Finding Myself

New Blog

2011-06-05T13:15:00.003-04:00

Check out my new blog at http://tomyhappyplace.blogspot.com/.

Feeling Hungry

2010-07-23T16:57:00.000-04:00

Well, I got back on the weight loss wagon yesterday and things are going well. Even with a week of not working out, I managed to lose weight. I'm pretty stoked about that considering that I wasn't working out or really watching what I was eating.

It's now almost 5 pm and I'm hungry. It's really close to dinner so I don't want to eat anything now. But, I'm a little worried because dinner may be late tonight. I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I'll workout before dinner to take my mind off of feeling hungry. Maybe I'll go swimming instead. I'm not really sure but I'm sure I'll figure out something.

Does anyone have any suggestions for feeling full longer?

Whole Wheat Fettuccine with Shrimp & Peas

2010-07-23T16:40:00.002-04:00

This recipe can be found in its original form at http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/pasta/whole-wheat-fettuccine-with-shrimp-peas/

clipped from www.fitnessmagazine.com

Ingredients
Whole wheat pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup small shrimp
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
3 tablespoons frozen peas, rinsed and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese

Make It
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add shrimp, tomatoes, garlic, and rosemary; saute 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peas; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes more. Toss shrimp mixture with cooked drained pasta. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

clipped from www.fitnessmagazine.com

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts per serving:
Calories 341
Total Fat (g) 10
Saturated Fat (g) 2
Carbohydrate (g) 47
Fiber (g) 6
Protein (g) 17
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Italian Sausage and Veggie Pasta

2010-07-23T16:37:00.002-04:00

This recipe can be found in its original form at http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/easy-healthy-pasta-recipes/?page=2.

clipped from www.fitnessmagazine.com

Ingredients
2 ounces uncooked whole wheat pasta
1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
1 precooked Italian-style chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Make It
Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat spaghetti sauce, sausage, garlic, and vegetables for about 12 minutes, until veggies are tender. Top pasta with sauce mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

clipped from www.fitnessmagazine.com

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts per serving:
Servings Per Recipe 1 serving
Calories 494
Total Fat (g) 13
Saturated Fat (g) 5
Carbohydrate (g) 71
Fiber (g) 6
Protein (g) 31
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Farfalle with Watercress, Cherry Tomatoes, and Feta

2010-07-23T16:33:00.002-04:00

This post can be found in it's original form at http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/easy-healthy-pasta-recipes/?page=1

clipped from www.fitnessmagazine.com

Farfalle with Watercress, Cherry Tomatoes, and Feta

Ingredients
8 ounces farfalle pasta
1 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cups watercress leaves (from 2 small bunches)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Make It
Cook pasta according to package directions. Place the cheese in a large bowl; top with the watercress. Before draining the pasta, take 1/4 cup of the cooking water from the pot and pour it over the watercress. (Watercress will wilt slightly and cheese will get soft.) Place the tomatoes in a colander. Drain the pasta over the tomatoes for a super-quick blanch. Toss with the watercress and cheese; sprinkle with pepper and serve.

Slacking Off...

2010-07-22T16:29:00.000-04:00

Well, I've been slacking off again this week. I did well up until Sunday when I started feeling sick. I've taken it easy this week and I haven't done anything. I know that being sick isn't an excuse for not working out. Things have just been very rough around here for the past few days.

I spoke with my sister earlier today and we've set a workout date. We're going to get together tomorrow and really kick it into high gear. I've been so disgusted with myself this week so I'm hoping I'll feel better tomorrow morning.

I don't feel like I've gained any weight but I won't know for sure until I weigh in tomorrow morning. I certainly hope I haven't gained any of the weight back because that's going to put me behind schedule. BUT, if I am behind, I'll catch up. I'm going to make sure that I don't have set backs like this again in the future.

Some things really need to change around here so that I feel like I have the time required to workout and get healthy. Most of the things that have to change start with me. I have to not work as much as I do, which is pretty much all the time. And, I have to start getting up earlier in the morning so I can workout before going to the office.

If I were to get up earlier, I would have more time for me without the boys, which means I can focus solely on me until they get up. The weekend is rapidly approaching and I have so many things to do. Okay, enough talking. It's time for me to get ready for a workout before dinner.

Snacks Under 100 Calories | Best Recipes for Healthy Snacks

2010-07-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

Snacks Under 100 Calories | Best Recipes for Healthy Snacks

What a Great Monday!

2010-07-12T21:42:00.000-04:00

I can't believe what a fabulous day I've had! Work was amazing, the boys were fairly well behaved, and I got in a great workout. I'm making so many changes that are only going to benefit me and everyone around me. I'm so proud of me!

I didn't workout until this evening because today was so busy. I was watching television after dinner and I started to feel guilty because I hadn't worked out. Isn't that something? I was feeling guilty. Things are really starting to fall into place and I couldn't be happier.

I've also noticed that my stress isn't as bad as it used to be. I'm in much better moods, which is always good. The only problem I'm having at this point is sleeping. As soon as I lay down, I'm wide awake. I feel like I can't turn my brain off. I end up staying up half the night and oversleeping in the morning. Anyone have any suggestions?

Okay, it's time for me to turn in for the night. I've got another busy day tomorrow and I want to spend some quality time with my husband. Have a great night!

Great Weekend!

2010-07-11T21:13:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted here since Thursday but I've been very busy. Friday was a hectic day at the office and I was so happy when 5:00 came. My day was full of meetings, manuals, and other paperwork. For a virtual assistant, I certainly have more paperwork than I would have thought.

Once I "left" the office, my wonderful husband took me out to dinner. Our dinner was absolutely amazing! We went to a local diner and I splurged a little. I was in the mood for seafood and their crab stuffed flounder is to die for. They were running a special, crab stuffed flounder and crab stuffed shrimp. That's what I ordered. I also got a salad, macaroni and cheese, and french fries. However, I never even touched the fries. I did eat the mac and cheese, which I shouldn't have eaten but it was delicious.

I felt full after I ate the shrimp (it was only one) but I couldn't take the flounder home. It was unbearably hot here Friday and we had some other things to do before going home. So...I ate it. I was so full when we left that I was almost miserable. There was no way I was going to throw the flounder in the trash, which would have happened if I tried to take it home or left it on my plate.

We got a half a bushel of Maryland blue crabs on Saturday and went to my mom's to share them with her and my sister. I was a great day! It rained here all day yesterday and I would've been bored to tears at home. I got in some Wii Fit and even jogged for a while. My sister and I played Mario Cart on Wii after we ate. I had about 10 crabs and 1 crab had about 1 ounce of meat.

