SNACKS

Here are some of the snacks I enjoy

                                                          Lindy's italian ice....I eat this just about every night..only 100calories - comes in all kinds of flavors1

Protein bars - I try to keep these in my purse or desk at all times just in case I get the munchies 

My new favorite of all... I will never buy or eat another regular chip...  

These are actually pretty good (even without the peanut butter) 

New York cinnamon and raisin bagel chips 

OH MY... this tastes like crunch n munch... also comes in chocolate and/or apple cinnamon 

I LOVE these smoothies...great for poolside snack..and ALL NATURAL!!

Just add apple juice!

 

My new favorite snack - whole wheat flat thin (1/2 thin) peanut butter and one sliced strawberry

 

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - no flour, no oil, no butter -- use bananas and sugar free apple sauce 

 

Grapes dipped in sugar free dry jello mix then frozen

 

Fruit for softball tournament .. Must be prepared at all times

Bananas, watermelon, apples, oranges, cantaloupe, grapes

 

These were so easy to make and delicious - Peanut Butter Bars

All natural Peanut butter (can use Nutella too), natural honey and oats. 

 

Apples & Sugar Free Caramel

 

Whole Wheat toast w/peanut butter and grapes

 

 

 

Getting ansty.... (is that really a word..owell)

Well I'm getting a little ansty about how much I weigh.  I'm hoping to be 200LBs OR LESS at my next weigh in.  But I still have a few weeks left before then.  Taking all I can do not to get on the scales before then!  Worried cause I was sick and done no cardio for a week.

On a good note, I've accomplished two nights on the elliptical for 60 minutes!!  YAY!! And I've logged my food into myfitness pal for 100 Days!  Even on my bad days, I make a point to log everything.  I just feel better about my changes and it keeps me accountable for what I'm eating and how much I'm eating.

Really having a bad week as far as motivation.  Seems like I'm just in a Blah mood and really wanting to eat, eat and eat!  I be glad when that phase is over!  I just keep telling myself this is a daily lifestyle and small steps are best. 

Here are pics of my time on elliptical (yes I run the stopwatch on my phone)

MOVING ALONG....

Getting back on track this week after missing a full week of cardio... Man I can tell it too.  Seems like my belly is poking way out.  Although I know I was still eating healthy.  

Last night I done the elliptical for 60 minutes!! YAY ME!! That's my mini goal for this week.. to ride the elliptical for an hour 4 nights this week!  I can tell it this morning, My thighs are sore.   I've also been doing the squat challenge this week.  I'm starting with less squats daily though.  30 yesterday, 40 today!! Maybe my butt will show the great results after the thirty days!

Still holding off on purchasing summer clothes - goal is to be below 200 before I buy shorts and swimsuit!!! 4lbs to go -

FIND what works for you....

I've had several to say "tell me what you're doing, give me some tips".     I can tell you my daily routine everyday for a year, but that doesn't necessarily mean its going to work for you.  Take my journey, tweak it to your liking and find what works for you.  Because in order for this to work, you have to want to do if for YOURSELF...not others. 

I like to eat 5-6 times a day, whether or not its accurate, I feel that my metabolism is higher if I feed my body every few hours.  And I don't feel like I'm starving.  No I'm not saying eat 5-6 hearty meals.  Eat healthy meals, and healthy snacks.  As you progress and get your portions under control, you will become more conscious of the types of foods you are eating.  This has to be a lifestyle change, NOT A DIET!  You must change your old, bad habits in order for it to work. 

Same for exercising -- you must move your body along with eating healthy.  They go hand in hand.  Sure you don't have to become a member of the gym. I do all my workouts at home.  There are days I absolutely do not want to work out. But I've found out if I push myself, once I start then I get in the "mood".  But then again, there are days that I skip, and vow to do twice as much the next day!   Before you say "I don't have time"...YOU HAVE TO MAKE TIME!!! If you can find time to sit in front of the television for hours at a time, you can work out...If you're running your children to and from sports practice. You don't have to sit there and watch them the whole time -  walk around the block!  Instead of taking care of everyone else in your family, don't you think it's time to take care of yourself!! Even if its 10-15 minutes, thats better than nothing!

(By the way - I'm going crazy not doing any cardio per dr's orders!! I can feel my waist expanding just thinking about a week off without exercising)...

March 26th Weigh in -- YAY 26LBS GONE

	8/12	10/12		1/13		1/25		1-Feb		21-Feb		26-Mar			YTD loss
neck				14		14		14		14		14
waist	43	38.5	(-4.5)	36.5	(-2)	36.5		36	(-.5)	34	(-2)	33.5	(-.5)		(-9.5)
hips	48	47	(-1)	44	(-3)	43	(-1)	41	(-2)	39	(-1)	38	(-1)		(-9)
bust	43	41	(-2)	41				41		41		38	(-3)		(-5)
right thigh	26	25	(-1)	25		23.5	(-1.5)	23	(-.5)	22	(-1)	22			(-4)
left thigh	26	25	(-1)	25		23.5	(-1.5)	23	(-.5)	22	(-1)	22			(-4)
right calf		16		15	(-1)	14.5	(-.5)	14	(-.5)	13	(-1)	13			(-3)
left calf		16		15	(-1)	14.5	(-.5)	14	(-.5)	13	(-1)	13			(-3)
right arm	16	13.5	(-2.5)	13	(-.5)	13		13		13		12.5	(-.5)		(-3.5)
left arm	16	13.5	(-2.5)	13	(-.5)	13		13		13		12.5	(-.5)		(-3.5)
WEIGHT	230	224		220				217		210		204
											Total Loss from body				44.5
												Total lbs lost			26

Minor Set back ...

Minor Set Back, BUT still on track.  Had strep throat two weeks ago, and then walking pneumonia last week.  NO EXERCISING for a week to two weeks per doctor.  NOT GOOD!  

On bright side I did my monthly measurements and weigh in before the strep --  lost another few pounds! Current weight 204LBS (starting weigh 230lbs)  YAY 26lbs gone!!

Being I can't do any cardio exercises, I've been trying to incorporate strength training when possible.  Doing the 30 day squat challenge  - 55 squats today, better than nothing. Working my arms with the 8lb dumb bells.  I honestly believe those really work - I've went from 2XL shirt to L shirts!

It's a great feeling going into your closet and choosing clothes and noticing that they are NOT snug on you.  Some just fit while others are too big.  Yes I put on a nice pair of old dress capris for work this morning, they literally fell down on my hips! GREAT FEELING!   I refuse to buy any new summer clothes just yet, because I'm determined to be under the 200 lb mark my June!

As far as my food, I'm still logging everything into my fitness pal! That helps me stay accountable.  I'm still measuring all foods and more conscious of the types of foods I'm eating.  My goal this month is too cut back on the number whole eggs - need to eat more egg whites only!  And up my vegetables per day. 

ONE DAY AT A TIME - POUND BY POUND!!