The week in review

Well I haven't been posting my calorie intaking, but have been counting them. I splurged a few times this week and had 2 1600 calorie days but that's still lower than what it would probably have been. I weighed in this morning at 214.9, so we are headed in the right direction. Now if I can just keep it up!

Meds Update

If I’ve already told you all this, I apologize… I don’t think I have though. As you know I was taking Phentermine several months ago and I also took it for 2 months in late ’05. Well I went to the doctor a few weeks ago because I was feeling exhausted, achy, unmotivated and I was having some chest pain too. She discovered that I had a heart murmur. They did a bunch of lab tests as well and everything came back normal. I had to go for and echocardiogram to determine the extent of the murmur. I go back this Friday to discuss. She told me to stop taking the Phen until we figured out what was going on. She didn’t say that the Phen caused the murmur, but I have my suspicions. I didn’t have a heart murmur before I took it (I had a complete check-up before I ever started it) but I do now that I’ve taken it for a little less than 3 months in total. 12 weeks is what the FDA approves. I liked taking it; I was never hungry and I had tons of energy. It was so easy to eat well. I’ve been thinking about other alternatives and then I stumbled upon an article in this week’s “Woman’s World”. It’s about diet pills and it compares the different ones. It also speaks to OTC options. It had some really good info, so I thought I’d share just a little of it here.

Phentermine – hits the brain’s appetite center and greatly reduces hunger, not the same as the killer Fen-Phen (although it did contain Phentermine, the Fen part was the deadly one), approved since 1959, approved for 12 weeks of use and should not be used by patients with heart or anxiety problems!!

Meridia – boost brains chemicals that extend satiety, approved since 1997, great if you struggle with portion control, doesn’t eliminate the urge to eat completely but that’s a good thing because it lets you develop skills to stay slim after you stop taking the meds, should not be used by patients with sleep or blood pressure problems.

Xenical – disables key enzymes and keeps 33% of fat calories from being absorbed, studies show people that took it lost 93% more weight than those that didn’t, approved since 1999, besides blocking fat calories; it gives you a stomach ache if you eat too much fatty food therefore encouraging you to avoid it which cuts calories even more, great if fatty foods are you’re weakness or if you have a health condition that keeps you from being able to take other diet pills.

Chromium Picollinate (OTC vitamin) – helps control a hormone that causes cravings and belly fat, the supplement most linked to lower levels of body fat, 400 mcg daily can eliminate intense sugar and carb cravings, especially beneficial for patients with big middles, up to 800 mcg daily is considered safe but check with your Dr. first

Calcium – (OTC vitamin) – stimulates the release of fat from cells, latest data shows that exercise burns 30% more fat in patients who get extra calcium, for maximum fat loss get 1200 mcg of calcium (from supplements or low fat dairy) and keep your total calories around 1200 a day.

So I guess I’ll add CP and Calcium to my shopping list.

Hey cuz...

I watched a show on Discovery Health last night called "YOU: The Owner's Manual". There is a book as well. It's by the 2 Dr's that are always on Oprah. Anyway, it was very interesting and very motivating. I'm going to go by the book today. It's not a diet book, it's just about living healthier and living longer. It's hard to explain everything that was in the show. I wish you could see it. Do you have the DH channel? They have a DVD set too (not the same show on DH, but probably better, it's twice as long as the show)

DVD http://shopping.discovery.com/product-59710.html

It explains how you can completely change your health in as little as 2 weeks. They follow the story of a lady that begin by drinking 4 6-packs of soda each day and ate high fat, high sugar foods. She didn't exercise either. After 10 weeks following the suggestions in the book, she had lost 20 lbs and looked 10 years younger.

The basics are that you only eat things that come from nature and only allow "treats" every now and then and in very small portions. You're not supposed to eat any foods where these words appear in the first 5 ingredients (sugar, high fructose, enriched, and 3 others that I can't think of. As for exercise, it's pretty mild. 30 minutes of walking each day, 60 minutes each week of cardio that makes you break a sweat and 30 minutes each week of weight lifting.

