New Taste

I have read before that you get a new set of taste buds every 7 years. I have also been told that once you get rid of all the processed food, greasy fats, and sugars in your diet that you will actually taste things differently.  I was skeptical at first but I do enjoy the real foods without extra sugars and salt now.  Fruits and veggies taste differently to me now.  I love their flavor and crave them. I also really enjoy oatmeal without sugar but just a sprinkle of raisins and cinnamon.

 

Here I am enjoying my lunch today.  This is a SUPER Green Smoothie!  I only added a half scoop of vanilla protein powder, 1 1/2 cups water,  2 cups frozen mixed fruit, 1/2 large banana and 3 huge handfuls of baby spinach.  It makes 6 cups worth.  I’ll have the quart for my lunch then snack on the rest when I get hungry latter this afternoon. I used to need a full scoop of powder and extra stevia to be able to drink this but now I love the spinach flavor and it isn’t terrible anymore.

Races of 2011-Nothing is Impossible

I ran 3 races in 2011.  I ran my first ever half marathons, the American Fork Half and the Provo Halloween Half and one 5k.  I even ran them like a real runner with good times barely over 2 hours (2:05 and 2:01)! (They did have some good down hill assist with the good timing.)  My 5 K run was several minutes faster than my previous time too!  Not bad for a woman who only started running in May of 2010! AND was weighing in at 390 pounds just 2 years before!!!

Right now I’m stuck inside without a working treadmill and I long to run!  I know many who run no matter what the weather or temperature but my lungs just don’t like the cold air.  These pictures brought a smile to my face reminding me of how capable my body is of things a I once never believed were possible.

Never say it is IMPOSSIBLE!

Change it to I’M POSSIBLE!

After posting this today I found this actual quote that I didn’t even know existed out there:

On a More Personal Note…

I usually keep this blog just about weight loss and eating right (and I guess this still is) but there is so much more to me than that.  I am most importantly a wife to my incredible husband Dan and mommy to my 5 incredible children.  I have been thinking about my weight loss and how I never asked their permission for me to change.  I am a huge part of their lives and this would in fact change their lives forever.  Well weight loss would of course be a positive thing in all aspects, right?  Of course I can do so much more physically than I used to but in fact being healthy requires time, space and sometimes money.


I’ve thought about this off and on the last year.  My husband loved me at 300 plus pounds. That’s the only size I had ever been.  He loved my curves and all. He loves me no matter what size. He’s had me at size 30-32 all the way down to size 8. I have so many beautiful notes from him telling me that “I am the most beautiful woman in the world.” from before I lost weight. BUT I do exercise every night after the kids are in bed and this takes away from our time together.  He never complains and supports me but I still think back to the days of big bowls of ice cream sitting on the couch watching TV together.  Don’t get me wrong we still hang out but an hour less each night if I’m on the exercise equipment.  I have recently started attending a boot camp and toning class at 5am each morning. He never complains about the alarm waking him up a hour and bit before he needs to get out of bed. (I suppose that since I get back with 30 min to make a nice warm breakfast for the family that it makes up for it. :-) )

I appreciate his support and loving me enough to tell me when my weight was too low and putting up with me when my weight started getting higher than I’d like.  He is the greatest husband in the world and he is mine for all eternity.  Thank you Dan for all of your support and putting up with my new crazy eating and exercise habits.

My kids never were embarrassed by my weight. They say I was just “mom” but they will admit that they like that I am smaller now. They do get frustrated sometimes when I want exercise during the day or create a new “healthified” recipe. I admit not all of my recipes turn out great on the first try. They find ways to spend time with me in our very small exercise room and have given up a bedroom so that we can have an exercise room in the house. They are great kids and they love me no matter what size I am.  I am their mom and will be for all eternity.

True Happiness

True happiness does not come from the numbers on the scale but from knowing that I am doing my part.  When I do my part then I can feel MY Heavenly Father and Savior making up the difference for me.  Quoting one of my favorites, Brad Wilcox, “They make all the difference.” I know I can’t do this on my own but with fasting, prayer, the Temple, the scriptures and an amazing support team I know I can tackle the hard days.