Today has been sort of blah. I haven't felt like doing much because the heat has returned. I worked on some laundry today and helped out in the garden picking potatoes. I love our garden! My husband has a marvelous green thumb and we all reap what he sows. We got a wheel barrow full of potatoes, which will probably last us a few months. That's pretty much all I've done today. I wanted to get in some swimming this afternoon but, after all the rain we got yesterday, the water looks a little yucky. It'll be cleaned tomorrow so we can all get in tomorrow afternoon.

I weighed in yesterday and lost 1.1 pounds since the last time I checked my weight. I only have 0.2 pounds to go to reach my goal on Wii Fit Plus. I'm going to jump on for a bit tomorrow and see how I'm doing. I have my goal set to lose 2 pounds every 2 weeks and I've been working hard to meet it.

Well, that's all for me tonight. I've got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow and I need to start planning. I'm going to start my watching a movie with my favorite man. :-)

Gaining Insight and Losing Weight

2010-07-08T19:45:00.002-04:00

I've had a pretty busy week this week and it's not over just yet. I still have to make it through tomorrow and Saturday before I get a day "off". I have to say, however, that I've never felt so good in all my life! I've learned so much already and I want to keep going. I'm finding so many ways to be active, including getting my mom and sister involved with Wii Fit Plus. It's so amazing to be able to bond over health, exercise, and wellness.

My mom is a breast cancer survivor, which is why I chose this template, so we're very lucky to have her. She's been through a tremendous amount of pain in her life, not just with the cancer, and it's so great to see her living again. She's in a new relationship now and I can't remember the last time she's smiled as much as she's been lately.

Her first diagnosis came in April 2001 and she fell apart, naturally. As a woman, I think I would have been devastated to hear I had breast cancer. Her latest diagnosis came in late 2009. This time, she underwent new surgery that included a double mastectomy and a tummy tuck. The surgeon used the extra fat from her abdomen to create new breasts. It was a grueling 24 hour surgery but she pulled through. Unfortunately, not all of the tissue survived, which led her to another surgery for an implant.

After all of this, she never gave up. She's truly my hero because she never let anything get her down to the point where she wanted to just give up. After her diagnosis in 2009, I really started thinking about breast cancer. I had my first mammogram in January of this year and it put the fear of God into me. I was petrified! It was then that I started really thinking in earnest about my health.

However, it wasn't until I hit 30 that I really got into being healthier. Maybe that's because I was in denial; I don't know. I honestly don't have any answer for why it took me so long. My entire outlook has changed! I've been grabbing the bull by the horns, so to speak, and taking back my life. It's certainly not going to hurt me to eat better, exercise, and live a healthier lifestyle.

Out of all of this, my mom, sister, and I are closer now than we've ever been! There's nothing better than family and I'm the wealthiest person I know because I have a wonderful family. I've been reflecting on all of this lately and it's really made me sad to see how much time I've wasted being unhealthy.

I weighed in this morning and I'm down another 0.4 pounds, which brings me to a grand total of 13 pounds lost since July 1. I can't really explain my weight loss; I'm not starving myself or working out too much. I think a lot of it had to do with me shedding some of my insecurities. Once I was able to finally let go of the past, things just started falling into place.

I'm finally on the right track and I feel fabulous!

Water Fitness: Part VI

2010-07-08T09:01:00.000-04:00

Exercise: Crunch

Once out of the pool, spread out a mat or even your towel on a straight bench. Your knees should be bent and feet flat on the floor. Rest four fingers lightly on the side of your head, around your ears. Lift your shoulders and head so that you can see your knees for a moment. Return to the starting position gradually. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise: Floating on Water

Relaxation is an essential aspect of completing an exercise routine. Let your body loose and let it float on water. You will be amazed, besides proving as an essential sport, swimming also lets you relax.

*Content and images are property of Women Fitness.net and can be found in their original form at http://www.womenfitness.net/fitinwater.htm.

Water Fitness: Part V

2010-07-08T08:56:00.000-04:00

Exercise: Standing Kickbacks

Stand an arms-length away from the pool wall. Keep your shoulders relaxed, your feet together and arms hanging by your sides. Breathe normally. Rest both of your hands against the pool side and shoulder height. Keep your arms straight. Bend your knees a little, tucking in your bottom as you do do. Using your buttock and thigh muscles, raise your left leg and swing it gently back. Keep the supporting leg bent a little and don't raise your leg too high. Repeat 5 times with each leg.

Exercise: Leg Adduction and Abduction

Stand with your back pressed to the pool side, hold on to the rod (against the wall of the pool) for support. Keeping your back straight raise your legs (similarly as in Waist Trimmer). Try spreading out your legs with minimum strain on the back. Move your legs only from the hip joint. Now draw your legs simultaneously and smoothly together into the middle.

*Content and images are property of Women Fitness.net and can be found in their original form at http://www.womenfitness.net/fitinwater.htm.

Water Fitness: Part IV

2010-07-08T07:50:00.000-04:00

Exercise: Waist Trimmer

With your back against the poolside, arm along the edge for support, draw the knees to your chest. Extend your legs straight ahead. Inhaling, swing legs to your left and to your right and back to center. As you exhale move legs to front and withdraw to chest. Repeat this 10 times. All through the motion keep your back pressed against the wall.

Images:

Exercise: Total Body Stretch

Facing the side of the pool, grip on to the edge with your hands. Bend your knees and press your feet against the poolside as you inhale. While exhaling, move hips back. Take care not to lock your knees or elbows or strain your back. Repeat 10 times.

Images:

*Content and images are property of Women Fitness.net and can be found in their original form at http://www.womenfitness.net/fitinwater.htm.

Water Fitness: Part III

2010-07-08T06:43:00.000-04:00

Exercise: Jumping Jacks

This exercise will be greatly affected by your fitness level, so if you are a beginner, do not get disappointed by the result. With practice, however, you will be able to perform this exercise. Start with your feet flat on the bottom of the pool and your arms relaxed by your sides. Bend your knees and spring up off the bottom of the pool as high as you can. As you jump, kick your legs out to the sides pointing your toes down and swinging your arms out to the side and above your head so that your limbs form a start shape. Land with knees bent and feet apart. Once again jump as high as you can and bring your feet back and together with arms by your sides. Repeat this procedure 10 times.

