Safe Snackin' Sunday

A couple of quick safer snackin' ideas for you!

*Add a quarter of a tablespoon of cocoa powder to your plain greek yogurt.
*Top Multi-grain flat bread with fat free refried beans, salsa and one once of fat free shredded cheddar cheese.  Microwave for 45 seconds to a minute for Mexican pizza.
*A piece of fresh fruit is always a winner!

Until next time with more Safe Snackin' ideas I bid you blessings and healthy munchin'!

A Special Thank You!

I would like to take just a moment to thank Mr. Billy Belinc my amazing other half.  My first weigh-in was at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning.  It had snowed quite a bit and it was about 16 degrees outside.  He got up with me and walked me to my weigh-in.  He walked the entire way ahead of me trying to move the snow out of my way so that my feet wouldn't get too wet.  The second weigh-in was at 6:15 a.m. and again he was awake and walking with me.  It was him who held my hand all the way home while I cried over the results.  Too him I owe so much.  I love you bunches Billy!  Thank you for all of your support!

Weighing In

First Weigh-In with Mike Navin

Proof That I Weigh Too Much!

I'm sorry that I haven't written in a bit.  We have lots to cover!  I had my first and second weigh-ins with Mr. Mike Navin of Lean Body Fitness, LLC in Wyandotte.  He has been kind enough to be an official of sorts to make sure my weigh-ins are legit.  He has set up a schedule to meet me before he goes in to work on Friday mornings.  We are talking 6:15 a.m. folks.  Now that is a very nice man! 

We are meeting at Tongue's 2958 Biddle Avenue in Wyandotte with permission from their wonderful owner.  Mr. Navin weighs me in and then I get to enjoy one of their wonderful caffeine free, organic teas made locally in Trenton.  I tried the Moroccan Spice and I am SOLD!  It was the best treat.

Ok, back to business.  My first weigh-in was 266 lbs.  All of this time and I was still the same weight!  I didn't get discouraged though.  My sugar values have gone from a consistant 300-400+ down to a much more healthy 100-200.  This is HUGE in my journey.  I stayed focused on that.

My next weigh-in was much less successful.  I have been virtually without caffeine drinks of any kind and eating a 1200-1400 calorie diet for about 4 weeks.  I have been following an exercise schedule, though light in nature, effective I would guess.  Well, the next weigh-in showed a 4 lb gain!  I thought I was going to have a nervous break down!  I cried all the way home from that weigh-in.  No need to sugar coat how horrible that was to see.  I have been trying so much harder than I can even say.  My family spent the day trying to console my bruised ego. 

Interesting thing is that I have a new found energy for the whole thing.  The entire journey was to get me healthy and my sugar values are almost normal in just 4 weeks time after having me close to death's door all of the time.  REJOICE I say!!!!  Fat or thin is neither here nor there.  I just want to be alive and healthy to be with my babies. 

Today I carry on with my quest in the spirit that I began it.  Onward and upward!  Keep calm and carry on!  Lots of other cliches!  I will keep on this healthier path that I am on regardless of my ability to fit into a bikini.  Let's face it no matter how cute I am no one wants to see that at my age anyway! HA!

I weigh in again on Friday at 6:15 a.m. and I'm sure that this time we will see a change.  I have more energy and my positive outlook is even more charged than ever.

God bless and healthy munchin'!

Being Prepared

We all know the importance of being prepared for things.  If we are speaking of our jobs or our families we are very good at being prepared.  For instance I have never used a set of jumper cables but sure as sugar they are in my car.  So let's talk about being prepared when we are dieting.  Superbowl Sunday was really rough around here.  My family was thrilled to be making all sorts of goodies to snack on for this occasion. (Disclaimer: Neither of them really like football! LOL) Anyway, the house was jam packed with things that I should never eat.  However, I was prepared.  I had good for me snacks to handle whatever cravings their snacks may send my way.  My favorite low-cal frozen dinner makes a garlic spring roll.  Those were a huge help in getting past the need for junk food.  I had chocolate rice cakes handy for sweet crunchy fun and I had cucumber slices and hummus to get me through the chips and dip.  All in all it was a successful dieting day.  The point is that I was prepared.  You need to be prepared every day for every meal or snack.  You should know every time you head for that kitchen exactly what you are going in for.  If you let yourself look around for something to eat you will find trouble. 

Here are my suggestions.  You need to treat this like you are training for a new skill.  We aren't just talking about losing 5-10lbs to fit into a dress for a special occasion.  We are talking about changing how you live to keep you healthy.  You need to get educated on how to eat and when to eat.  Also, it is a good idea to get out of your comfort zone here.  You need to try new foods.  Stop looking for a replacement for chicken strips.  Get rid of the idea of them all together!  There are so many foods out there that are packed with protein that can put away any more need for those crazy strips.

*  Sit down and write out a menu for the week including snacks.
*  Hit the grocery store to make sure that you have all of your ingredients.
*  Do your prep work before the week starts so you aren't taking too long to prepare.
*  Try new recipes to keep from getting bored.
*  Keep quick snacks on hand to keep you out of unexpected hurdles. (cake and cookies at the office)

One last note for you.  I have been using a website to diet this time.  So far I have found it to be very useful to me.  It is very detailed and gives me a place to track my sugar values.  I love how user friendly it is and it is FREE to use!  I suggest that if you are still looking for a diet to follow that you give this site a look.  http://www.sparkpeople.com/

Blessings and happy snackin'!