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Thursday, October 28, 2010

By Request: Becky’s Green Protein Smoothie

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The pictures show step by step the making of my breakfast everyday (almost). The cup pictured holds 24 oz and there was still a little left in the food processor.  My blender died so I now use the processor and it works great!

The Recipe: 4-6 cups spinach (2 large handfuls)
2 cups frozen fruit of your choice (I sometimes just do strawberries)
1/2 banana (for flavor and potassium)
1 scoop protein powder
1 cup water (or milk)
Process until it is the consistency you like.  You can add more water or milk if you like it thinner or add ice for a thicker smoothie.

Monday, October 25, 2010

I created a new recipe…

Becky’s Whole Wheat/ Flax Seed Crackers

3 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup flax seed finely ground

1 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 cup water

1/4 cup canola oil

Mix all ingredients together.  Roll out half of the dough onto a large cookie sheet.  You want the crackers to be very thin.  Sprinkle with salt and flax seeds (optional).  Cut with pizza cutter then dimple with a fork.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 min. Makes 180 crackers.  14 calories each or for a regular cracker serving of 25 grams it is 120 calories. Every calorie is healthy so enjoy!!!

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Running and Gratitude

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This picture was taken last Wednesday after running4 miles.

I love to run!  I can’t even believe that the word run is really a part of my life but it is.  I started running back in May and it is amazing the progress that I’ve made since then.  When I started I’d average 14:30/mile on a 3 mile run.  Now I can keep a pace of 9:30-10:00 min/mile on a 4 mile run.  WOW!  I run 4 miles twice a week with my friend Daina.  This morning even though it was sprinkling and even a few snow flakes fell we went out and ran our 4 miles! I am so thankful for her pushing me to start running with her.  She has helped me to push myself to run farther and faster.  It is so wonderful to be surrounded by friends that help me reach my goals and support my desire for a healthy lifestyle!  So today I am so thankful for running,  my healthy strong body and for friends.  I can never end a thankful post without expressing my gratitude for my loving husband that supports me and of course my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ that have given me the strength everyday to continue on this journey for a healthy rest of my life.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

No Egg Pumpkin Custard

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Recipe

1 29 oz can  pumpkin

3 cups fat free milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons corn starch

3 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1 tsp ginger

16 servings

55 calories per serving

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Set a kettle of water to boil.
Pour the prepared custard mixture into six 3″ ramekins or similarly sized serving (tea/egg…) cups, about 3/4 full.
Place the cups on a baking dish with raised sides.
Transfer the dish to the oven and pour the boiled water into the baking dish to surround the ramekins, in a bain marie, about 3/4 the way up.
Bake for about 40 -45 minutes or until the centers are fairly firm and no longer jiggling.
Cool before serving and top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg.

Note: * You can use a larger casserole dish to bake the custard in but the cooking time will double.

* This recipe may be halved since it does make a large quantity.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Recipe
30 oz cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
15 oz chicken broth
6  potatoes
3 cups carrots
4 stalks celery
1 onion
1/2 pound lean ground beef browned
 Servings 12 (about 150 calories per serving)
All ingredients in the pot ready to simmer on low for 6 hours. Delicious!  I added 2 cups of leftover brown rice from yesterdays dinner to thicken it a little.103 
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Ready to eat with a slice of homemade bread!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Starting the week off right

I had a great 4.66 mile run this morning.  I walked 1/2 mile to warm up then met up with my running partner and we ran 4 miles averaging a 10 min 30 second mile. I like that speed for exercising. I feel so good when I finish the run!  It starts the day and the week off perfectly to get moving.  I do worry a little once winter hits and it’s freezing cold outside how I’ll keep the motivation to exercise inside.  I know the scale will motivate me but I LOVE exercising outside it’ll be hard to go back to the elliptical and recumbent bike.  How do you stay motivated?  Any ideas for me?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

I created a new cookie recipe today.

“pumpkin” choc chip cookies
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Recipe
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups baked butternut squash (bake at 350 for 45 min let cool)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon (you may add more for your taste)
1 tsp nutmeg (you may add more for your taste)
1/4 cup blue agave nectar
1/2 cup water
48 Sees Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Mix all ingredients together except choc. chips.  Scoop by a tbsp full and press 1 large choc. chip onto the top of each cookie. Bake at 375 for 8-10 min. on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet.  (I added one large Sees choc. chip to the middle of each cookie but you could mix in as many choc chips as you’d like.  I wanted to control the calorie count so one chip is 7 cal from Sees.) Each cookie is about 55 calories. Makes aprox. 4 dozen cookies. These cookies aren't really sweet but they are great if you eat healthy but want a fall treat!!!

