  Did I post Sunday that I lost a whopping .8 lbs?  Miracle!  I promise that was a gift from above but I will take it!

I did get a news letter today from Downsize and I want to share it.  I'm going to do it in parts so that it can soak in because I think it is important.  Here is part one:

Can't Slim Down?  Here Is Why...

Wanting to lose fat, and failing at it, is one of the most frustrating experiences ever.

One or several of the following 7 Fat Loss Problems may be what is standing in your way of fat loss.  Keep reading to find out how to quickly and easily begin reshaping it all.
 

Fat Loss Problem #1: Your Mind

Your mind is your number one ally when it comes to achieving your goals. However, until your mind has been programmed for success, it will do more to derail your efforts than to help you.

• Take a few moments each day to visualize yourself at your ideal weight.Imagine how it feels to look the way you've always wanted.

• Protect your mind from any negative self talk. If a negative thought comes to mind, immediately reject it.

• You want to be slim and fit, and yet you think of yourself as out-of-shape and fat. Re-program your mind to think of yourself as fit and attractive, and you will be well on your way toward achieving your goal.

• Give up the belief that you can't achieve the body you've always dreamed of. See it first in your mind, and then in the mirror.

I can tell you this is huge!  I've been working at this and it is so important!  It took me weeks in the beginning before I was able to look myself in the eyes and tell myself that I was going to be ok, that I was beautiful and I loved myself.  Then I told myself that I was worth it!  Belief does change you!  Without belief you will never change!  Read it again...Belief does change you!  Without belief you will never change!  Thank you Michael!

I also promised to share the recipe that I made Saturday night.  Here it is and it is excellent!

Spanish Quinoa

(Serves 4 as a main dish, 6 as a side)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well

• 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes with green chilies, un-drained

• 1 cup water or low-sodium vegetable broth

• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt (use less if using vegetable broth)

• 1 cup frozen green peas

• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and uncooked quinoa. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and the quinoa is golden, about 7 to 9 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes, water or broth, chili powder, cumin powder and sea salt. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Remove lid, add frozen peas, and simmer until any remaining liquid evaporates and peas are heated through.

3. Garnish with green onions.

It makes a delicious meal as is, but you can also try adding a can of rinsed and drained pinto beans at the same time as the green peas, topping it with 1-2 eggs cooked to your liking, or adding in cooked shredded chicken. My favorite way to eat it is with a sunny side up egg and avocado.

Now what I did is I made the recipe but I added a drained and rinsed can of black beans and I baked a pound of chicken breasts and I cut it into bite size pieces and added them when the recipe said to add the green peas.  It was delish and will be repeated often!

I found the recipe at the following link:

http://girlbikelove.com/2012/01/healthy-recipes-spanish-quinoa/

This girl's recipe won a contest that Whole Foods put on.  I've made it plain and took it to my niece's house to go with chili and everyone wanted the recipe.  It is so good!  If you have never tried Quinoa this would be a good way to do it!  Just remember to always wash Quinoa 3 times soaking in in a fine mesh sieve in a bowl of water till the water is clear.  It gets rid of the funky taste.  Do it even if it says it has been pre-washed!!!  It hasn't and it does make a difference!!!

Enjoy!

Catch Up!

Sorry about this!  We ended up watching movies till 3:00 in the morning.  We didn't wale up till after 10 this morning!

Saturday was spent doing some cooking, watching TV and cross-stitching.  I did finally make a recipe that I wanted to do at Thanksgiving, put it off till Christmas and still didn't get it made.  I guess today was the day and here is the recipe.  It is clean and boy it is good!



Paleo Pie Crustprint

• 2 cups blanched almond flour
• ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 egg

1. Place flour and salt in food processor and pulse briefly
2. Add coconut oil and egg and pulse until mixture forms a ball
3. Press dough into a 9-inch pie dish
4. Bake at 350° for 8-12 minutes

Makes 1 pie crust

I must tell you to spray your pie plate with Pam or grease it with some coconut oil as my piecrust did stick!  I also did not pre-bake this pie crust.



Paleo Pumpkin Pieprint

• 1 (15 ounce) canned pumpkin puree (or 1½ cup homemade pumpkin puree)
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup coconut milk
• ½ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon celtic sea salt
• 1 Paleo Pie Crust, unbaked

1. In a food processor combine pumpkin puree, and eggs
2. Pulse in coconut milk, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
3. Pour filling into Paleo Pie Crust
4. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes
5. Allow to cool then refrigerate for 2 hours to set up

Makes 1 pie

My filling was thicker than the picture.  It filled a 9-inch pie plate and that is what I recommend you to use.  Mine did not cook in 45 minutes, it took over an hour.  Next time next time I will cook it about 15 minutes at 425 degrees and the lower the temp to 350 for 40-50 minutes till knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.  I hope you will try it.

One other thing.  I think the next time I make it I will add just a little more cinnamon.  Mis the filling without the eggs and taste it to see what you think!

Here are the links that I found for this pie.  I want to give credit to the creator and author!

Crust:

http://elanaspantry.com/paleo-pie-crust/

Pie:

http://elanaspantry.com/paleo-pumpkin-pie/

I don't want to load you up with recipes on this blog post so I will share tomorrow what I made for dinner!  It was delicious!  I don't think I've posted that one!

Today was a lazy day!  We watched TV, didn't cook which means my eating was off a bit.  We did make good choices though.  I cross-stitched while we watched the Oscars and I had to rip it all out because I was off but I did get it all put back in.  I am starting to hate this angel!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy cold day!  I am getting back to the gym!  Thank you Grover, Melanie and Justin.  I also have to get up early to wash my hair!

Better get some sleep!

Till tomorrow!