Once I've read the book, I'll comment on it more.

Walking

Well I read an article this weekend about walking. I was doing good...we had even joined the gym. So I am going to try something. I am going to walk AT LEAST 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks and not really change the way I eat and see how it helps. Just on the walking. Maybe if I do good on that I would be more motivated to eat better....

VERY GOOD POINT!!!

...about how we would be even bigger if we hadn't been at least half a**ing it for the past 9 months!! I like the way you think!

I used to use the expensive and time consuming excuse too, (ok I still do) but I just have to remind myself that heart disease and diabetes is very expensive and time consuming as well... not to mention deadly!!!

So True...

....your post below. Had we just hung in there all those times. This is not a good excuse but one none-the-less....it is just so time consuming and expensive to diet. Yeah I know...those are negative thoughts but I get discouraged because I so badly want to be small, small, small!!! UGH!!!! Okay - we can do this, we can do this, we can do this, we can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well a positive out of all of this...had we never tried at all...even if it is off and on imagine how big we would be!!!!

Monday - Traci Stats

B - Yogurt - 90, cup of coffee - 35
S - Banana - 80
S - Protein Drink - 60, Cheese toast - 120
L - Lean Cuisine - 250, Tomatoes and Cucumbers with Spritz Dressing - 40
S - 100 Calorie Pack Cookies - 100
S - Fat Free Pudding - 100
D - Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken and Fried Rice - 650

Total Calories - 1525
Total Water - 12 oz (gotta work on this)
Total Exercise - Walked for 30 minutes (while pushing a stroller with a 45 lb kid)

One day at a time.

Ok, so remember last week's post about how I was going to get back on the wagon and start posting, blah, blah, blah?? Well, that lasted all of one day, the posting anyway. The counting calories...well that lasted 2 days! What is up with me? I get so fired up and then 3 days into it, I fizzle out. The obvious answer is that I must not really want it. BUT, I do want it. I guess I just don't want to work for it. I've posted about this before and I still don't understand it. Rather than analyze it though, I've just got to but last week behind me and start fresh today. I'm just going to take it one day at a time. I'm not commiting to being on point for the rest of the week... I'm focusing on today and today only. I'll think about tomorrow when tomorrow gets here. So here's to today!

PS - When going back through the old posts and searching for the post that I liked to above, I realized how many times we have both said that we are starting again. Just think if we had really done it all those times before, we would be done with this site and wearing our skinny jeans right now!

Life Change

Have you ever come to a place in your life where you feel like you just need a change. My life has been so crazy lately. I can place no blame anywhere. Just life, you know? People change, people grow apart, arguments happen, no one is right or wrong but simply stating their American born right of having an opinion. Sometimes we just end up being different people. It is no ones fault, it is life, it happens. So today I am soul searching...life is feeling good...even with all the stresses I am facing now. Hopefully sooner than later I will be over this hump but in the meantime I am trying to enjoy the journey!

All About The Mindset

Well. I. Sure. Have. Had. A. Horrible. Mindset.

I am telling you I have been stressed to the max....as I know you have!!!! It seems like the more stressed I am the more food I force down the hatch! SO today - it is all about me!!! Brian is going to leave in the morning to go to drill. I am going to get up come to work with an open mind tomorrow. Pick up Baylee go home and "unclutter" my house Friday night and Saturday. I may get a pedicure and get my hair done. I might work on playing "catch up" at work. Then Saturday night a good friend of mine and myself may catch a late move or go "wal-marting" or get some coffee or something.

So you are thinking...what does all of this have to do with weight loss???? Well I think alot of my problem has been clutter and unorganization make me stressed...not to mention the past years drama building up on me.....when I am stressed I eat...so this weekend is going to be all about DESTRESSING!!!! In turn I will hopefully have a better mindset to start a new diet plan on Monday!!!