Images:

Exercise: Side Stretch

Stand sideways to the pool wall holding onto the edge with arm fully extended, and feet flat on the pool floor. Inhale as you extend the outside arm overhead as in Posterior Shoulder Stretch. Exhale as you lean hips away from poolside. Do 10 times on each side.

Image:

*Content and images are property of Women Fitness.net and can be found in their original form at http://www.womenfitness.net/fitinwater.htm.

Water Fitness: Part II

2010-07-08T05:38:00.004-04:00

Exercise: Water Marching

To begin, stand up straight breathing evening and make continuous strides as if marching on the spot, extending arms and legs as far as you can. The resistance created by the water will keep the march in slow motion. Stretch your limbs to the full, pointing your toes and pulling your arms vigorously back and forth. Start with 2 minutes or so or as long as it makes you slightly breathless. Simply aim for a good rhythmic walking movement.

Below are some images to help you visualize:

*Content and images are property of Women Fitness.net and can be found in their original form at http://www.womenfitness.net/fitinwater.htm.

Water Fitness: Part I

2010-07-07T17:13:00.000-04:00

Because I've been spending so much time in the pool lately, I wanted to make sure I was getting in all the exercise I could. I asked my wonderful husband to Google some water exercises so I would know what to do in the pool other than swimming. He found some great stuff for me, which I'd love to share with you.

I just installed Clipmarks but the formatting is all wrong for posting here. So, I'll be posting each exercise in a separate blog post to make sure nothing gets left out and the author gets credited properly.

Without further adieu, here's part one:

Toning Arms: Stand with your feet apart, arms extended straight in front of you holding a ball. Breathing rhythmically, push the ball under the water and swing it into a figure-eight pattern through the water. Feel the varying resistances on the arms and upper body. Move in as smooth a rhythm as you can making sure not to strain your shoulders or back. Try maintaining a sturdy balance and repeat 10 times.

Here's some images to help you visualize the written instructions.

*Content and images are property of Women Fitness.net and can be found in their original form at http://www.womenfitness.net/fitinwater.htm.

Awesome Day!

2010-07-06T20:47:00.000-04:00

Although today was hot as Hades, it wasn't that bad. I got in a lot of swimming today because of the heat. I didn't get in any walking, Wii Fit, or strength training because of the heat but something is better than nothing. I've honestly never felt better. I'm already further along than I've ever been and I'm so proud of myself.

There was one downside to today, however. I skipped lunch. I know, I know, that's a big no-no but I was so hot that I couldn't eat. We lost power here for just about all afternoon. No power means no AC. I wasn't about to sit in the house without power and sweat. So, the boys and I went out to the pool to cool off. We played volleyball (as well as one can play with a 5 year old) and just had fun.

We had an early dinner as a result of skipping lunch. I had 2 servings of homemade chicken Caesar salad and it was so good. I wasn't about to cook anything! The boys had sandwiches with chips and they loved it. We went swimming again after dinner and just came in a little while ago. It's not that hot once the sun goes down so I didn't want to go inside.

I've made plans to take the Wii over to my mom's later this week and get some exercising in with some of my favorite ladies. I got on the Wii this morning to check my weight and I'm down another 0.9 pounds!! I won't check my weight again until later this week. I don't want to become obsessed with it but I do want to keep it going in the right direction.

Okay, that's it for me today. It's time to relax with my wonderful husband and catch up on the shows I missed today.

Dieting Gripes

2010-07-06T10:10:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm not in a bad mood but there are some things that really irritate me when it comes to dieting and losing weight.

I've heard so many different answers to the question, "How often should I weigh myself?" Some say to weigh in every day, others say to weigh in once a week, and others still say to weigh in once per month. I'm scared to weigh in every day because I don't want to become obsessed with my weight. Besides, if I don't see positive results who's to say I'll stick with it?

I think all restaurants should provide you with calorie information in their menu or upon request. There's nothing worse than going out to dinner and not knowing exactly what you're eating. Take grilled chicken for example, some is x amount of calories while others are 3x those calories. How are we supposed to keep up with all of this without carrying around every diet and calorie counting book known to man?

I wish there was just one set of rules to follow when losing weight. Trying to keep up with all the different rules is almost a workout in itself. Many restaurants are starting to add a healthy section to their menus but I don't think it's good enough.

Okay, I'm done griping for the day. It's time for me to get moving if I want to make my goals for this week.

Week 2

2010-07-05T20:54:00.000-04:00

Today's the start of week 2 and I'm super psyched! I want to be active and do so many things outside. I feeling like a new person!

Today has been a great day. I got some much needed housework done, ran a few errands, and played volleyball in the pool. We're under a code red this week, which means air temperatures are going to exceed 100 degrees and the humidity is going to be very high. As a result, I may not be outside as much as I'd like to be this week but I'm definitely going to make good use of the pool. I'm trying to get my husband to get our bikes out and ready but he's been pretty busy. I've asked him everyday since Friday. I won't go back to get them myself because of the snakes.

I did manage to get him to bring in my bench so that I can start the Jackie Warner workout this week. I'm going to work on that tomorrow. I had to take some time to day to make a space for it. You see, I'm very particular about everything having a place and everything being in its place. I don't like clutter so I had to re-work some things to make it fit. I was successful in that task today so I'll definitely be using it tomorrow morning.

My goal for this week is to do Jackie Warner's workout 3 days, Wii Fit Plus for 5 days, swimming for 5 days, and walking for 3 days. Is that too much? The swimming I have to do because it's something I enjoy and it's going to be so hot this week. I'm going to make a schedule of my goals to keep me motivated. I'm going to associate a small weight loss goal for each week as well. At the end of each week, I'll weigh in to see if I achieved all of my goals. What do you think?

Okay, it's time for me to call it a day. I'm going to head off to watch some television. Have a great night!

Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T17:13:00.001-04:00

I want to wish you all a happy and safe 4th of July!

Our festivities have yet to begin but I'm more than prepared for them. I've got my water packed and ready to go and I've got some snacks handy in my purse. I'm minimizing my chances of overindulging in foods I know I should be eating. I also made sure that I have some sugarless gum handy just in case.

I got in 35 minutes of aerobics this morning before breakfast and I went swimming this afternoon for about an hour. I'm not logging that activity because I really didn't do much of anything. It's pretty hot here today so I just lounged around in the cool water working on my tan.

It's about time for me to get dinner started before heading out for the night. Be safe!

