Week Two Weigh In

I have had a busy week.  Last Saturday was Abbey's birthday.  For a special treat her daddy and I took her out to eat at a place of her choice.  She chose Japanese food.  Then we went to a movie at the movie theater.  We had a great time.  After church on Sunday, which was a special day of celebration for the new families in our congregation, we went out for Mexican with the family.  I didn't eat but half of each of these meals.  Back in the old days I would have woofed down every bite.  It does make for some tasty leftovers.  So, for three days I ate out basically.  Not the best food for my new lifestyle.  To add to it, I have been busy planning Abbey's birthday party which is coming up this weekend.  I'm throwing it all together in a week.  I orginially had the party planned for the end of the month, but my cousin will be in town this weekend.  She always comes for Abbey's parties and assumed it would be this weekend because that is normally around the time I have them.  Anyway, we have had McDonald's and some quick home cooked meals this week because Mommie has been planning and shopping for the party. 

With all of that said, I did gain this week, but only .5 pounds.  Even with all the chaos and bad food I stayed within my points (I used all my daily points and all my flexible weekly points).  I expected it to be much worse, so I'm actually happy that I only gain a little.

Next week I plan to be back on track with my normal life and my normal eating habits.  There is good food and exercise ahead.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Week 1 Weigh In

Here we go again!  I'm back on Weight Watchers and it is going well so far.  I haven't had any problems getting back into the smaller portions and tracking everything I eat.  I did weigh in yesterday and as I often do, I lost a large amount for my first week.  I lost 4.5 pounds so I've already dropped to 202.  That really makes my first goal of weighing less than 200 by the end of January look possible.  Anyway, the family is eating well with me and Clark has even asked about the men's version of Weight Watchers that Charles Barkley has been promoting on TV.  All in all it has been a great first week.  I haven't been able to exercise yet because the ceiling guys have been fixing our playroom ceiling from a water leak back in the fall.  Plus Clark has been very tired when he has gotten home this week, and has gone to bed early so he wasn't able to watch Abbey for me.  His body is still trying to get used to being on day shift again.  Maybe next week I will be able to fit in a few walks around the neighborhood.  Until then have a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Happy New Year!

As promised, I'm back!  It is a bright new year and I'm looking forward to getting back to the grind of weight loss and healthy living.  Over the holidays I had one visit to the emergency room and one visit to the doctor, both for the same thing that was easily fixable.  Due to my old doctor taking a new position at the hospital, I had to face a new doctor who was very willing to let me know that I am not a healthy person.  Something I already knew, but just haven't really faced lately.  I told her that I had a plan in mind and was looking to start after the new year.  It is the new year and I'm back on weight watchers.  I also have an exercise plan in mind and my hubby is on board as well.  He will be working the day shift for a while so it should be much easier to cook healthy meals and fit in some exercise.

I have done pretty good over the holidays.  Although I did eat what I wanted, I also spent some time not eating due to sickness.  Not a weight loss plan that I recommend.  However, overall I only gained a few pounds.

I'm starting the new year at 206.5 pounds and my first goal is to get down to 200 by the end of January.  I have discovered that small goals are a great motivation for me.  I have large goals, but I try not to think about those too much because it always ends in failure.  I can't wait to get back in the kitchen and cook up some healthy food.  I love food!  I love to cook!!!  I have to get my southern roots around some fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and lean cuts of meat.  As always, local is best although it is hard to find this time of year.  I am already dreaming of my summer garden.  In the meantime, I'll do the best I can with my grocery store.

I hope to report each week as I did before and I have a new camera (thank you hubby for a sweet Christmas present) and so I want to take more pictures to document my healthy adventure.  Lastly, I'm looking forward to some 5K's in the spring so training for that will be a key to my healthy lifestyle.  I have been so inactive this past year and it shows...on my waistline, on my face lines, on my inside with difficult breathing and health issues.  I want to have a total body and life makeover to help my body be everything it can be so my life can be as productive as it can be.

Here is looking at a wonderful 2012!!!!!!!

Taking a Break

So, I haven't posted in a few weeks.  You might be wondering about my weight loss goals each week.  I have stopped my diet for the holiday season with two things in mind. 

First, it is a terrible time to try to lose weight, so instead of keeping tight records I'm just trying not to over do my eating. The holiday season is upon us, but also my job has become terribly demanding since we have become short staffed and they haven't hired a new person.  This all comes during our busiest time of year.  Now I'm doing twice the amount of work in the same amount of time.  I was finding it hard to keep my journal for Weight Watchers. 