The Enemy

The evil Krispy Kreme monster reared it's ugly head again today. This morning as I walked down the hall towards the kitchen at work, I smelled the sweet, sweet smell of the enemy that was about to be in my face. I turned the corner and saw the spread... two dozen glistening hot donuts.

So what did I do?

I did what any woman does when faced with an enemy... I walked by them, stuck my snobby nose in the air and completely igmored them as I headed for the fridge to grab my yogurt. I grabbed the yogurt, turned around and walked out the door; not before I turned around and stuck my tonque out at them though.

So take that Mr. Krispy Kreme. You've won this battle one too many times and now it's war!

Bring it on!!

Play Ball

Ok, so I know I've said it a dozen times over the last few months... but this really is a new start. I really am back in game and ready to win!! I weighed in this morning at 216. Considering that I've pretty much blown it for the last few months, I'm actually pleased with that. I had gotten down to 209 for two days, but I would say my official lowest weight from the last time I "played the game" was 213, so I guess 3 lbs in the last 4 months isn't that bad. However it is a move in the wrong direction and it's time to put a stop to it.

So beginning today I will start tracking my food intake. I'm going to continue counting calories, but I'm not going to allow so much sugar and white flour foods. I've followed the Body For Life program in the past with great success so I'm going to stick with their food and exercise program, but still count calories. The one thing that BFL incorporates into their program is a "free day". Saturday will be my free day, but I'm still going to count calories and set my limit at 1600. I have to go grocery shopping before I can truly start BFL, but I am going to start counting calories today.

So here's to the first day of the last time that I say I'm back in the game..

B- Mini Whole Wheat Bagel w/T Polamer Jam - 160 / Coffee w/ cream and S & L - 40
S - Slice of 2% Cheese - 68
L - Ramen Noodles - 300
S - South Beach Bar - 100
D - Shrimp Alfredo - 265 / 2 rolls - 180
S - Fat free pudding - 100

Total Calories - 1213
Total Water - zero
Total Exercise - 30 minutes of walking

At A Loss

I AM A SLACKER

That is me alright. A blogging slacker!!! The summers are always so crazy for me because I am not on a schedule! Now that my daughter is back in school maybe things will be easier for me! I am going to TRY to blog at least once a week! No one may even be out there reading it but it is strange how my little personal blog - or my online diary - keeps me in line! It is like when I have pushed away from blogging everything else falls apart. I haven't figured out the link yet but I just know today I am getting back on the wagon on a lot of things in my life. One of the many things I need to do is update my pictures! Ha! They are a little outdated but in time it will happen!

I am still working as a paralegal, my daughter started 3rd grade, cheerleading (which by the way me and one of my best friends are coaching), gymnastics and I am going to school full time online through a local community college! Whew! Well sorry it has been awhile guys but I am back!!! Happy Labor Day!!!

MOTIVATION BABY

I am feeling great now that I feel - just because of our two post we are on the wagon!!! So I am not going to make my goal Christmas this year. My goal is what we have talked about for years and what we plan on doing in May. NEW YORK CITY HERE WE COME! So we know we want to go no matter what right? Why not make the trip more enjoyable by feeling better about ourselves? WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!

Dear Diary

We are accountable. Accountable for what you say? Ourselves and each other! I agree 100% with what Traci has said below. No one else may ever read this site...it may just be Traci and Tiff telling the world (or no one in particular) how life is! So I am just as guilty as Traci as not blogging. Reading your blogs Traci make me feel more motivated. I was so excited to see there was actually a post on this site! It has been awhile. So not only are we accountable to ourselves and our children but we have to be accountable to each other. To see you on here makes me more motivated to go with it! When we were blogging I was losing weight but the minute one of us slacks off BOTH of us slack off! So from now on I am going to try to remember it is not just me on here. I have to keep doing this for you, too! I am from now on going to be just accountable for your struggles as I am my own!! We CAN do this. The fact that we have even kept this site up is impressive in itself! That is step one!!! We just need to move beyond that! We can do it!!!!

Dear Diary...