Jackie Warner Workout : Shape.com: Diet, Fitness, Recipes, Healthy Eating Expertise

2010-07-03T23:31:00.002-04:00

I just came across this while catching up on some Shape news. Be sure to take a look at the 20 minute routines and power circuit. I'm going to try to work this routine into mine to maximize results. We'll see how it goes!

Jackie Warner Workout : Shape.com: Diet, Fitness, Recipes, Healthy Eating Expertise

Starting Over...Again

2010-07-03T18:18:00.000-04:00

Well, I got off the weight loss wagon again but I'm back and feeling better than ever. I went through a lot of changes when I hit 30 a couple of months ago. I was in a mild depression for a few weeks before my birthday but it was one of the best things that could have happened. I was forced to re-evaluate my life in relation to where I thought I would be at this point. I was so very disappointed in myself.

However, that disappointment has led to determination. Since my birthday, I've been highly conscious of what I eat and I've been working out on a regular basis. I've started out slowly in an effort to take on track this time. So far, I've lost about 7 pounds. To some, 7 pounds may not seem like a lot but it is in my book.

I'm even shopping much differently than before. I'm visiting the Farmer's Market every week and I'm buying fresh meats instead of frozen. Our garden is starting to bear fruit so I've been out there reaping the rewards. My children are beginning to eat better as well. Now if I could only get my husband to eat better, we'll all be headed in the right direction.

Since starting over with weight loss, I've found some really great and useful tools. I had been a huge fan of SparkPeople but I can't seem to stick with it. I found FitClick in the beginning of June and it's been working well. The only thing I don't like about it is that there isn't a mobile site or smartphone app. The only way to track your food on the go is to tweet it.

Because I use Twitter for business purposes, I didn't feel that tweeting my foods was appropriate. I took some time a couple of nights ago and searched for more online weight loss tools. That's when I came across Live Strong. It's an amazing site and a smartphone app is available for purchase. I wasn't too keen on paying for an app to help track my calories but it's only $2.99. The app is absolutely amazing! Not only can you track your food, you can also track your fitness activities and update your weight. It all syncs with your online account so there's no need to hop on the computer each time.

The one thing about Live Strong that I don't care for is that you have to pay $45/year to access many of the features. I currently have the free plan and it's working well but I would like to see what the other features do to enhance weight loss. But, I'm not going to pay $45/year to find out. I don't have the extra money at this point.

Okay, that's all for me today. I'm going to keep posting here often in order to help hold me accountable. Have a safe and happy 4th!

Slacking Off a Bit

2010-01-06T20:42:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Wednesday and I'm starting to slack off. I didn't do very well with my food today, as you can see. I've been crazy busy with work. I just got a huge promotion of sorts and I've been working on creating plans and processes and implementing some new tools.

I got my walking in yesterday but I didn't get it in today. I'm going to get it in tomorrow though, either before or after my mammogram. I'm a little worried about that because I don't really know what to expect. Apparently, my mammogram isn't the traditional mammogram. I'm having a diagnostic mammogram with ultrasound tomorrow morning. I'm hoping that all goes well.

Now it's time for me to get myself in gear and get this done right! I hope you all have a great night!

Food for January 6, 2010

2010-01-06T20:29:00.002-05:00

Breakfast:
Regular Coffee, 30 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 3 tsp
Splenda, 4 tsp

Breakfast Totals: 39

Lunch:
Dutch Country Whole Wheat Bread (1 slice), 2 serving
Land O'Frost Deli Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, 9 slices, 1 serving
Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise, 1 tbsp
Frigo String Cheese, 2 oz

Lunch Totals: 485

Dinner:
Fried Egg, 2 large
Aunt Jemima Lite Syrup, 0.25 cup
Aunt Jemima Original Pancakes, 2 serving
Scrapple, 4 oz

Dinner Totals: 845

Snack:
Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding, 2 serving
Frigo String Cheese, 2 oz
Nabisco 100 Calorie Yogurt Covered Pretzels, 1 serving

Snack Totals: 380

Total Calories: 1,749

Food for January 5, 2010

2010-01-06T20:22:00.002-05:00

Breakfast:
Regular Coffee, 45 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 9 tsp
Splenda, 6 tsp
Banana, fresh, 1 medium (7" to 7-7/8" long)

Breakfast Totals: 212

Lunch:
Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise, 1 tbsp
Dannon Light & Fit Strawberry Yogurt, 6 oz., 1 serving
Land O'Frost Deli Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, 9 slices, 1 serving
Dutch Country Whole Wheat Bread (1 slice), 2 serving

Lunch Totals: 405

Dinner:
Freshchetta Pepperoni Pizza, 2 serving

Dinner Totals: 820

Snack:
Frigo String Cheese, 2 oz
Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding, 1 serving
Nabisco 100 Calorie Cheese Nips, 1 serving

Snack Totals: 320

Total Calories: 1,757

Italian Style Grilled Chicken

2010-01-05T08:44:00.004-05:00

4 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast OR 4 oz. of boneless, skinless chicken tenderloin
1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste*
1 c. cooked couscous

Combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper in a leak-proof bag. Add chicken and toss until evenly coated. Grill chicken until done, about 8-10 minutes. Serve over cooked couscous. Makes 1 serving.

Nutritional Information:
306 calories, 2.3g fat, 37.4g carbs, 33g protein

*I use No-Salt Salt

This recipe is comparable to Perdue Perfect Portions Italian Style Chicken Breast.

Stress and Hunger

2010-01-04T21:04:00.000-05:00

Ok, I'm on day 4 and I'm so hungry! I've felt hungry all day. Tonight's dinner was chicken, which is full of protein. I was hoping the protein would make me feel fuller longer. I wonder if this feeling of hunger has anything to do with me getting up earlier, the boys going back to school, and me going back to work??

Whatever it is, I wish it would just go away. I've been smoking a lot more than usual today (yes, I'm a smoker). I'm smoking more so I don't eat more. I'm going to be in rough shape when I quit smoking. I've tried noshing on carrot sticks instead of smoking but that only works for so long.

This week is going to be a rough one anyway. I have so much to catch up on with work after being on vacation for over a week. The boys are getting back into their routine for school, which means they're up and fighting earlier than they were when they were on vacation. I also have an appointment on Thursday for my mammogram. That should be fun.

To top things off, one of my clients has requested that I fly out to San Diego next month. Not a big deal, right? Think again. I have to figure out who can watch the boys so my husband doesn't have to take that time off and I have to deal with my husband's phobia of flying. Not to discount his fears at all, but he's never set foot on an airplane in his life.

