Rescue Me

Today was a VERY busy day for me. I got up early (7am on day off), immediately got to work, I made the laundry soap for my work, my dad is VERY excited about it. Then I went to walmart and picked up a couple of essentials. Came home put them away, sat on the couch and vegged for a bit catching up on emails, reading blogs etc then I went and cleaned out my car which was in DESPERATE need of needing cleaning. Then I drove to meet my new dog. Her name is Lilly (*subject to change as that is already the name of my guinea pig---considering Tawny or Shellie--Shellie is the name of a Golden Retriever that comes to the vet I work at that was missing for 4 years and found because of a Microchip --You can read about Shellie the missing Golden Retriever HERE) It was an awesome experience when the shelter called me to verify who the dog belonged to I seriously got goose bumps! Lilly reminds me of Shellie before Shellie went missing --her physical features etc) Anyways that's besides the point, Lilly is a 7 month old Golden Retriever who has a shoulder condition (Osteochondritis Dissecans), which is basically she has a piece of cartilage that has detached from the bone so causing her pain. Her owners due to the financial crisis of the economy can't afford surgery (which is normally $1700.00 PER shoulder) but didn't want to put her to sleep so they put her up for adoption on a local classifieds site. I saw her ad and felt a 'nagging' to rescue her. My dad is a Veterinarian so the surgery won't be a problem, and he gives me a nice discount as well. Lilly is a sweetie, she is only 7 months old yet is very well trained, she sits & waits for her dinner and waits until you release her to start eating it. After she has her surgeries (one in the next week or so) then the other shoulder in about 4-6 weeks) and has recovered she will make an excellent exercise companion. Right now she weighs about 53#, she is probably going to be around 70# full grown.

Then as I'm coming home from picking her up, my hubby called and wanted me to go pick up his pills from Walmart as well as take care of rent, then texts me that his head was killing him, so I offered to bring him his pills (blood pressure ones he's been out of for a week thanks to an idiot Physicians Assistant). So I took him his pills and we enjoyed a few minutes on the bench outside his work, it was nice. Then I came home did a few things on my to do list, made some dinner, got my exercise in and am just about to head to bed.

Sizzling For Summer Week 4 Check in

Starting: 211.6#
203.0# Last Week
203.0# Today's weight
Pounds Lost this week: -0.00#
Total Lost for this challenge -8.6#

Considering how badly I've done with staying on plan this week, I'm glad that I didn't gain 100#. It was seriously a BAD week. I think it's pms coming on cause I just can't get enough to eat. ARGH! I hate it!

Since I didn't do so hot with my goals from last week, I'm keeping them the same.
Next Weeks Goals:
1- Exercise Daily
2- Don't give in to easter candy temptations (even though they are low carb) as it's not worth the gut ache the sugar alcohols are giving me.
3- Track eating better (I was doing better when I was blogging daily.)
4- Blog Daily, I have been slacking on the keeping track and finding motivation in my Lean For Life book each day and it really helps.

Tuckered out on Tuesday

Today was busy at work, I groomed several dogs, and I'm really starting to enjoy it more and more. I love taking the 'messy' beast and turning them into a beaty. I will have to post some pictures for y'all to see.

Food Intake Meals & Snacks:
B: 3 Hot Dogs 2 String Cheese
L: Salad w/greens, nuts, guacamole, low carb dressing
D: Bread Crumb Chicken
Snacks: Pepperoni, Cheese Sticks, Almonds

Blessing my body with loving movement:
Today we had the dog show training class and it wore my butt out! My legs were like Jello afterwards, the class lasted 1 hour and was outside, and little miss Jewel (the dog) was being a FIRECRACKER on steroids. She was SO hyper and hyped up. She is definitely a 'look at me, look at me' type of dog. Poodles are so funny with their antics. Anyways I was going to come home and exercise but my legs said otherwise. I couldn't hardly move.

Do Something About it!

Are you frustrated and burned out? What are you going to do about it?

Is there something you really want to achieve? What are you going to do about it?