Ok, so I got all motivated yet again and that lasted for about 2 days. It’s time to get with and stick with the program….once and for all!!! When I first started counting calories back in December, I stuck with it. Not a day went by that I was over 1300 calories. I’ve thought about what was different now from then and the ONLY thing that I was doing differently was blogging about it. I was writing about my progress everyday and I wanted the whole cyber world to know how I was doing. However, let’s face it we weren’t winning any blog awards or getting 100 hits a day. It was just me and Tiff. Looking back, I realized the blogging was really more for my own reading than anything. At that time, I felt like it was a waste of time to be blogging my progress because no one was reading it. But then again, do I really care if a bunch of strangers know how I’m doing? No, not really. So, I’m back. I’m blogging for the whole world of me to read. It keeps me on track. I would refer to this site as being more of a diary or journal than it is a blog. However anyone that wants the key to it, can have it and read it without the guilt that goes along with snooping into someone else’s private little world. I guess in the back recesses of my mind, I would hope that some other overweight, overwhelmed mom would stumble upon it and feel inspired to get up off of her own lazy butt and take control of her life. Regardless of that though, this mom is going to do exactly that and who cares if anyone else knows about it or gives me praise for it. So, for all of you out there that aren’t reading this or don’t even know it exist, get ready because I am back on the wagon and I’m not looking back.

Here We Go Again - For The Hundreth Time!!

So I started again today! Hopefully, this time will be better. I would like to be down a couple of pounds by my 27th birthday. I just recently heard of JUST THIS WEEK someone my age dying of a heart attack! I can't imagine! Anyway, I am just trying to spread smaller meals out through the day. Here is what I had today.

8:00 - Honeybun & Glass of Milk
9:30 - 8oz Water
11:30 - Pickle spear, half of roast beef sandwich (wheat w/mustard) & a quater of ham sandwich (wheat w/mustard) - 16 oz water
12:45 - 8oz of Water
2:15 - 6 crackers with Tuna Fish on it
3:50 - Dole peaches w/strawberry jello fruit cup

I plan on getting more water in and eating a light dinner. I have alot to do around the house as far as unpacking from vacation and getting ready for bunco this week SO I will see about exercising or not tonight - depends on if I have time!!

Works For Me Wednesday & Sad News

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY

My works for me Wednesday this week is a short and sweet one. To make your car smell nice in the summer time you can do one of two things very cheap! If you have any half used or melted candles - you can put them in a plastic grocery bag and tie the bag up and place under the seat of your car. For a stronger smell you can place it in some sort of plastic bowl etc without the lid and when your car heats up from the summer sun it fills your car with a wonderful smell! The second is to do the same thing but use a bar of soap - the kind with fragrance. I know short and sweet!

SAD NEWS

The first thing is one of my grandmothers passed away last night. It was expected and we know she is no longer in pain but hard on the family none the less. Please keep our family in your prayers.

Also, recently I had two very close friends hurt me. It was quite possibly unintentional. I am not mad but just hurt. After I was confronted I prayed about it and then decided to respond with honesty about how I felt about the situation. More over I just asked that we all just try to start over on a clean slate and life is too short and too hard for friendship to be a "competition" or for friendship not to be "50/50" in the giving department. I am not asking for a big explaination. I would love just to hear for once from both of them "I am sorry I hurt you and lets ALL work on this together and get our friendship back in order." We have been friends since Jr. High so it makes it tough. Anyway, I haven't heard back which makes me sad but you can only do so much. I want to contact them but I am not going to beg anyone to be my friend. If they want to be then I will just pray that they will try to see my side and confront me and lets move on from this. I would love to have them over this weekend and lets just relax and start fresh but I see no way of that happening unless they get back with me first.

So the sadness of both of these things is overwhelming today.

It's A Girl!

I found out bright and early this morning that my best friend is having a baby girl! Yeah! She already has one beautiful daughter so I am sure this one will be just as beautiful! Now I REALLY have baby fever! Ha!