The second thing is the adjustments that will be going on with the Weight Watchers program.  I received an email that there will be some 2012 adjustments for the Points Plus program.  I want to start the new program fresh after the holidays with the new information.  I also want to have an exercise program in place.  My husband will be back on the day shift soon and has shown interest in exercising with me.  The new year is always a popular time to start a new healthy program, so I'm taking the holidays to get my information together and have it in place before the new year gets here.  I don't like fad programs so I want to really search what I might like to use this year.

So, that is my confession.  I hope you will stay with me over the holidays and I know that I look forward to getting back on track and I hope to have a new set of starter pictures for my new plan.

Happy Holidays to all!!!!!

Weigh In Week 8

This week looked a little better.  I'm still not tracking my food like I'm suppose to, but I did track it some this week.  My weight went down 2 pounds this week so I'm at 203.5 and I really want to break that 200 line in the next two weeks, so I'm going to start an exercise plan as soon as I can shake this head cold.  I have to say that exercising with a head cold is never a good thing for me because my balance is off and that can prove disasterous.  Other than that, I have been getting some inspiration from bodybuilding.com, not that I'm going to become some big body builder but they have a set of articles called female transformation that can really give you ideas on nutrition and exercise.  My biggest question is about supplements.  For those of you on a regular supplement regimen, what do you take and why?  So far, I've only taken a series of vitamins that were suggested for endometriosis- a multivitamin, vitamin C, B complex, and E, flaxseed oil, and calcium because I don't eat a lot of dairy.  Do you eat protein bars or drink whey shakes?  What do you do?

That's all for this week.  Happy Halloween!!!!!

Weigh in Week 7

Much like week three, I feel awful, haven't been tracking my food, and haven't been very active.  Well, it all showed on the scale this morning when I came in at 205.5 a gain of 3.5 pounds.  So, I'm going back to the basics and finding that track again.  Not much else to report this week, so I'll hopefully feel better next week.  Wish me luck!  Have great weekend!

Weigh In Week 6

I'm glad to say that it is much of the same, although I'm not sure it was done right this week.  I weighed in at 202 for a weekly loss of 2.5 pounds and a total of 14 pounds.  I didn't think I would lose any this week because I didn't feel as if I had been eating right.  Well, your body will tell you if something is wrong and mine has for the past few days.  I've had stomach problems all week, which might have lead to the actual weight loss.  I've already started to remedy that by making a great and filling WW broccoli and cheese soup for dinner last night, with leftovers for lunch today.  I'm also sticking to water because I have felt very dehydrated this week.  So, overall there was a loss this week, but I would like for it to not be due to tummy trouble.

Have a happy weekend everyone!  I'm headed on a little overnight trip with the hubby over the weekend with dinner at a fancy place.  I'll watch what I eat, don't worry!!!!

What is Meat?

Conversation this morning while getting dressed.

Abbey: Mommy, I don't like meat.

Me: Abbey, you eat meat all the time.

Abbey: No, I mean I don't eat cooked meat.  Just bologna and ham.

Me: You eat chicken nuggets.

Abbey: But that is bought meat.  I like that.

(I think it is time to give up McDonald's for good)

HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!!!!!!!

Weigh In Week 5

I don't have much time to blog this week.  Unforunately, one of my co-workers left the office (not on her terms) and the work has been pushed off to the rest of us.  It has been a very long, difficult and stressful week.  However, among all of that I was still able to stick to my WW lifestyle and here are the results.

I weighed in this morning at 204.5 so I lost another 2.5 pounds this week, which makes my total weight loss 11.5 pounds.  It also means that I reached a weight loss goal of 5% and I got another star.  My new weight loss goal is 10%, so that will get me down to 194.4 pounds.  I hope I can manage that goal by Thanksgiving if not before.

I'm still working on activity level and intake of veggies and water.  With the fast pace and stress of the week and the weeks to come throughout October, I think it will be an ongoing struggle, but maybe by November things will settle a little and I can start planning healthy meals for the holidays. 

I would like to take just a small moment to congratulate my dear friend, Renee, on an accomplishment that I could only dream of.  Last weekend she along with some of her friends ran a 50 K (that's 31 miles, people) and survived.  Not only survived, but did well for their first time.  I'm very proud of her.  Way to go Renee, Julie and all the girls. 

Happy weekend everyone!