Have you just become aware of an incredible opportunity? What are you going to do about it?

What are you going to do today, right this moment? What actions will you take to end your frustration, to achieve your dream, to take advantage of opportunity?

Success and achievement depend not on how much you complain, or on your ability to garner sympathy from others, but on what you do. And right now is the time to start.

Go ahead and move beyond the frustration, begin to work toward the dream, and make the most of your best possibilities. Go ahead right now and do something positive and effective about it.

-- Ralph Marston

Read more: "The Daily Motivator - Do something about it" - http://greatday.com/motivate/090401.html#ixzz0DHGyMqQH&A

This is something that came into my in box a while ago, and I really like it. I think that today I fully 'did something about it'. I exercised not only 1 time today but twice today. I feel great!

Food Intake Meals & Snacks:
B: Left over Steak
L: Salad w/greens, nuts, guacamole, low carb dressing
D: Pork Chop, Salad, Garlic Butter Noodles (low carb)
Snacks: Pepperoni, Cheese Sticks, Banana Bread 1 slice

Blessing my body with loving movement:
I didn't really feel the 'burn' like I normally do from my morning workout, and I've been itching to see if my Chihuahua can keep up with me on a walk, so I went again this evening. He didn't really keep up with the pace I would have liked to have gone, but did good, so I had to slow down a bit, but he did pretty good.
30 Minutes (2 Miles) Walk Slim DVD (in morning)
30 Minute walk outside with my dog, Sebastian

STOP the Cravings! ARGH!

So I know I haven't blogged for the past few days, I've been a little stressed, a little in the slumps (depression), and have been in a Jelly Belly daze so to speak. I am stressed as my hubby is going to graveyard shift (they are doing away with swing shift), and I really do not like/feel comfortable being home alone at night without the 'comfort' of a big dog. Those who know us know that my hubby is NOT a huge fan of big dogs....so I'm working on him :) My face is breaking out in acne so bad right now and it's the horrible kind that leave marks, UGH! I have been coming home, sitting in front of the TV and digging in to the Jelly Bellies, amazingly enough I haven't gained a hundred pounds this week, just a few since my weigh in (which I'm diligently trying to lose)....which makes me even more depressed. But on a good note, I am an Aunt again, my older brother Danny & his wife Kristy had their 6th kid yesterday, a girl, not sure on the name yet. They don't find out what it is until she has them. They have 2 boys and 4 girls now much to the eldest boys dismay, he really wanted another brother :). Anyways on to the subject of my blog post today. I am fighting so bad with the cravings right now, it's been heck on wheels on me. I am taking this from the Lean for Life Book on how to STOP those insane cravings we all have.

STOP: Visualize a stop sign and hear the word "Stop." Immediately Stop what you are doing
TAKE: Take a deep cleansing breath. This creates a "window of opportunity" during which you can become aware of the temptation you're facing and can start over.
OBSERVE: your situation, yourself, and your options. What's going on? How are you feeling? Are you hungry, angry, lonely, tired? What are you wanting? What are you needing? What really matters to you? What choices do you have? What actions will help you move toward what's really important to you?
PLAN: of action. Choose a plan of Action based on one or more of the options available to you, and put that plan into operation. Shift the focus away from food by doing something: taking a walk, calling a friend, sitting quietly for five minutes and letting your attention rest on breathing, going window shopping, listening to music, working on a project, or reviewing your Motivator Cards to remind yourself why becoming Lean for Life is important to you.

If you find yourself thinking "I'm tired of not eating what I want --I'm going to have a treat" make an active choice to focus on the benefits of maintaining your Plan of Action. Let yourself hear whatever voices inside of you are suggesting that you abandon or sabotage your Lean for Life program, and pause long enough to acknowledge and respond to those voices. Encourage yourself as you would a close friend.

OLD WAY: Food thought or craving --> Give In --> Eat --> Feel Guilty --> Give up
NEW WAY: Food though or craving --> STOP! --> Take a Deep Breath --> Observe --> Plan of Action

The more often you do this the more easily and effectively you'll be able to do it. That's because after you do something successfully again and again, it starts becoming spontaneous and natural. It becomes part of you, It becomes a habit.

