NOT Waiting For The New Year! (Fitness Challenge December 2012)

Last month I was able to hit my latest goal of being able to be weighed on the scale at the gym.  It took me MONTHS to get there, bouncing up and down in a 10 pound area.  That shouldn't have happened. Yes, there were stresses in my life, sickness and other things, but the more excuses I come up with the farther from my other goals I get.
A lot of people say, "Ill just make it through the holidays, and start new after January 1st".  That's not the attitude to have.  That's giving ourselves permission to overeat on the holidays, and then we have an extra 10 pounds to get rid of.  And if we all kept our new years resolution, we wouldn't have to RE-make it EVERY YEAR!  I am NOT waiting for New Years!  It is the beginning of the month, and I am making it count.  Excluding Sundays and holidays, I have 22 chances to workout at Curves this month.  I am determined to make it to at least 18 of those.  I will go on at least 20 walks this month, and I will leave the last 2 bites of every meal on my plate.  There are other small things I plan on doing, but I need to get back to where I was. There was a point last year where it was a daily routine and it didn't matter what was going on, a workout and walk were just as important to me as anything else in my day and that's gonna happen again!
It will take determination, motivation, and support from all of you!  I can say I have a huge support system in place and thank God for those who push me! Thank you!  I will update how I am doing half way through the month!

Killin it Today!

Burned 744 calories at the gym this morning! What!? I have never done that unless I did a workout AND zumba together. Of course, the computer DID raise my PI by 20 points this morning..lol Glad I went today. I had a 4 hour fight with myself about going and won! Some days it is very difficult to get up and go, especially when I am not feeling well, but the rewards after are endless.  Not only does it result in weight loss and muscle build, but when you are done, you feel a sense of self accomplishment that can never be achieved without hard work.  I hope this will motivate someone else who was gonna skip the gym today to GET UP AND GO!!!!!

Back to Blogging!

I FINALLY got my desktop back up and running!  It will be soooo much easier for me now to work and post on my blog.  Trying a fish recipe tonight so will post a new recipe tomorrow!  Dont forget to check out my new goals, completed goals, and take my latest blog poll!  Looking forward to posting new pictures and recipes!!!!!

The Journey Continues

well, im still on my phone.  i want to try and continue to post even while my desktop is down.  i wont be able to change layouts, or add pictures, but i can type!  a friend and i recently started holding each other more accountable.  we both seem to have the same health problems and the same goals in life.  so why not help eachother, right?  this wont even let me start a new paragraph...very frustrating!  anyways, we are both gettings ourselves back on track, and hopefully my weight counter will start moving soon!

Forever and A Day

it seems a lot longer than march since i last blogged.  we recently moved in june and i dont have my computer up so i am using my phone.  it is very hard to do this from the phone.  it wont even lets me use caps!!! lol well once i have my computer up and running i will get right back into it all.  updated pictures, new recipes, new goals.

Back on Track

Well so much has been going on in my life and its been so long since I have wrote on my blog. I seem to have been on a bit of a platform and my weight has stayed the same the last couple of months. As the weather gets warmer I seem to want to get out and do more. Maybe it was the winter blues...not sure.
We are planning on going camping for a week in June. I cant wait to go. I am in the middle of swim suit shopping and there is nothing like that to remind you of the weight you need to lose! lol
I have not completely lost my focus. I am still working out and losing inches. I completely got rid of all of my 5x clothes and am officially into 4x...that felt good. Pray for me as this is such a struggle in my life. Please encourage me when you can. Dont be afraid to ask me how things are going. I am very open and honest about my weight loss and it will help keep me on track. Anyone who has ever tried to lose a few pounds knows the struggles of losing that weight. Now imagine you had to lose 250 pounds....long long LONG road ahead of me...I have lost 65 so far and i want to lose another 10 in the next 2 months. I have been battling that 440 mark for a few months now and it seems I cant just tip over it. I am gonna do it before I go camping...KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It has been awhile. I have gotten away from my blog for a bit and am really having a hard time getting back into it. I have a few recipes to post. I got a bunch of nice recipe books for Christmas and my birthday and cant wait to try them out.

I have not been weighed yet for the month of January. I have had so many health problems in the last month or so I feel like I have really gotten away from the gym. I am back now and going strong. The biggest loser has the theme this season as "NO EXCUSES"! I have to definitely adopt that this year. So now, I examine what I have accomplished in 2011. I lost 65 pounds, over 30 inches, and I went down from a 6x to a 4x!!! I have a lot of people who say, I wish I could say that, but you can! It takes time. We didn't get this way overnight. It took me 28 years to get to this size. I cant wait to see what 2012 holds in store for not just me, but all of my weight loss friends and family.

Weigh in - Month 9

Well the good news is that I lost another 3 inches....the bad news is that I gained 4 pounds. Now obviously you cant lose inches and gain fat at the same time so most likely it is either muscle or water weight. I was sick for the entire month of November and only made it to the gym 8 times last month. But, this is the start of the new month...only 3 days in, but I have been to the gym every single day.