Weigh In Week 4

Well, I'm back on track for the time being.  I weighed in at 207 this week which means I have lost 2.5 this week and 9 overall for the month.  Not too bad, especially since I had such a bad week last week.  I still have a lot to work on.  I was a little surprised that I had lost.  I'm still not getting enough water and veggies, and I have got to get a workout routine going.  However, I did put out my fall garden last weekend and that gained me some much needed activity points.

 I also paid closer attention to what I ate and even included some chocolatey treats, but they were homemade and used the least amount of points I could get.  It is hard to cut points out of an OREO milk shake, but I did and portion size was a big key.  It was very rich so I could only handle a cup size portion, and by using Nutella instead of regular peanut butter, low fat milk, and no sugar added ice cream it only came to 8 points a cup.  The whole family enjoy it too.

That is all I have for this week.  I topped it off with a trip to the beauty shop for a new color and cut.  Maybe by the end of this month (October) I will need to go shopping for some new fall clothes, in a different size.

Happy rest of the week to you all!!!!!!

Weigh In Week 3

It is time for dreaded week three.  The reason I call it a dread is because for some reason on week three of every weigh lose plan I have ever tried, my body and mind get off track.  This week was no exception.  I actually gained weight this week by about 3.5 pounds.  I weighed in this morning at 209.5 which to most people might be discouraging, but as I mentioned I always seem to have this problem.  I think I get too comfortable with the plan and think I can slack a little and still be alright.  Here are the problems I have found this week:

I ate out three times this week, instead of only once as in previous weeks.
I didn't drink my water like I was suppose to (I have to track it and I didn't meet my water goal one single day this week).
I didn't meet my veggie goal either (I track it also and didn't meet it one single day.)
I have found this week that I didn't measure things exactly, instead I thought I could eyeball servings and clearly my eyes need to be checked.
I didn't take my vitamins each day (I think I only remembered them two days this week).
I did add some activity such as painting Abbey's room and cleaning house, but I wasn't very regular about it.  I just had a burst of energy on Saturday and Sunday.
I didn't eat much for breakfast, but I had heavy dinners, so heavy in fact that I used up over half of my extra weekly points.  I believe I need to be more balanced for the plan to work its magic.
I'm bloated from stress, not enough water, heavy meals, and "monthly" responsibilites, which makes me very fatigued.

These are the things I have to work on this week to get back on track.  Next week, if I get with the program, I should lose the three pounds I gained and possibly more.  Here's hoping!!!!!

Weigh-In Week Two

Things are going very well in the world of Weight Watchers.  I love the new commercials with Jennifer Hudson.  I just think she looks great and it is rated the number one weight loss program by USA Today.  That is fantastic!  So, now that I've plugged my program, I bet you are wondering about my progress.  Alright, I won't keep you waiting any longer.  I weighed in this morning at 206, which means I have lost three pounds this week.  YEAH!!!  Because I lost a good amount last week, my points count went down.  Now I can have 32 points a day and 42 extra weekly points to use if I go over.  Four out of seven days I was able to stay within my daily points range.  The other three days that I went over, wasn't by too much.  By the end of the week I still had 36 of my 42 weekly points that I didn't use.  I have earned both my star for losing my first 5 pounds and my star for 5 additional pounds.  My next star will be for losing 5% of my body weight.  I am only 2 pounds from that goal, so I hope to have that one next week.  :)

This weeks personal goal is to add some activity into my daily routine.  I will probably start slow: maybe a brisk walk a couple of times during the week, spend a little extra time cleaning or climbing the stairs at home.  Every little bit can be tracked and traded for food points during the day.  The more activity you do, the more points you can trade for.  This week I just want to add a little, then over the next few weeks I would like to get into a regular exercise routine.

Finally, I'm sad that because I am behind in starting all this and because my husband has been working so much, I am not in any shape to walk/run the 5K for my daughter's school on Saturday.  I was really looking forward to participating in that but I just don't feel that I would do well at all since I haven't been so much as walking lately.  Maybe next year!

So it has been another successful week and I have my next goals set. 
Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

Weigh In Week 1

Today is my first weigh in for Weight Watchers and it was a great one.  I have lost 7 pounds, which means I am down to 209 pounds already.  This is not really the norm for the week, but it is normal for my first week to be big.  I have lost my water weight which is common for the first week, and this time I had some bloating from my monthly friend that seemed to take a hike.  I really feel better.  I'm sure next week will be a different story.  I am happy to say that for my first week I did pretty good with the points.  I used all my daily points as you are suppose to do and 33 of my 49 extra weekly points.  This too is normal for me because it takes me a week or two to use up the food already in the house and get used to scaling down, but I was very happy that I didn't go over my extra weekly points.  They are there for special occations and I try not to use them when the plan really gets going. I am taking my vitamins and drinking my water and I can tell.