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I live in Maryland. Right now it's about 10 degrees outside with the wind chill. January and February are usually our coldest months. I'd be crazy not to want to go to San Diego where it's 70 degrees and sunny.

I've been weighing the pros and cons since yesterday. When it's all said and done, it's not worth it for me to fly out. If I earned more money with her it would be a different story. Besides, it kind of defeats the virtual part of my job.

And, on top of all of this, school is winding down for me. I'm in the home stretch of my current semester and only have one more left. That's right, I graduate with my bachelor's degree in business administration in just 3 months! I'm so excited about that. I've been in school full-time since 2005 and I'm in serious need of some time off. I'll be going back for my MBA in August when the boys go back to school.

My GPA is stressing me out, too. I had a 4.0 until last semester. I got Bs in two classes, which brought my average down to a 3.98. I know, I know...that's still an awesome average. But, to someone like me, it's not good enough. I'm trying to at least maintain that average but one class is kicking my butt.

Ok, I've bored you enough with my stressors and whatnot. It's time for me to get settled for bed because I have another busy day tomorrow. Have a great night!

Workout for January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T20:45:00.002-05:00

AM:
Treadmill iFit Level 1: 20 minutes, burned 192 calories

PM:
Wide grip machine pulldowns, 20 pounds
1 set of 20
1 set of 15
1 set of 12
1 set of 10

One Arm Dumbbell Rows, 3 pounds
1 set of 20
1 set of 15
1 set of 12
1 set of 10

Incline Dumbbell Flys, 3 pounds
1 set of 20
1 set of 15
1 set of 12
1 set of 10

Seated Calf Raises, 7 pounds
2 sets of 20
2 sets of 15

Crunches, no weight
1 set of 15

Seated Twist, no weight
2 sets of 15

Total workout time: 30 minutes
Total calories burned: 413

Food for January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T20:38:00.002-05:00

Breakfast:
Tropicana Pure Premium OJ Plus Calcium & Vitamin D, 1 serving
Whole Milk, 0.66 cup
Quaker Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal, 1 serving
Regular Coffee, 30 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 6 tsp
Splenda, 4 tsp

Breakfast Totals: 408

Lunch:
Wishbone Light Italian, 2 tbsp
Au bon Pain, Garden Salad (Small), 1 serving
Land O'Frost Deli Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, 9 slices, 1 serving
Dutch Country Whole Wheat Bread (1 slice), 2 serving
Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise, 1 tbsp

Lunch Totals: 410

Dinner:
Couscous, 1 cup, cooked
Chicken Breast, no skin, 8 ounces

Dinner Totals: 425

Snack:
Regular Coffee, 5 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 3 tsp
Splenda, 2 tsp
Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding, 1 serving
Frigo String Cheese, 2 oz
Dannon Light & Fit Strawberry Yogurt, 6 oz., 1 serving

Snack Totals: 331

Total Calories: 1,575

Exercise for January 3, 2010

2010-01-03T20:10:00.000-05:00

I got on the treadmill today and completed the ifit level 1 program. That level is 20 minutes long and it automatically increases the speed and incline. During those 20 minutes, I burned 192 calories.

Food for January 3, 2010

2010-01-03T20:06:00.001-05:00

Breakfast:
Regular Coffee, 15 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 3 tsp
Splenda, 2 tsp
Tropicana Pure Premium OJ Plus Calcium & Vitamin D, 1 serving
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon (1 slice), 3 serving
Egg substitute, liquid (Egg Beaters), 0.25 cup

Breakfast Totals: 279

Lunch:
Iceberg Lettuce (salad), 1 cup, shredded or chopped
Perdue Short Cuts Southwestern Style, 0.5 cup
Red Ripe Tomatoes, 1 wedge (1/4 of medium tomato)
Kraft Classic Caesar Dressing, 2 tbsp

Lunch Totals: 234

Dinner:
Stouffer's Lasagna with Meat and Sauce, 213 gram(s)
Cole's Garlic Bread, 50 gram(s)
Iceberg Lettuce (salad), 1 cup, shredded or chopped
Red Ripe Tomatoes, 0.25 cup, chopped or sliced
Kraft Free French Dressing, 1 serving(s)

Dinner Totals: 512

Snack:
Regular Coffee, 30 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 6 tsp
Splenda, 4 tsp
Frigo String Cheese, 2 oz

Snack Totals: 229

Total Calories: 1,255

Smart Substitutions Calorie Chart

2010-01-03T14:13:00.001-05:00

-- By Mike Kramer, SparkPeople Contributor

Instead Of:	Try:	Calories Saved (One Serving)
mayonnaise (1 tsp)	mustard	54
New England clam chowder	Manhattan clam chowder	60
soft drink (1 can)	water	100
cream of chicken soup	chicken noodle soup	140
guacamole	salsa	46
buttered popcorn (1 cup)	airpopped popcorn	108
regular potato chips (1 oz)	baked potato chips	90
potato chips (1 oz.)	unbuttered popcorn	60
pudding (1 cup)	sugar free applesauce	108
ice cream (1/2 cup)	non-fat frozen yogurt	153
cream (1 cup)	evaporated milk	300
whole milk (1 cup)	skim milk	60
nachos w/ the works	tortilla chips & salsa	414
fettuccine alfredo (16 oz)	spaghetti w/ tomato sauce	426
veggie pizza (2 slices)	no-cheese veggie pizza	314
chocolate (1 cup)	cocoa	492
bagel w/ cream cheese (1 tbsp)	apple slices w/ peanut butter	119
ranch salad dressing (2 tbsp)	raspberry vinaigrette	68
ground beef (4 oz.)	ground turkey	132
hollandaise sauce (1 cup)	white wine sauce	160
chocolate chip cookies (5)	vanilla wafers	200
5th Avenue candy bar	fig bar (3)	115
cinnamon Pop Tart (2)	large graham crackers (4)	140
carrot cake (3 oz.)	gingerbread	51
peking/hoisin sauce (3 oz.)	oyster sauce	99
flaked coconut (1 cup)	diced pineapple	265
tartar sauce (1 tbsp)	lemon juice	70
Hershey chocolate bar	Nestle Rich chocolate hot cocoa	105
cheddar cheese (1 cup)	mozzarella cheese	141
cinnamon raisin bagel	cinnamon raisin english muffin	106
café latte	hot tea	122
ricotta cheese (1 cup)	low-fat cottage cheese	172
sour cream (1 cup)	plain yogurt	343

Courtesy of SparkPeople - http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=162.