Today we played football and I outplayed my husband! He had to go sit down and take a break....the only break I took was to use the restroom, but I take water pills...lol.

Sometimes I feel like I am just going back and forth right at that 440 mark and not getting anywhere, but the things I can do now, and without taking a nap is amazing, and feels amazing! Its taking me a bit to get there, but when I hit that 440 mark and am able to be weighed at Curves it will feel sooooo good. Maybe January 1st?

Cinny Update

Wow...it has been a month since I have posted...but so much has been going on! I sick for 3 weeks! When I say sick, I mean S-I-C-K! Even had a trip to the ER...was not fun. I felt better, got back to the gym, and then BOOM! My body decided to do its own thing, once again, and I have been down for another week. I am just now started to be able to walk around the house and hoping to be healed up by thanksgiving time.

Well my weight has leveled off a bit with all of this going on. I am at 442 right now, which I OK. I get weighed again in 2 weeks and am hoping for a few pounds or inches. As long as I have lost something, I will be good. These months will come and go in my life and I can either accept them, or throw a fit and binge on food. I would rather accept them!

With being sick I haven't made too many new recipes let alone take pictures of them. Here is a couple of yummy pictures that I HAVE made this month. Made my famous lasagna, and then a plate of chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin bread. Love, love, LOVE, the first loaf of pumpkin bread for the season....nothing like it!

Recipe of the Week (Hearty Steak Dinner)

Another "hit it out of the ball park" recipe! I love, love, LOVE when I find recipes like this...the protein is high, and the calories are low...the sodium isn't bad either! I would be nice for a cold winter day, a potluck, or just a nice, one-dish meal.

1 lb. round steak, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, well trimmed

1/4 cup A.1. Thick & Hearty Steak Sauce

1/4 cup KRAFT FREE Italian Dressing

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 small cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. new potatoes, quartered

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrot

CUT steak into 6 equal portions; place in large baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Mix steak sauce, dressing, onion and garlic; pour over steak. Cover. Marinate 1 hour in refrigerator.ADD potatoes and mushrooms to ingredients in baking dish; cover.

BAKE at 350°F for 1 hour or until steak is cooked through and potatoes are tender, adding frozen vegetable blend to baking dish after 45 minutes.

* It says to marinate the meat for one hour...I did more than an hour and it came out VERY tender.

Calories

190

Total fat

3 g

Saturated fat

1 g

Cholesterol

35 mg

Sodium

390 mg

Carbohydrate

25 g

Dietary fiber

4 g

Sugars

5 g

Protein

18 g

Vitamin A

30 %DV

Vitamin C

40 %DV

Calcium

4 %DV

Iron

15 %DV

Recipe of the Week (Swirled Pumpkin Bars)

This recipe is soooo yummy!!!! We took these to the Halloween parade with us as a snack. Very festive for the holidays.

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• 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
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• 1. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in 2 eggs, pumpkin, and 1/3 cup water until well blended, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and nutmeg; stir or beat into butter mixture until well blended. Spread batter evenly in a buttered and floured 10- by 15-inch baking pan.
• 2. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, remaining egg, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until smooth.
• 3. Drop cream cheese mixture in 24 evenly spaced 1-tablespoon portions over batter. Pull a knife tip through filling to swirl slightly into batter.
• 4. Bake in a 350° oven until center of pumpkin batter (not cream cheese mixture) springs back when touched, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan, then cut into 24 bars.
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Note:

You can chill them airtight for up to 3 days.




• Calories: 164
• Calories from fat: 38%
• Protein: 2.6g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated fat: 4.2g
• Carbohydrate: 23g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sodium: 130mg
• Cholesterol: 45mg




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Weigh in - Month 7

Well, I DID get weighed today...it said 446. 2 weeks ago it said 441, and then last week it said 458! My official weigh in last month was 450 so it says I have lost 4 pounds. I am quite disappointed with myself, making excuses not to go to the gym. NO MORE EXCUSES! This month we are gonna rock the gym! We are planning a trip to Michigan in May and I really want to lose almost 100 pounds before then. I CAN DO IT! KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!

Playing Catch Up

Hello my dear friends and supporters! I have missed you all! Did you think I wasn't coming back? As of today, we are completely moved! YAY! So much has happened in the last couple of months. Last time I was on here, I believe I was 455...I am now 441! In the last month I have had so many victories...I got rid of all of my 5x clothes and am officially into 4x! I played football and went for my first jog! With my husband working, a lot of the move has fallen on me and my sister in law and I have accomplished so many things I never thought I could do, or lift. I FINALLY was able to get onto the leg press at the gym, and every day since then! I am sure there is more that I am missing..I will post as I think of them.

I got my sister in law and my niece to join Curves with me. With moving, we have only been able to go 3 or 4 days a week, but now it is back to 6 days a week. I have taken my 6 month pictures, even though it has been almost 7 months.

Here are a few pictures of some of the yummy foods I have made. Starting in a couple of weeks I am going to start my "recipe of the week" again. This is a java chiller you can easily make non or low fat...and then a version of pork low mien.