This week I will continue to work on scaling down my extra points used and on portion control.  I have a meal plan worked out that includes more fruits and veggies and some WW recipes that are favorites of Jennifer Hudson (I just think she looks fabulous).  I'm going to really work on the eating this week and then next week, when Clark is back on day shift, I will begin to add exercise and activities to boost myself.  I'm off to a great start!

The Unthinkable

I have decided to do the unthinkable.  I'm going to post my weight loss success on my blog.  I would have never in a million years done this before, but since I refer to my blog often to remind me of my past few years, I have decided that it will be a reminder of my progress as well.   When we first decided to try to get pregnant, I had read that lossing weight could help, so I joined weight watchers in 2004 and lost 25 pounds in about 4 or 5 months.  It is the only plan that I have ever tried (and I've tried a lot) that worked for me.  It is a lifestyle change that works.  I have tried just eating healthy, fad diets, quick fixes and nothing seems to work as well as WW.  It forces you to make wise choices and think about what you eat, but most of all how much you eat.  After some stress issues and noticing that lately I just feel bad and bloaty, I have made the choice to go back on WW and get back to simple healthy eating, but not having to give up some of my favorite things.  I love that about WW, you just have to decide if that piece of cake is worth it now, because you will have to eat salad later.  This is a picture of me and my sweet baby girl last year at her cousin's wedding.  Since I am often the one taking pictures of my family there aren't very many full length ones of me, really showing my shape.  So, although this one is a year old, it is the best example.  (Please excuse my white legs, I didn't get out in the sun much last year) I weigh and look the same today as in this picture.  Well, here goes nothing.  I hope you enjoy this journey in pictures as much as I hope to in life!

216 pounds

September 1, 2011

Depleting the Disney Fund (already)

You might notice from my Disney Fund sidebar that we went from $400 to $40. I said that money would not be touched because we are saving for a vacation (of some sort, hopefully Disney in 2012), but we made a decision that was meaningful to our family. We decided that since I was able to save so much so quickly, we would put it to better use for us, for right now. I withdrew the money from my hidden envelope and PAID OFF a loan. Now, our debt is a little lighter and I'm happy with starting over on my Disney fund. Sometimes, you have to think about the long term. With fewer bills, I should be able to make up the funds I spent later on. It is what is best for us right now, and when I pulled out that money, my husband was surprised and thrilled at what I had been able to save this summer while he was out of town for work. Now, he knows that I am determined to have a vacation soon, and we can work toward that goal together. I am happy with our decision, but I still can't wait to see Mickey!!!!!!

A goodnight prayer

Abbey:

God is great
God is good
Let us thank him for our food
And all our people
And all our things
And the nursery of our bodies
Pray in Christ name
Amen


I did it just like Poppie!

(Poppie prays before eating for the food to be a nourishment to our bodies.)

I'm sooooo over Summer

Well, it always seems to happen about this time of the year. I get so very tired of summer, the heat, the food, the gardening, the skinny people going to the beach. I'm just over it. I'm ready for my favorite time of year...FALL. The leaves turning, the crisp air, the sunny yet cool days, the football, the food. I just love Fall. It appeals to me in every way. There is a rebirth of the year it seems. No matter what type of year you are having so far, it can begin again, fresh and new as if it were January 1 all over again. I love that about fall. The kids are back in school, the summer vacations are over and it is time for business.

I am trying my best to get organized for this time of year, because I know we will be involved in so much more that we were in the spring and summer, and even last school year. I only have one daughter who is three and a half and you may say, "Well, how busy can you be with just a three year old." As simple as it should be, our lives are not simple. Abbey is in Day Care three days and pre-school two days a week. I work full time, have a little side business, and serve on a town authority board. My husband also works full time. Right now he has crazy hours with shift changes and overtime and he has already spent much of his summer in another state for work(boy am I glad that is over). So we have busy lives. This year we will add dance classes to that and hopefully more involvement in the church where she attends pre-school (that is another ballgame altogether). So, I have to stay on top of my game in order to pull this off.

Many years ago, when I was trying to get organized with housework, I made a daily cleaning list. The concept was to clean a room of the house each day, so that it would always be in some type of order. Each day had a checklist of what should be accomplished in that room. Along with the "a room a day" idea, I had a list of simple daily chores such as pick up toys, clear table, make up beds, that were daily jobs overall. My job was to set aside time each day to work on this list. I haven't worked on that list in a very, very long time, but I do believe it is time to reinstate the list.