Food for January 2, 2010

2010-01-02T21:09:00.001-05:00

Breakfast:
Regular Coffee, 30 fl oz
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 6 tsp
Splenda, 4 tsp

Breakfast Totals: 69

Lunch:
McDonald's Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, 1 serving
McDonald's Newman's Own Creamy Caesar Dressing (2 fl oz), 0.75 serving
Dutch Country Whole Wheat Bread (1 slice), 2 serving
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Smoked Turkey Breast (6 slices), 1 serving
Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise, 1 tbsp
Red Ripe Tomatoes, 2 slice, thin/small
Iceberg Lettuce (salad), 2 leaf, large

Lunch Totals: 653

Dinner:
Stouffer's Lasagna with Meat and Sauce, 213 gram(s)
Cole's Garlic Bread, 50 gram(s)

Dinner Totals: 450

Snack:
Cereal, Chocolatey Delight, Kellogg's Special K, 0.75 cup
Whole Milk, 0.5 cup
Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Vanilla Swirls Pudding, 2 serving

Snack Totals: 315

Total Calories: 1,487

A New Experience

2010-01-02T20:39:00.001-05:00

Today was a bit off. I was hungry when I got up this morning but didn't feel hungry after I had some coffee. Downfall #1. Just before 11 am, we left to go to the grocery store. Sometimes I think my family is addicted to the grocery store! :-) Anyway, we hit McDonald's before going and I got the Chicken Caesar salad with grilled chicken and I didn't use all of my dressing! I ate the entire salad and was satisfied.

We were out for about 3 hours today because we had to run by Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. We got a new puzzle that we can work on together. While we were in Wal-Mart, I went through the nutrition section, if you want to call it that. I saw Jillian Michaels whey protein mix and picked it up. The flavor is triple chocolate so I just knew it was going to be something I could drink. Well, I have to tell you that it's an acquired taste! The powder smelled really good in the can.

I followed the directions and mixed it with milk. I started out using a fork to get all of the powder mixed but that didn't work very well. My husband mixed it up for me using the milkshake mixer and it looked good. The smell was something I didn't think it would be after smelling the powder. I took a sip and OMG! I've never tasted anything like that in my life.

Being the Facebook junkie that I am, I posted my thoughts and got a few comments. One person said to drink it very fast and another said to add lots of ice. I haven't tried those yet but I think I'll give it a shot tomorrow, if I can muster up the courage.

I also found that Jillian has a few dietary supplements out. I picked one up with the intent to purchase but then decided against it. My husband looked at me, confused. I told him that I want to do this without the use of pills. So, I put the pills back and just got the whey protein. I'm still wondering if I made the right decision. :-)

Moving on....

I was expecting to be sore this morning when I woke up but I wasn't. Boy, am I sore now though. I guess it just takes a while for the pain to kick in. I didn't get on the treadmill today because I still haven't gotten it set up properly. I'm waiting for my husband to secure my desk so I can walk and use the computer. He says he's going to do that tomorrow but we'll see. Tomorrow is definitely a cardio day and I have to be prepared for Monday.

Tomorrow is my last day of vacation and it's kind of bittersweet. I'm sad to have to go back to the all stress accompanied with my job but I'm glad to get back to my usual routine. My usual routine, however, has changed drastically since my last day of work. I'm going to start taking lunch and not at my desk. I'm also going to be working out now, so no more late nights.

I'm super excited about this year! I can't wait to really get into the swing of things and to start feeling better. I'll be posting my meals in a bit, after I have my last snack for the day.

Have a great evening!

Food for January 1, 2010

2010-01-02T15:15:00.002-05:00

Breakfast:
Quaker Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal, 1 serving
Tropicana Pure Premium OJ Plus Calcium & Vitamin D, 0.5 serving
Whole Milk, 2/3 cup

Breakfast Total: 284

Lunch:
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 cup, shredded
Perdue Short Cuts Southwestern Style, 0.5 cup
Black-eyed peas (cowpeas), immature seeds, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt, 0.5 cup
Kraft Classic Caesar Dressing, 2 tbsp

Lunch Total: 305

Dinner:
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 2 cup, shredded
Perdue Short Cuts Southwestern Style, 0.5 cup
Kraft Classic Caesar Dressing, 2 tbsp
McDonalds Sweet Tea (large), 1 serving
Dutch Country Whole Wheat Bread (1 slice), 2 serving
Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise, 1 tbsp
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Smoked Turkey Breast (6 slices), 1 serving

Dinner Total: 746

Snack:
Regular Coffee, 2 cup (8 fl oz)
Coffee-mate Original Creamer (1 Tbsp serving), 6 tsp
Splenda, 4 tsp
Jell-O Sugar Free Chocolate Vanilla Swirls Pudding, 1 serving

Snack Total: 125

TOTAL CALORIES: 1,460

Meet my Family

2010-01-02T10:32:00.001-05:00

I wanted to introduce you to the people who matter the most to me. This is a rather old photo as it was taken in 2008.

Clockwise: Me, my husband, Randy, and Robby

All of my boys mean the world to me and they're my driving force for everything I do in life. They give me strength when I need it the most and the give me the courage I need to step out of my comfort zone. I can't imagine my life without them in it!

So that's my family. Have a great day!

My First Workout

2010-01-01T11:30:00.002-05:00

Today is a new year so it makes sense to start fresh. My wonderful husband spent some time last night looking for workout routines for me. Isn't he great? I'm such a lucky girl! During his internet travels, he found quite a few beginner workouts for me and took some from each one to create a custom routine. Our boys worked out with us this morning and they were so cute.

Below is the workout I did this morning. This is a 12 week program with strength training three days per week and cardio 3 days per week. However, since my husband made me a desk for my treadmill, I'm going to walk, blog and Facebook in the mornings 5 days per week. I get the boys on the bus at 8 am so I have about an hour before work. Anyway, here's the workout.

Today, being Friday, was Legs, Calves, and Abs.

Leg Extension - 20 lb. weight
1 set of 20
1 set of 16
1 set of 15
1 set of 14

Leg Curls - 10 lb. weight
1 set of 20
1 set of 16
1 set of 14
1 set of 12

Calf Raises - No weight
2 sets of 20
2 sets of 15

Stationary Lunges - No weight
1 set of 15 (each leg)

Step Ups - No weight
2 sets of 20
2 sets of 15

Crunches - No weight
2 sets of 20

Decline Crunches - No weight
2 sets of 10

Seated Twist - No weight
2 sets of 15

Total workout time: 26 minutes

During this workout, my legs felt like jello. Right now, I feel great! I'm very proud of myself because I was able to complete all of the exercises.