There have been so many more hard days this last year! I was on track so nicely before my gall bladder surgery last year on Feb 1st.  For some reason the surgery gave me so many doubts about my body and how healthy I was.  I couldn’t exercise normally for 6 weeks and 10 pounds came on overnight and I haven’t lost those 10 pounds all year.  I can tell that my body doesn’t work quite the same as it used to.  I don’t NEED to be back at 185 pounds but I did really feel good at that weight.

I’d like to maintain around 190 for the rest of my life and NOT go over 200.  After just a week of eating right and exercising my body has responded quickly and I am back under 200 pounds.

What is different this time from last week or the week before?  I have turned to my Savior for His help.  I have found great comfort in the Temple and in the scriptures.  When I am spiritually in tune then I am more able to tackle my food cravings that have overwhelmed me lately.  I attended a Health Expo yesterday and all of the vendors had their quick fixes and tricks but none of their tricks will last forever.  You have to find for yourself  the strength to change and figure out where your strength comes from to keep going toward your goals. My strength comes from my faith.  I feel so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I can’t imagine a life without the beliefs that I have. I pray that each of you will be able to find you own strength to keep going and truly find happiness and peace with yourself!

Quick Reminder

All of these women weigh the same but look so different!  We all need to have a realist expectation of what we can achieve.  Love the body you have been blessed with and do your part to keep it healthy!

I Feel Like a New Woman Today

Isn't it amazing what a difference a day can make. Yesterday I was "out of control" in my eating and kind of hit a rock bottom.  I realized I was out of control and that change is NECESSARY!  So here I am determined to do this the right way AGAIN! Eating was controlling me and I will now be in control of eating! I have a goal and I'm determined to reach it.  I am helping out with a Biggest Loser competition and I really wish I was a part of it.  Happily I don't have enough weight to lose so it wouldn't make since to be a participant.BUT I needed a goal so I want to reach 190 pounds by the end of their competition.  I am considering giving MaryAnne $50 to hold for me and if I reach my goal I get it back and if not it goes to the winner. Anyway I am back on track. I know I've said that a lot the last year but I mean it!


 I also need to thank Mary and Brenda for really making me have a fabulous morning.  We spent nearly 2 hours talking, sharing ideas,  and even taste testing.  These women are such a huge support to me.  We "get" each other and the struggle to lose weight and eat right.  We have so much fun talking! I look forward to Wednesday morning because I love how I feel after our support group!!!

Next I want to share with you a message I sent to a wonderful friend, Heather,  who had a few questions for me on menu ideas and exercising at home.

Hi beautiful!  You look amazing too!  I keep to a very simple menu.  I typically have a green smoothie for breakfast (recipe on my blog). In the winter it is hard to start the day with something cold so sometimes I'll have a couple eggs with a slice of low calories toast (butter spray) or some regular oatmeal sweetened with agave and some cinnamon and raisins. For a morning snack I have a piece of fruit or a rice cake with some all natural peanut or almond butter on it. For lunch I microwave a 70cal original Boca Burger and put it on an oro wheat  sandwich round with homemade relish.  If I have tomato and lettuce I put that on as well.  Also if I have some laughing cow swiss cheese I'll spread that on the bread rather than having relish.  I add a few dill pickles or celery and carrots or a apple or pear (veggie and/or fruit). If I have baked chips around I'll have a serving of those with lunch.  Afternoon snack is a carbmaster yogurt (Kroger brand only 60 cal) or a low fat 90cal granola bar.  Sometimes I need 2 afternoon snacks so celery, apple, orange, serving of wheat thins or other "healthier" cracker.  For dinner I fill half my plate with veggies then 1 cup of the main dish if it a casserole. Some good dinners are steamed broccoli, baked potato w/butter spray and a chicken breast, or veggie/tomato soup with some multi grain chips or crackers, whole wheat pasta with ground turkey marinara sauce, brown rice with chicken and veggies, quinoa with chicken breast or pork chop, homemade turkey chili, and many more.  One key thing is to drink LOTS of water.  So that water isn't so boring I add lite apple cider (10cal) to water.  I really dilute it and add one packet to 4 cups of water.  Crystal light is also good.  I "healthify" whatever I bake.  All whole wheat and applesauce instead of butter or oil,  less eggs,  less sugar or replace with agave, stevia, splenda or sucanat.