I hope you don't mind me sharing the tips that I am learning from my book, they help me, and writing them/typing them out, help me stay on track even more.

Making Excuses

I think I have found EVER excuse in the book this week as to why I can't exercise. Lets see
1- Gas because of Sugar Free Candies, so my belly hurt
2- Got home late (had dog class so that was sort of exercise)
3- Too tired because I didn't get to bed on time
4- It was easter, why exercise on a holiday?

Well I am SICK of my own excuses. I am NOT going to let the excuses win ANY more. Here are my 'combats' to my own excuses
1- Gas becuase of Sugar Free Candies...that's easy...DO NOT eat the sugar free candies
2- Got Home Late, I was still up for 2 hours, that is PLENTY of time to get in a 30 minute WATP DVD, it was just an excuse to get me not to exercise
3- Too Tired, exercise gives you energy, so that would have helped with the tiredness. As for the getting to bed on time, Hubby right now works Swing shift so gets home at 10:00pm and I like to spend time with him. He is switching to Graves in 2 weeks, so therefore I won't have to stay up to see him
4- Who says you can't exercise on a holiday? What a way to celebrate it by blessing my body with loving movement.

So my goal for this next week is to get at least 5 days of exercise in.

Frugal Tip of the day....

I found a link to make your own Laundry Soap off of my friends page on Facebook:
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
Or a Video made by someone else: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/821928/make_your_own_laundry_soap/
The ingredients are:
1 Bar of Ivory Soap unless you can find the Fels Naptha Laundry Soap then 1/3 bar
1/2 cup of Borax
& 1/2 cup of Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
& Water
***We doubled the Borax and Soda for added cleansing power.

It made 2 gallons and we figured out it cost us $1.12 to make 2 gallons which is 64 loads using 1/2 cup which equates to $.02 per LOAD of laundry. Lately I've been using Gain Expressions for $4.75 for a 24 load bottle which is 20 cents per load. I use one of these per 3 weeks. Its gonna save us so much money, and was super easy to do. I estimate that the 2 gallons is going to last us at least 3-4 months.

And if you are wondering if it actually works, I am on my 3rd load with it, my whites came out so much brighter and cleaner, hubbys handkerchiefs are brighter and cleaner! I'm very impressed. They are less stained as well.

Sizzling For Summer Week 3 Checkin

Starting: 211.6#
204.8# Last Week
203.0# Today's weight
Pounds Lost this week: -1.8#
Total Lost for this challenge -8.6#

I didn't do as well on the exercise front this week, and you can tell with my weight loss. I was so worried I was going to gain, but I didn't phew.

Next Weeks Goals:
1- Exercise Daily
2- Don't give in to easter candy temptations (even though they are low carb) as it's not worth the gut ache the sugar alcohols are giving me.
3- Track eating better (I was doing better when I was blogging daily.)
4- Blog Daily, I have been slacking on the keeping track and finding motivation in my Lean For Life book each day and it really helps.

Sizzling for Summer Week 2 Challenge Healthy Recipe

One of my favorite comfort meals is cream of mushroom soup with chicken over rice. Since I am on low carb diet, I missed the rice. Until I found a recipe for Cauliflowerd Rice http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbsidedishes/r/caulirice.htm

So here's how I make it:
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts cooked and shredded (I season with Garlic & Onion Powder, and Seasoned Salt)
2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 empty soup can of Sour Cream

Cook the chicken & shred, add soup & sour cream, mix all together. Serve over rice or noodles....or low carbers cauliflowered Rice :)

***Added as I use the 97% or 98% fat free soups so that cuts back on fat :)

Faith in your dieting????

Sheila asked a question over on her blog today: So, here is a plea from me to you ~ how to do bring God and your faith into your "diet"? Do you? I have "faith", but I surely need someone more experienced to help me.