I just remembered that I didn't weigh in this morning before getting started. I'll do that in a bit so I know where I'm starting. I've set a target date of June 1st to lose about 50 pounds. That's losing about 2 pounds per week. My husband is working out with me and we agreed to weigh in on the first of each month. The scale motivates, frustrates, and discourages me. If I see a loss, I'm thrilled and want to do more. But, if I see a gain or nothing at all I'm ready to throw it all out the window.I wasn't going to weigh in until June 1 so I could see some great results but my husband convinced me to weigh in on the first of each month.

I'm really excited about this year. It's starting off on the right foot already and I know it's just going to keep getting better! Check back for my first official weigh in later today!

More About Me

2010-01-01T07:00:00.069-05:00

In my very first post, I promised to tell you more about who I am. Well, here goes.

I've been married to my husband for almost 8 years. We started dating during my junior year of high school and in May we'll be together for 13 years. That's right - we dated and lived together for 5 years before we were married. We've certainly had our share of rough times but they've never been something we couldn't overcome. I'm truly blessed to have him in my life.

I'm a perfectionist! I don't think my family likes that very much but oh well. I have to have things written down and planned or they don't get done. Maybe that's been part of my problem with weight loss. Hmmm, that's something to think about.

I'm also a sarcastic person. Oh man, do I love sarcasm. I always have a witty comeback. :-) I do my best to spare the feelings of others and to be respectful and tactful. I don't like confrontation and have a difficult time saying no to certain people.

As I've mentioned several times before, I go to school full time working toward my degree in business administration. Not to toot my own horn, but I currently have a 3.98 GPA with one semester to go! Told you I'm a perfectionist.

I love all kinds of things. I enjoy several genres of music - country, classical, R&B...anything but bluegrass. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes but I don't get to do much of that these days. I love the classics, like Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, etc. I also love reading the Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell.

I love video games. I'm not into the shoot 'em types but I love Mario Brothers. We bought a Wii last summer and it's so much fun. I can't afford the Wii Fit but I love the tennis and bowling. There are so many games I want to get that I've started a list so nothing gets left out.

My family often tells me I'm a workaholic and I may very well be. I work from home as a virtual assistant. Many people may not know what that is, so I'll fill you in. A virtual assistant is basically an at-home administrative assistant. We can do just about anything an in-house admin assistant can do except bring you your coffee. I have 2 full-time clients who keep me very busy.

I got into the virtual assistant industry when I left my last traditional job. There's nothing like an employer telling you to choose between your family and your job to make the decision a no-brainer. I've been working as a VA for almost 3 years now and I love it. I'm here to get the boys on the bus and I'm here when they get home. No daycare or gas expenses for me! There are times when it's very difficult to work from home. Take the summer months for instance. When the boys are home, it's very difficult to keep them confined during my work hours.

I think I'm pretty much addicted to my laptop. I use it for work, school, and personal things, like Facebook, blogging, Twitter, etc. Before I got my BlackBerry, I would take my laptop just about everywhere. When we would take day trips, I'd take it along so I can work in the car. My wonderful husband bought a neat power converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet in the car. I plug my laptop into that and I've got power.

Feel free to add me as a friend on Facebook but be sure to send a little note letting me know who you are. You can also follow me on Twitter but I don't tweet as often as I should. I'm trying to get better about that but you know how things go.

So, that's pretty much me. I'm sure I've left out some things but you'll get to know me by reading my posts. When writing, I don't hold back on anything! Oh, one more thing - I can have a temper sometimes. ;-) There may be times when I use foul language but I'll do my best to keep it PG.

I hope 2010 is treating you well thus far. Happy New Year!

A Look at 2009

2009-12-31T19:50:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!

I've been reflecting quite a bit today on all of the things that happened in 2009 and all of the things I wanted to happen in 2009. This year has flown by and I didn't accomplish a third of what I had planned.

The first part of the year is pretty much a blur for me. Between work, school, and the family, things were super busy. I was hoping to be at least 50 pounds lighter this year but that didn't happen.

In August, the family and I went to Atlanta, GA for a weekend conference. My husband and the boys got to hang out at our hotel swimming in the pool while I attended the conference. We visited the Atlanta Zoo, which cost us over $70. It was terribly hot, humid, and muggy. I was so grateful for air conditioning. We drove down, which I don't recommend to anyone with small children.

In September, my baby boy started Pre-K. While I was so happy for him, his first day was very hard on me. For the first time in my adult life, I actually heard the clock ticking. He's only gone for half a day but that first half day was the longest 4 hours of 2009.

In October, my mom, who is an 8 year breast cancer survivor, was diagnosed with breast cancer again. She is set for a double mastectomy in February. On October 1, she had her routine mammogram and I went in for a routine physical. Needless to say, neither of these were routine. During my physical exam, my doctor found a few lumps in my left breast. I've since scheduled a mammogram for myself and am hoping for good results. October 1 happens to by my husband's birthday so I felt bad about telling him about my doctor's visit on that day.

With November came Thanksgiving and an over abundance of food. We get together at my grandparents' house to celebrate and, once again, the food and the company was top notch. My sister and I took quite a few pictures and even got a shot of three generations of women. From left to right is my mom, my grandmother, me, and my sister.

December was, as usual, very hectic. My oldest son's birthday is the first week of December so we were busy planning and holding his party. Then we started getting things in order for decorating and finalizing all of our shopping. It's now New Year's Eve and I've spent the day playing Wii with my wonderful husband. Our boys have watched us and cheered us on all day. Now it's their turn to play while we relax and unwind.

Now it's time to start all over with a brand new year! I've been getting a jump on 2010 over the past few days. I always make a resolution at 12:01 am but I never manage to keep it. This is one time I'm actually going follow through. I've been very conscious of what I've been eating and I feel completely different. I've been waking up earlier than usual without the aid of an alarm clock, which is highly unusual for me. I've also been feeling more active, which is good but it's been raining cats and dogs here lately.

I'm looking forward to 2010 for a number of reasons. To start, I graduate with my bachelor's degree in 3 months! I'm so excited about that because I'll have a bit more time with the family and for myself. I'm going back for my MBA in the fall of 2010 so I have the summer to spend more quality time with my boys.