Also, a task to save time in the past was freezer cooking (or once a month cooking). I always seem to love to cook and put away food in the fall. I like to actually bake fresh bread and use up the last of the garden and farmer's market finds. I have a very extensive list of foods that freeze well and in order to help save me time in the evenings when I need to be cleaning or spending value time with my family, I will only have to cook minimally due to the prep work and menu planning for each month. There will more on this in future posts, because I would like to keep up with my progress on my blog.

Finally, Sunday afternoon. It is a wonderful time for rest and since my daughter loves her Sunday afternoon naps, I intend on taking advantage and prepping for each upcoming week. My idea is to already have the laundry fixed so that I have each family members clothes laid out for the week (and yes Clark will pick his own clothes, I'm not that obsessed with this). I also will have lunches planned for the week (this will be part of the menu plan and freezer foods). All the bills for the week will be signed, sealed and ready for the mail the next day, and any school work that needs to be planned, signed, and/or sent to school will be looked over and ready in Abbey's backpack.

I know this seems very detailed for the normal, everyday life, and there will be kinks in the road, but having it written will hopefully set it in stone for me. I pray that you will make me accountable for my plan and that I can blog more regularly with my results. Now, that my computer is in operating order, I really hope to make that happen.

Now, tell me, what do you have planned for the Fall????????

Conversations with Abbey

#1 - While driving to work earlier in the week.

Abbey: I have two boyfriends, mommy.
Me: You do?
Abbey: Yea, Isaac (a little blonde boy from day care) is my number 1 boyfriend.
Me: Oh, well, who is boyfriend number two.
Abbey: Zac Brown Band, but I haven't seen him in a while.


#2 - While stopping at Linda's Market, a local convenent store, for a biscuit for breakfast before work.

Abbey: What is the place called that we get our biscuits.
Me: Linda's Market.
Abbey: Yea, Linda in my best friend.


#3 - And some of you might have seen this one on facebook.

Me: Who is that singing, Abbey?
Abbey: Thompson Block.
Me: No, it's Thompson Square. What is the name of the song?
Abbey: If your gonna kiss me then what.


We have just had so many memorable conversations this week.

Farmers Market

I've been in a fix lately, trying to save money by couponing and stock piling instead of buying local fresh food.

My name is Carrie and I have failed to buy local.

Coupons are great, especially for things like cleaning supplies, makeup, and things that you can't get locally. But when this time of year provides you with the best the ground has to offer, you should take advantage, and I haven't.

Hubby got home from two weeks in Michigan and mentioned that he was living off IHOP and Burger King. I knew he would love to have some real food while he was home, so I went to the Farmer's Market, one of my favorite places, to re-energize my love for local. I'm glad to say that it worked. I came home with broccoli, english peas, cabbage, lettuce, onions, squash, cucumbers, and the desire to make an incredible meal.

Tonight's meal:

Steak (as requested by hubby)
Steamed Broccoli
Fried Cabbage
Squash Casserole
Pea Salad
Garden Salad

I almost went back to buy extra peas to freeze, but didn't know if I would have time to shell them today. I have heard that you should shell and preserve them as quickly as possible. I just hope there are some available next week, so I can start adding to my freezer for the winter. Well, I know this hasn't been a very exciting blog, but I was just happy to enjoy food again and needed to share. Here is the pea salad recipe that I have fixed. It isn't really healthy, but there are ways to make it so.

Peas Salad

16 oz. Fresh or Frozen Peas
1/3 cup onion
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/2 Ranch dressing


Blanch the peas for one to two minutes in boiling water. Drain. Mix all other ingredients together. Fold in peas. Chill for at least a half hour before serving.

** To make this healthier use turkey bacon, low fat cheese, and make this dressing

Let me draw your attention...

...to the right side of my blog. I have decided to keep up with my preserving this year, by putting a gadget on the right side of my blog and listing the summer and fall foods that I put up for the winter. This will help me know how much I store of each item to make a reference for next year, in case I need to add or subtract the amount. It can also let you all in blog land know what I'm up to these days, give you a chance to ask questions, and see my progress throughout the season. I will try my best to have pictures for you as well (if I can get my home computer working again). Also, I am proud to say that I have added to my Disney fund. So, please take a look at what is added to the side bar and let me know if you preserve your seasonal goods as well. I believe there are more and more of us doing so each year.