I am a firm believer that you cannot do it alone, you have to have faith, but you must also have the works to go along with it. I don't feel like you can lose weight by faith alone (although wouldn't that be a nice though? I honestly believe in this verse from the bible:
James 2:17-26

¹⁷Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

¹⁸Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

¹⁹Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

²⁰But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

²¹Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

²²Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

²³And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

²⁴Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

²⁵Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

²⁶For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith without the works to go along with it is dead, meaning you must do the work AND have the faith in order to rely on God for your weight loss journeys. Which means, you can't stuff your face full of crappy fattening foods, candy, and the likes, sit on the couch all day and do nothing, drink soda etc and pray that you lose weight (that is unless you have the metabolism of my oldest brother Danny who can eat anything without gaining weight). You must pray for his help, to have strength to overcome and avoid temptations but you must also put forth some works/effort in your weight loss, you must eat healthy (whatever works for you whether it be calorie counting, low carbing, weight watchers, etc), you must be active and exercise, and you must drink enough water so your body can process the food you put into it.

So I hope this helps. I am a firm believer in the fact that you must have 'faith & works' and not just faith alone. God is standing at the door knocking, we have to open it and let him into our lives, and allow him to help us.

Happy Easter!

The Jelly Bean Prayer

I really have always loved this! Anyways I hope you all had a great Easter. Rob and I got some sort of food poisoning and spent the majority of the day in the bathroom, I guess as a bonus, it means that since everything was passing straight through...I didn't gain weight :) My family has a dinner almost every major holiday, I had taken some immodium and felt well enough to go, although hindsight 20/20 probably should have stayed home. Rob stayed home. My sister put about $60.00 in many different plastic easter eggs around my parents front yard, we only had 2 Grandkids there, one is 3& 1/2 the other I believe is 2, they had a blast. Then we had dinner, (see below) it was really good. My mom made a 5 Minute Key Lime Pie and boy was it yummy! It used 'low' fat Jello, Yogurt and Whipped Topping, and I ate it without the crust so that helped cut back on the carbs. It was SO good. Here's the recipe: Recipe for 5 Minute Key Lime Pie

April 12^th Weight Loss Day #6

B: 2 Hot Dog Links, Apple Actual: 2 Bratwursts, Chili, Onions, Cheese
L: See Above
D: Ham, Cheesy Taters (Funeral Potatoes), Green Bean Casserole, Roll, Key Lime Pie Dessert (Low fat)
Snacks: Cheese Sticks, Hard Boiled Eggs x2, 1 Chocolate Caramel Egg, 2 Peanut Butter Eggs