Our whole life is changing in so many ways and it is going to take some time to get a routine and schedule down. I get weighed again on Monday and am hoping to hit 440. I will post when I know! Its good to be back!

Blog Update

Just wanted to give an update of whats going on in my life. The van is now fixed so I am back to the gym, which feels awesome! I was not able to go for about a week or so. I DID walk every day and stuff, but I dont feel like it was quite enough, so I am hoping I will not have gained that month. Got 2 weeks to work hard on losing before I get weighed again.
We got approved to move where we were looking at. We are moving in with Davids family. Both families are struggling to pay the bills. We can pay our bills, but with no savings after, and when something happens like the van breaking down, it causes us to fall behind on other bills. Some people will think we are crazy for moving in together, but we dont care. We have been praying and thinking about this and part of my prayer was for the Lord to allow this to happen if it was His will and everything has seemed to fall right into place! And both families will be able to pay all bills on time AND put money into savings! A lot of people are starting to combine families because of the economy and I dont blame them...its tough.
Besides that, nothing else is new. My schedule is all out of wack right now but once we are fully moved in it will get back to normal. I will have lots of new posts, and yummy recipes for you all.

Also, please pray for a friend of mine's son...his name is Azariah and he is turning 1 this month. Was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and started treatment yesterday...it went well but please continue to pray for this baby AND his family. thanks

Weigh In - month 5

I just realized I had forgotten to post my weigh in. So the scale was not so nice and it said that I had gained 4 pounds. But i did not get discouraged and I waited until I got measured, which THAT said I lost a few inches. Must either be water or muscle. There is so much going on right now and I dont have too much to say. Its either write 3 pages worth of stuff, or say nothing....lol. We are in the process of moving so there may not be too many posts in the next month or so. BUT I will keep you updated as much as I can. I am not at home right now so I dont have any new recipes to try out, but soon...:)

Back in Action!

Well it has been almost an entire week since I have gone to the gym. Today is Thursday and I didn't go last Friday or Saturday because of the heat. It reached 114, feeling like 123, and I didn't feel that I should risk it with my health. I took David to work that day and got sick just from driving! Then we were out of town with family Sunday and Monday. Then I was so exhausted Tuesday I kind of just chilled. Wednesday was a bad day. I just could not get around to do anything! I packed my gym bag last night so I had no excuse this morning. Boy was it tough to get up and go this morning, but I did! So hopefully this will put me back on track.

I really wasn't quite "off track". I stay on track with my eating, AND I was VERY active the whole time. So even though I was not at the gym, I was doing what I needed to do.

I am glad that I have figured out that you can go out of town, have a great time, and still live healthy. I feel like I can do so much more this way! How exciting!!!

Knoebel's Grove!!!

WOW! I had such a great time! It was a bit humid in the first part of the day, but then it rained at lunch time and supper time and completely cooled everything off. I got a little pink on my shoulders, but nothing too bad. And the rain chased everyone away, so there were no long lines! Since the rain happened at meal times, it didn't keep us from doing anything...it really was a perfect day to go!

Last year I had to use a scooter and I went on 2 rides. I could not fit on anything else, and if I COULD fit, I couldn't get on and off without hurting myself so I didn't go. THIS year, I brought my cane, but it stayed in the van the WHOLE time! Didn't even THINK about getting it out! And I brought my handicapped card, which will let me go to the front, and I didn't use it, I waited in line like a normal person! AND I went on at least 7 different rides, SEVERAL times! I did sooo much more than I have ever been able to do. I am really feeling everything I did yesterday, today, but I am so proud of myself and it only makes me want to work harder. I REALLY want to go on the roller coasters next year so we will see! I had too many NSVs to count them all! I think yesterday was one big NSV!

Oh, and the shirt and capris I am wearing are a 4x! One size down!!!!!

Cravings and Websites

This past week I ended up having a HORRIBLE craving. But instead of telling you about it, I will give you a link. A newly acquired friend of mine has an excellent website, www.antigurufitness.com. He helped me through the craving by not just encouraging me, but making a deal to write about me on his website if I overcame the craving and we both held up our end of the bargain. Here is the direct link to the article about me www.antigurufitness.com/?p=47. I did later this week eat something I should not have, but it was NOT a craving, just a bad choice. Today is a new day and we move on! KEEP MOVING FORWARD! I invite you to check out his website and explore it!

Just Catching Up

Not too much to talk about right now. Going strong with the weight loss. Next friday will most likely be my next post. I am trying a new recipe then and will share. I am still going to the gym everyday, but I am so tired. My CPAP mask broke on me so until I can get a new one, I will be out of energy. Trying not to let it get me down...moving on and taking naps when I need to, which means I AM sleeping a lot, but if I didnt, I would not make it to the gym. Hopefully we can get it soon!

New Rules!

Made a list of newly refined rules for myself. Most of these I already do, some are new, the others I have stepped it up a bit. Last night I looked in the mirror and for the first time saw my belly button without lifting up my stomach. I don't remember the last time that happened! The first month or so I didn't see or feel anything happening, but it seems like every week I see some new development with my body....so exciting!!!