What I am doing now.

I have found that losing weight is easier than maintaining weight.  I have been in the mind set of losing for over a year now and it is hard to let that go. I don't need to lose any more weight.  I feel comfortable where I am at.  I may not care for how I look under the clothes but I am building a lot of muscle and hopefully in a few years most of the lose skin will shrink away.  So what am I currently doing? Here is my schedule:

Monday- Run 4 miles 6:30 am with a friend - we average 5.5-6 miles/hour which I think is great
9pm relax on the floor in front of the TV for 1 hour crunches, leg lifts, push ups, hand weights

Tuesday- 3 mile walk 6am with another friend- slower pace at 4-4 1/2 miles/hour
9pm relax on the floor in front of the TV for 1 hour crunches, leg lifts, push ups, hand weights

Wednesday - Run 4 miles 6:30 am with a friend - we average 5.5-6 miles/hour which I think is great9pm relax on the floor in front of the TV for 1 hour crunches, leg lifts, push ups, hand weights

Thursday - 3 mile walk 6am with another friend- slower pace at 4-4 1/2 miles/hour
9pm relax on the floor in front of the TV for 1 hour crunches, leg lifts, push ups, hand weights

Friday- day off or walking the 3 miles and of course the evening stuff in front of the tv

Saturday- I try to get a good long bike ride in of 15-25 miles

Everyday I try to ride with the kids to school and back twice.  That's only 2 miles altogether with Jaimee in the bike trailer.  It does give me a little exercise if for some reason the morning exercise falls through.  I still get on the elliptical or recumbent bike on occasion. It is getting a lot colder so come November I will rely on my inside equipment.


 Here is a lunch from last week. Veggie burger with relish and lettuce, tomato.  Tomato on the side with pickles and a peach. About 350 calories.  I usually have 48 oz of water with my lunch.


Yesterday's lunch of veggie burger with relish tomato and lettuce, acorn squash and baked apples. About 400 calories. and lots of water!!! 

Eating: I count my calories all day long still.  It has become a habit!  The biggest difference is that I need to eat around 1600-2000 calories a day to maintain my weight.  That really isn't a lot of calories.  I very rarely have sweets and even when I do it is usually a healthy recipe I've tweaked.  I still begin my day with my green protein shake (around 3-400 calories) The smoothie is 4 cups worth so it is a ,lot of fruit and spinach.  I have a mid morning snack (around 200 cal), lunch of 400 cal, afternoon snack (around 200 calories) and then a healthy dinner of 600 calories. I do get hungry the days I run so I often have a couple extra snacks to offset the 650 calories I burned running.  I have discovered different winter squashes that I love and veggie burgers with oroweat buns. Delicious!  I still eat lots of multigrain tortilla chips and tons of celery, tomatoes, peaches, apples, grapes, lots of water!  Drinking 12-15 cups of water a day is a must for losing and maintaining weight!!!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Launching This New Blog

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I know there are several people who simply follow my blog for my story of weight loss and healthy living so here it is without all the extra family stuff and daily life junk. Enjoy my journey.  It has been quite a week reliving my drastic change.  I hardly remember what it was like to be 390 lbs.

I finally cut it off! - Sept 15, 2010

8-10 inches of hair that is.  I was ready to complete my transformation and that included my hair.  This cut is so fun and I’m loving it. I hope I can do it myself as well as the Stylist did.  What do you think?

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I was going to delete the other post but… - Sept 15, 2010

that those feelings are very true and real to me. I do feel that my upper body especially is way too skinny. I love some of it but really dislike some of it. After reading it over many times and removing myself from it for a little while I've decided that it isn't that I don't like my body but I just haven't given it enough time to get healthy looking. I have pounds and inches of excess skin hanging on my arms, stomach and thighs that hopefully will someday go away with more hard work and diligence. I do LOVE my body and where it has come from. It has born 5 beautiful children, it has hiked many mountains, it has run many miles, biked many miles, cried many tears and will take me on more journeys as life goes on. I am so thankful for the awakening I had 15 months ago that has allowed me to be open to change. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way and continues to be by my side. I need to have some patience with myself and as my body has time to change I'm sure I'll like more the body under the clothes.