56 Things you never knew

I am responding to Sheila's blog today:
1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30am (slept in)
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Gran Torino
4. What is your favorite TV show? CSI (All 3 Vegas, NY, Miami
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Microwave Scrambled eggs w/ham or bacon & cheese
6.What is your middle name? Elizabeth
7. What food do you dislike? Okra
8. What kind of car do you drive? 2004 White Chevy Malibu Classic
9. Favorite sandwich? Turkey or Roast beef, and even before I was low carbing I would eat it without the bun, my body and I dislike bread.
10. What characteristic do you despise? Phonyness
11. favorite item of clothing? Lounge Pants
12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation? France, England or Australia
13. Favorite brand of clothing? Cheap ;)
14. Where would you retire to? Anywhere with dh
15. What was your most memorable birthday? Bad Memory or good? Bad was when my best friend accidentally told me my boyfriend was cheating on me. Good, probably with my hubby, he makes them all memorable
16. Favorite sport to watch? Dislike watching sports IMMENSELY, unless it is a dog show :)
17. Furthest place you are sending this? Canada
18. Person you expect to send it back first? Don't know!
19. When is your birthday? September 25th
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? More a night person
21. What is your shoe size? Shrinking...was 9 & 1/2 but am 8 & 1/2 now
22. Pets? Yes 2 Dogs --Chihuahuas Zoey & Sebastian, Lots of cats: DeeJay, Mini Dee, Munchie, Mittens, Sissy, Pipsqueak, 2 Guinea Pigs Lilly & Ginny & lots of budgies & lovebirds
23. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Not really
24. What did you want to be when you were little? A Veterinarian
25. How are you today? Annoyed (with my staff at work) but doing okay
26. What is your favorite candy? Take 5 Candy Bars
27. What is your favorite flower? roses
28. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? August 24th (hubby's b-day)
29. What's your full name? Heather Elizabeth Thompson
30. What are you listening to right now? Country Music on internet radio
31. What was the last thing you ate? A Cheese Stick
32. Do you wish on stars? No
33. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple, Regal, Beautiful & Crisp
34. How is the weather right now? Overcast but warm (59 degrees)
35. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? A client
36. Favorite soft drink? Coke Zero or Diet Coke
37. Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden (hubby HATES it with a passion)
38. Real hair color? Brown with natural blondish highlights
39. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie dolls & my cats
40. Summer or winter? summer UGH I hate winter
41. Hugs or kisses? both
42. Chocolate or Vanilla? Depends
43. Coffee or tea? Herbal Tea, the smell of coffee makes me nauseated to the point that even walking down the coffee aisle at the store upsets my tummy.
44. Do you want your friends to email you back? Nah! Just post on your blog if you want to!
45. When was the last time you cried? Today (we had to put a dog to sleep who didn't really need to be euthanized just because the owners were cheapskates, but the dog had been SUFFERING for a month with a NASTY uterus infection so badly to the point she was just basically oozing pus, blood and blod clots from her pee pee, mind you this is 3 years AFTER we told them if they didn't spay her she was going to get Pyometra GRRRRRRR)
46. What is under your bed? Not sure...do I really want to look?
47. What did you do last night? Spent night cuddling with hubby catching up on CSI shows
48. What are you afraid of? SPIDERS, Preymantis, Grasshoppers....EWWWW!
49. Salty or sweet? salty
50. How many keys on your key ring? 6
51. How many years at your current job? 20+ (I've worked for my dad since I was 11 years old)
52. Favorite day of the week? Sunday & any day off!
53. How many towns have you lived in? 11 Towns: 3-- 1 for 18+ years, 1 for about 6 months in college, one for about 6 years Until I went on my mission then 4 on my mission in West Virginia/Virginia, and 3 since
54. Do you make friends easily? No, I am VERY VERY shy in person. But once you get to know me WATCH out!
55. How many people will you send this to? Whoever reads it on my blog
56. How many will respond? I am not psychic, I dont know! (good answer Sheila!)

This was really fun to fill out! I hope others post as well!

Happy Anniversary to me!

It's our anniversary today! 4 Glorious years. It's my normal day off and Rob was lucky enough to get the day off so we could spend it together. We spent the day snuggled on the couch watching TV, and we had homemade pizza for lunch, are having Steaks w/baked potatoes me--> Loaded Broccoli instead, salad for dinner. We are going out to eat at Outback Steakhouse on Monday (Thanks to my sisters: Jen--she gave me a gift certificate for making Bandanas for her, and thanks Lara as she gave me some $$ for printing her up some stuff.). We may try to see a movie as well. I have attached some of my favorite pictures from our wedding....not all of my favorites though :) I was about 160# at my wedding size 10 dress. I felt really good, but probably could have lost a little more and been happy.

Weigh N Measure Week 3

This weeks Measurements for the Measuring Up for Summer Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
• Chest 34 & 1/4"
• Waist 34 & 3/4"
• Belly 38 & 1/2"
• Hip 47"
• Thigh 29 & 1/2" Left 28 3/4" Right
• Upper Arm 14 & 3/4" Left 14 & 1/4" Right
Inches Lost this week: 8.25"
Total Inchese Lost: 12.75"

This weeks Weight for the March into Spring Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
Last weeks Weight 208.6#
This weeks Weight 204.6#
# lost this week: 4.0#
Total # for this challenge: 5.4#

Sizzling for Summer Weigh In Week 2 Starts

211.6# Starting
204.8# Today's weight
Pounds Lost this week: -6.8#
Total Lost for this challenge -6.8#