As far as exercising at home (I assume without any equipment) you can do so much.  I found a great article at www.fitwatch.com  Here are some of their ideas and I do all of these as well.

Here are 10 great exercises that you can do at home, without the need for any equipment:

    Walking – If the weather is nice, it’s wonderful to get outside and enjoy the scenery around you while you exercise. However, if the weather has other ideas, you can just as easily get an effective walking workout at home. If you have a flight of stairs, go up and down them a few times. (You could even grab a load of laundry as you’re going that way anyway!) This will help to tone up your legs, while getting some low impact aerobic exercise as well. If you don’t have any stairs available, just walk around the house a few times – it may not be very exciting, but it will do the job!
       Jumping Jacks – These are always fun, as they bring back memories of being a kid! Who hasn’t done jumping jacks for fun as a child? Well, surprise – they are also great cardio exercises, and good for warming up, too.
    Pushups – These are probably not the most favorite exercise of many people, but while they can be hard to do, you can find easier ways to do them. You don’t need to pretend you’re “Rocky”, and do them with one hand; just do what works for you. Do them on your knees, instead of keeping your legs straight. Or, do them standing up against a wall. You will be building up arm strength and working out muscles in your chest area.
    Leg Lifts – These are great for building up strength and muscles in your legs. If you find it hard to do the exercises with your legs straight, try bending them slightly.
       Crunches – The best exercise for building up and strengthening abdominal muscles. When you’re just getting started, don’t worry about getting your head all the way up. So long as you’re going up until you feel the stretching of the muscles, you will see some benefit.
      Jogging In Place – Jogging is a great exercise for your heart. You can jog in place at home while watching TV or listening to music. The only equipment you will require is a good pair of shoes, to eliminate any stress to your legs.
    Squats – These are wonderful exercises for your legs and buttocks. You can even just try these by sitting and standing up again from a regular chair, if you’re finding them to be too difficult. As long as you’re able to do a few repetitions, you will be providing some benefit to your body.
    Light Weight Lifting – No, you don’t need to go out and buy expensive weights for this! Just use whatever you can find in your house. Start out with something lighter, such as a can of peas, and work yourself up to heavier items. You can use milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles or even water jugs.
    Dancing – Dancing is a wonderful exercise, which is great for your heart. Not only that, but it can lift your spirits as well, and give your overall feeling a boost.
    Step Exercises – Using the steps in your home, you can do repetitions which will tone your leg muscles. (Just remember to be careful!)

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Have a wonderful day and do something for yourself that says, "I am worth the effort!", because YOU ARE!!!!!

Where My Mind Is At

I have learned through the past 2 1/2 years that weight loss and  maintenance is mostly a mental game. I want to get back to 190 pounds so badly but I am really struggling with getting my mind back into it.  I know what I need to do to be back there. (Most of it a spiritual journey for me.  I need to put ALL of my trust in my Heavenly Father that he will once again take these terrible food cravings away. I know once I am willing to let go of food that He will do the rest. But I so badly want the cookies, ice cream and chips!!! I have to decide which I want more and of course I want a healthy body.) I have done it before but I also know how hard it is.  I don't like feeling hungry and depriving myself of treats.  No one likes deprivation but I used to get great pleasure out of "doing without".  I am exercising almost normally now.  My ribs and hand are at about 90%.  I can't wait till I can exercise without discomfort.  I'm taking it one day at a time and yesterday I ate perfectly and followed my menu plan.  Today has started off terribly with eating.  Tomorrow will be better.  All we can do is our best and for now my best is exercising like crazy so that my extra indulgences don't create too much havoc on the scale.