Healthy? - Sept 15, 2010



Today according to all of the BMI charts I am considered a “healthy” weight. This has been a goal in the back of my mind from the beginning but of course felt it was unreachable. Well, I hit that weight today but I am not thrilled with it. I am actually disappointed in myself. I am too skinny! I’m sure you never thought you’d hear those words come out of my mouth but it is true. I have a HUGE bone structure. Not large or extra large but HUGE! BMI says that all body types are figured into their equations hence the 20 pound spread but I don’t agree. My body looks great with clothes and I love wearing a size 8-10, sometimes even a small 4-6 in T-shirts but I don’t look healthy under it all. I’m skin and bones. All of my bones are sticking out from my shoulders down to my hips. I do of course still have a lot of excess skin hanging that doesn’t help how my body looks but I just wish my body looked healthy. My face is too thin and on and on. I need to find a way to have a healthy self-image. How do I get there? I definitely don’t want to gain back any weight but what to do from here? I am really at a loss. I am so proud of my accomplishments but I’m not happy with this too skinny body I now have!!!

Still Going Strong - July 30, 2010

Jones Family Campout June 2010


Life has been too busy for blogging. I'll catch up on everything soon. Anyway here is a little nibble on my summer. That's me on the zip line at YW Camp. What an experience. That will be a whole post in itself. I'm still running (about 20 miles/week) and eating right most of the time (I'm back to eating sweets and just working out a little harder to accommodate the calories.). I've been maintaining between 184 and 187 for a month or so and it feels great. I must admit I do miss some of my padding when I bump into things or when I have to sit for very long. It's wonderful to fit into size 10 jeans comfortably. What a huge difference a year makes!!!!!



YW Camp Cresent Regional


Pedicure with the YW ladies. Way too much fun. Really!!! Love the number on the scale too!

My First real Race – June 9th 2010

Anna and I ran in the Pony Express 5 K race on Saturday. It was amazing! I finished in 29 min 50 sec. That is 6.4 miles/hour which blew away my best of 5.4 miles /hour. I was 53rd to finish out of 200 and 23rd out of the women in the race. I felt so great to surpass my goal of less than 35 min.

After the race!!!


Another Milestone - June 9, 2010


200 Pounds Lost!!!

What a Crazy Ride This Is - June 8th, 2010

It is so hard to believe what a huge difference a year has made in my life. The whole course of life as I knew it has changed. So, what got me into deep thinking mode? Well, I went to donate blood tonight with Dan. I was so nervous. I don't mind needles but I was worried they wouldn't find a vein or that they'd find something wrong and then I would be sent home. Of course my worries were for nothing and to hear from professionals how healthy I am was amazing.


My pulse was 48 beats per minute. Anything under 50 requires a supervisor override. What's the big deal with that? Well, if you aren't an athlete in training then they would worry that I had a heart condition with an irregular heartbeat. So I told them that I run about 5K every day. They were so impressed and wondered if I was a marathon runner. What me?! an athlete! That is crazy!!! He told me you have a very healthy heart and will live a real long life.


Then my blood pressure was awesome, 110/70, even with my nerves which a year ago I was lucky to get 140/90. And then to boost me just a little more I bleed well, really well (I filled the bags in 3 min 20 seconds which was the fastest time most of them had even seen and the best time of the day.) and he had the pick of two great veins. Just 6 months ago the nurse had to use a butterfly IV out of the top of my hand for a blood test because my veins were so bad.


A crazy ride indeed!!! I am so thankful for this healthy strong heart and body. I realize I have done the hard work to get here but to hear it come from others, especially in the medical world is really cool! It feels good to finally start to believe the compliments and comments I hear from others on this huge change.

Half the Woman I used to be. - May 26th 2010


What a wonderful birthday gift I have given myself! The scale says that I have lost 50%!!! I type this through tears of joy and great accomplishment! I have desired to reach this goal but didn't know if I could make it happen by today, MY DAY! I have found myself in losing myself. I feel like I am now twice the woman I used to be. I can now LIVE. I don't just sit by but fully participate in life! This is the BEST Birthday present I've ever and will ever give myself. Happy Birthday to the new Becky Jones!!! (I still don't always recognize myself when I glance in the mirror.)What a difference a year can make!