What went well:
***On Plan: I restarted my LFL diet and did exceptionally well, with only 2 cheats for the week. Which is a HUGE improvement over my norm.
***Exercise: I exercised every day which is a MIRACLE for me. I seriously woke up feeling 'skinnier' after the 3rd day of exercise
***Focus: I am more aware of what I am putting into my mouth.
***Weight: Yes I lost a considerable amount for 1 week, however I was also finishing up TOM in which I normally gain up to 5# each month with so the water weight went down, as well as adding exercise. Both those things helped.
***Sodas: I have cut back considerably, am only have maximum of 2 Diet cokes per day, I do drink some of the RC Diet Cola the stuff that's sweetened with Splenda and has no caffeine. This is coming from a Diet coke addict who can EASILY clear at least 6-12 a day.
***Learning: By reading my Lean for Life Diet book and others blogs I am learning SO much. It's awesome

What to improve on:
Cheats: NO cheats. Have some 'handy' snacks to just grab n go. Plan ahead, we are going out to eat on Monday for our anniversary (which is tomorrow April 9th --4 Years).
Sleep: I need to go to bed earlier (I'm getting 5 hours of sleep)
Me time: need to relax as well to 'destress'
Exercise: Figure out and start a 'jogging' program
Easter Sunday: Not use the 'holiday' as an excuse to go hog wild, and stick to my diet, as otherwise I know I will gain 50# :)

Dogs kicking my butt....

My sister has a show dog, a silver standard poodle named Jewel. Jen has asked me to show her in the AKC Conformation shows for her (like the ones you see on TV). Well we enrolled her in a handling class so she can get used to the ring environment etc. Tonight was the first lesson. And OMG, I forgot how much moving they do. Basically everyone runs (when I say RUN, I mean RUN!) around the ring showing off their dogs. The class was for an hour, and I think we ran around the ring at least 12 times if not more. Jewel is a mover, I'm gonna have to get faster to keep up with her. She's still very much a puppy (just turned 8 months old), so is still silly, and inquisitive about everything, wants to play play play so it's going to be fun :) I'm going to have to start jogging so I can keep up with her. She's FAST! . She has a show coming up here locally the 1st weekend in May. So we've got a lot to do until then. Hopefully we'll be ready! We have to find something she likes as 'bait', Strider (my sisters finished Champion) was VERY picky and really only liked grilled chicken strips....which although are healthy aren't the most practical to cart around at dog shows. Here is the pretty dog, that's my older sister with her (and yes she needs some more love and happiness in her life ;).

Today was a bit stressful at work but I didn't let it get to me, just 'grusfrabah'd' the situation and moved on. (I fired a client of ours...she REFUSED to leave her dogs for grooming for longer than 1 hour), we can get them out fast but not have 2 dogs bathed, dried, clipped etc in less than 1 hour. It was a mess but she ended up picking her dogs up WET cause I had already had them bathed when she was upset. Anyways that's besides the point. ....I'm just proud of myself. Also it is one of my workers birthdays today, so I am making a cake, and got ice cream for tomorrows staff meeting....and I'm quite proud of myself, while I won't be having any cake, I did get the Carb Smart Ice Cream so I can at least have a little of that.

Does anyone know of a 'start your jogging' routine? I am NOT a jogger but apparantly I might need to start. I do have arthritis in my ankles, knees, hips, hands etc (yep I know I'm a youngun...had it since 19 basically). My dr thinks that part of my problem is Vit D deficiency that I've had a lot of symptoms of since I was in Jr. High. Anyways..sorry for rambling.

Food Intake Meals & Snacks: Protein Day #4
*I'm supposed to do 3 protein days, but I sort of cheated last night and had a sprite float, I couldn't resist, so to kick my body back into ketosis I did another protein day today.

B: 3 eggs, Bacon pieces, 2 deli ham slices, 1 T cheese
L: 1 Salmon Patty
D: 3 Hot dog links with cheese
Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

Blessing my Body with Loving Movement: (Exercise):
1 hour of Dog Show running around :)
Stability Ball DVD Strength exercises (figured I got my cardio in with the class).
10 Minute firming exercises

Weight: 205.0#

New Progress Pictures!