I'm also planning to lose weight and keep it off this year, come hell or high water! I figure that I can be down to about 200 pounds by summer (June or July). That's losing an average of 3 pounds per week each month starting now. That's totally attainable and I'm going to work my butt off to make it happen!

As a result of earning my bachelor's degree in 3 months, I'm hoping to get a raise at work. That will really come in handy because my husband and I are going to start house hunting at the first of the year. Right now, we live with my father-in-law and it's not an ideal situation. I cannot wait to get away from him and not have anyone try to boss me around. This is another thing I wouldn't recommend to anyone with small children.

I'm going to get better about tracking my food intake and exercising. I know that's the only way to lose weight and keep it off. It's time I look the way I feel - GREAT! Here's to a successful 2010 to all of you!

Holiday Insights

2009-12-30T10:41:00.001-05:00

The last time I wrote, I had shingles. Thankfully, they're gone and I'm feeling so great! I've started taking a vitamin every morning now and I think it's definitely helping me.

Well, Christmas is over and we're gearing up for New Year's. I'm totally excited about 2010 because so many changes are going to take place for me. Business is going to be better than ever and I'm finally committed to getting healthy.

Christmas was almost perfect here! We didn't get to New York because of so many things working against us. Oye! It was one thing after another. No worries. We were a bit bummed but we didn't let it get to us. We got to go shopping so we all but forgot about NY.

During our shopping trip the day after Christmas, I was painfully reminded of just how big I really am. I needed to get some clothes and I hate shopping for clothes. I haven't bought clothes since last Christmas. The jeans I bought last year are too small and I didn't even look at jeans this year. I bought some nice tops and several pairs of knit workout pants.

My husband immediately noticed a change in my attitude when I was looking for clothes. I was in a good mood until that point. Then, all of a sudden, my mood changed drastically. I wasn't necessarily in a bad mood, or at least I didn't want to be, but he thought I was. All I wanted to do was cry.

I never wanted to be one of those women who had to buy special sizes because I'm so big. But, that's exactly what I am. Since Christmas, I've been keeping a closer eye on what I eat. I've been eating what I normally do but I've been watching my portions. When I start to feel full, I push my plate away.

I think that's one of the most difficult things for me. With the way the economy is and all the people who don't have food, I feel really bad about eating all that I took. My husband told me that I need to learn how to fix my plate in new ways, which really makes sense.

The holidays are usually pretty stressful for and this year was no different. Although I was stressed this year, I didn't let it get to me like I normally would. I'm on vacation now from work and school so I'm trying to catch up on all the things I enjoy but never seem to have the time to do.

'Tis the season for resolutions that we always make but never seem to keep. I'm going to make a resolution this year but it's going to be something extremely realistic. I'm going to make more time for myself and my family. If that means I have to restructure some things, so be it. I'm tired of being strapped to my computer all the time. I'm going to start using my time more wisely than I've been, which is only going to make things better for me; professionally and personally.

I'd love to hear your resolutions for 2010. Feel free to share them! I wish you all the best for 2010!

Day 1

2009-12-08T12:33:00.001-05:00

It's day one and I haven't been too bad. So far today, I've had toast, coffee, a PB&J sandwich, and a Hershey's with Almonds candy bar. Hmmm....candy bar? Yeah, I know. The one thing I've learned is to NEVER deprive yourself of anything. If you do deprive yourself you're more likely to binge later.

I've been dealing with some things lately that normally would have made me eat anything and everything. Right now, I'm dealing with shingles (adult chicken pox), which is just as fun as chicken pox. I'm also planning a trip to New York for the weekend after Christmas.

So, I'm really stressed these days but that's pretty normal. I've been swamped with work and busy with school, which adds to me stress. I'm an emotional eater and stress is one of those emotions that makes me eat.

You know, it really frustrates me that the healthy foods are more expensive than the other foods. Maybe instead of imposing a fat tax on certain foods, the government should work to lower the costs of the healthier foods. Just my opinion...

Funds are limited these days with Christmas coming and we just don't have a lot of money to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. I'm making do with the things I do have but it gets tough. I've realized that I'm the type of person who wants all or nothing. If I can't have the healthy foods, what's the sense in dieting? That's where I'm coming from.

I'm trying to get a handle on my eating before I move on to exercising. I've got a treadmill and a home gym. I can't access my treadmill because some furniture is in front of it. We had to do that because we put up the Christmas tree. The home gym is out in my father-in-law's garage. He's out there all the time so I try to stay out.

I have a meeting in about 10 minutes so I had better get going.

Preparing to Find Me

2009-12-07T21:31:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my blog! It is here where I will document my progress to finding myself. Happy reading!

My life is just as hectic as the next person's but I've decided it's time for me to take control. I'm not going to sit around and watch life pass me by anymore. It's time for an extreme makeover!

I've struggled with my weight since I was about 13 years old. I believe that most of my weight issues were triggered by some childhood problems. Right now, I'm bigger than I've ever been. I'm not a child anymore and it's high time I get my butt in gear and make my goals happen.

I come from a big family. I mean big in every sense of the word. My father is severely obese, was diagnosed with diabetes, had both of his knees replaced, and had some open heart surgery. This is all hearsay as I don't speak to my father.

My mom is overweight and was diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years ago, at age 38. She's fighting it again and will be undergoing a double mastectomy in February.

My grandparents are of average size, I think, compared to my parents. My maternal grandparents have both suffered strokes and my grandfather had his voice box removed last year. My grandmother has severe lung issues and can't get around very well.

My paternal grandparents are divorced. My grandmother lives in Florida with her current husband and has had a rough time since last year. She's going through a triple bypass and surgery on her carotid arteries. My grandfather lives near me and recently had a bout with heart problems, which has left him with a pacemaker.

So, there's not much that doesn't run in my family. The list of what we don't have is shorter. As a result of all of this, and a few issues of my own, I'm bound and determined to be as healthy as I can possibly be.

My Stats

Currently, I am:

29 years old
5'8" tall
273 pounds

I am a full time mother, student, and virtual assistant. I don't like to get up early and would rather stay up late. I enjoy peace and quiet. I think that's because I don't get much of that. I live with my husband, 2 boys, and my father-in-law. I spend what little free time I do have with the family and cleaning the house.

I've come to realize that if I don't take care of myself, I may not be around as long as I want to be for my family. While I'm getting healthy for myself, my children are my driving force. I don't want to leave them any sooner than absolutely necessary.

Ok, so that's me. There's a lot more to tell but that will come in time.