Some of my favorite comments from my weight loss:

  • I overheard Brandon telling Nathan about how I look now, "She looks like 20 years old now!"
  • A neighbor that spends only the spring and summer months here commented to Dan that he honestly thought he had really gotten himself a new wife. He later figured out that I was still the same woman just smaller.
  • Wow, is that really you? Amazing!
  • You had to have had surgery or something! (Nope! Just tons of hard work!!!)
  • "Sister Jones, I didn't believe my Mom when she told me that was you over here, but it is you, wow!"
  • She told me that was you from the back and I couldn't believe it.
  • What do you think of your new wife? (of course directed to Dan)

I know the numbers aren’t everything BUT… - May 13, 2010

WOW! AMAZING! FANTASTIC! UNBELIEVABLE! INCREDIBLE! That's how I am feeling right now. The best thing about it is that I did it all myself (with Heavenly Father's help and lots of support from my earthly angels). NO surgery, No pills, No fad diets!


Today it is about the numbers! (190.6 pounds LOST!) My weight no longer begins with a 2!!!


I haven't seen these numbers since 1985. Yep, 25 years ago! I will begin my 37th year of life in just 12 days as a healthy fit woman who takes care of her body. I have finally learned that I need to put myself first then everyone else gets the best of me too.


I wish I could fully describe the emotions that I'm feeling inside. For the first time in my life I like my body. I love the fact that I can do pretty much whatever I want without my size hindering me. There were too many times when I simply couldn't do something because I was over the weight limit. I remember all the way back to Regional YW Camp (14 yrs old) and the Huge Bungee Elastic that they had. All the other girls were pulled back and had the ride of a lifetime. They ended up high in the air and looked so happy. When my turn came around I was pulled back and rather than fly high up to the sky I never left the ground and ended up being dragged in the dirt. It is still so painful to think back to those many memories that mark my previous 36 years of life.


I am so very thankful for my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, that love me so much that They answered my desperate pleas though prayer and have given me the strength to overcome a lifetime of habits. They are the only ones with the power to create such great change. If we are willing to turn our selves over to Them anything is possible.

The NEW me! Happy, confident, ready to take on the world!!!

(My new hair cut and color. I love it!!!)

I’ve learned it’s okay to be selfish. - May 5 ,2010

I got on the scale this morning and I am ecstatic!!! I have been eating more and splurging more but still really closely monitoring my intake. I have cut back to just working out at night. I have done 4 evening runs of 3-3.5 miles so far. I am not fast but consistent. I love this new body and new lifestyle! I have lost 187 pounds and in the back of my mind I want to reach a weight of 199.9 lbs by my birthday (21 days). I know I can do it!!! I don't feel the need to lose more weight but with toning I am still losing the lose skin and fat. It is a daily struggle but so worth it! I actually bought a few size mediums (8-10). I must say that was just CRAZY!!!

I have learned that it's necessary to be selfish when it comes to your health and fitness. I need to give myself the time I need to keep myself healthy so that I can give my very best to others.

I have not been able to do this on my own. I am so thankful for a very kind and patient husband that supports and encourages me and of course my Heavenly Father that gives me the strength to withstand the numerous temptations I face every day.


My new waist measurement. It used to be 50+ inches.


Just 3 pounds to my " I really never thought it was possible ULTIMATE Goal!"

I have now lost 181 lbs - Apr. 11, 2010

Contentment- March 26, 2010

Dan took this picture of me after I finished baking 2 large batches of bread, rolls and cinnamon rolls; but that's not really important. When I first saw this picture I cried. I see the woman that I have dreamed of becoming. I see a woman happy, truly happy with life. I see a woman doing what she knows is right and loving every part of her life. I see a woman following The Savior and loving serving others. I have found my true self!

My Changing Body - March 20th, 2010

It's been a couple weeks since I reached my "goal" so I figured I'd better update you on how maintaining my weight is going. I have been slowly continuing to lose weight which is fantastic since I'm eating more of my regular foods. I am still watching the calories closely and exercising 6 days a week but I'm allowing myself to "cheat" a little and enjoy a cookie or a healthy brownie or bar. I still can't believe that I am the woman in these pictures. I've worked so hard and have lived this for 9 moths now but the results blow me away. The human body is AMAZING!!! For those of you wondering if you can do it, YOU CAN! It is so worth it! So to date I have lost 175 pounds. Dan worries that I'll lose too much weight but I won't. I really don't want to lose more but I keep living healthy and I'm sure eventually I'll lose 15 more pounds of lose skin and trapped fat.