I'm in my 14's they are tight in some places but these are my ALL TIME favorite pants, they make me feel young and skinny, mind you I just noticed that they are a 'misses 14', not sure if that's going to make a difference in size. These are a pair of pants that I was wearing when hubby and I met, they were lots looser on me then. In July 2008, I was a tight 22! I do hold my weight very well, and my biggest problem areas are my butt, tummy and thighs. My upper body is pretty slim, well except my arms. My calves are large but they are mostly muscular, I've never been able to wear boots that go up over my calves because of that. I am feeling a thigh gap coming on. I have noticed that I'm not wearing out my scrub pants at my thighs as quickly now. YEAH! I would always wear a whole in the upper inside thigh part.

Taken Last Wednesday:


This was in August at 228.8#

This was around my highest 250#
:

Many blessings on monday

Today was a good day. I went to the Dr. with my hubby for a followup on his sleep study. He has Sleep Apnea you can read more about it on my personal family blog here: http://robnheather.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-update-on-rob.html

I must say that I know that God's hand has been in Rob's doctors and care lately, we are getting to the bottom of his issues (Blood Pressure, Asthma, Sleep Apnea) and getting him on the road to better health (and added longevity).

I have been doing Flylady's baby steps for about a month now, and am really enjoying it. My house is MUCH better as well, I don't come home frustrated because it's a mess. It's so easy to do the 1 hour Home Blessing Hour. I still have a little bit to go like the upstairs (office, scrapbook room, master bath) and then the basement storage mess.

Food Intake Meals & Snacks: Protein Day #3 of 3
B: 3 eggs, Bacon pieces, 2 deli ham slices, 1 T cheese
(I'm only supposed to have 1 protein serving but I am on medications and If I don't eat more I get sick and toss my cookies shortly after taking medications.)
L: 3 Hot dog links
D: Chipless Nachos
Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

Blessing my Body with Loving Movement: (Exercise):
30 Minutes Elliptical

Weight: 205.0#

Pizza Pizza anyone?

I have to add...I told Rob I was doing the "Sizzling Hot for Summer Challenge" and his reply was "Why, you are already sizzling, get any hotter and I'll get burned". LOL. Such a sweetie I love my husband....he's such the practical joker. He keeps things 'interesting' to say, the least. We have discovered how to make a 'really' easy pizza using Pita breads as the crust, I'm on my protein day so am avoiding carbs, so I just ate the toppings. Anyways the pizza on the right is the one he made for me....it's on a ritz cracker :) He pulled this trick a while back with "Sprite" Floats...see here: http://robnheather.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-husband-and-i-are-equals-in-every.html
t
There are a couple of great quotes in my Lean for Life book I'd like to share today:
"Motivation is a decision. Remind youreself several times every day why you'weightve decided to become lean for life."
"Losing weight---and keeping it off--has at least as much to do with what we put in our minds as what we put in our mouths."
Both quotes are from Dr. Stamper.
Anyways they just hit home with me today as I really believe that what you tell yourself affects how you act. I tend to sabotage myself a lot, and I'm really trying to overcome this. I am making many adjustments/behavioral changes etc in order to become "Lean for Life" and in order to get this weight off, so I can be healthier, and make it easier on my body to have a baby if that's in God's plans for me.

April 5^th Protein Day #2

B: 2 Eggs, 1 Sausage Patty
L: Pizza Toppings
D: Salmon Patty w/cheese
Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

Exercise: 30 Min Walk Away the Pounds (I was going to not exercise today, but I just felt like it so I did)

Weight: 205.2# Woot Woot! This is my lowest so far with this journey! YEAH!

Here are my cutie pies: L-R: Munchie, Pipsqueak and then DeeJay is the one on the kitchen table. Munchie is 2 years old, Pipsqueak is 10 months and DeeJay is 9 years old. Can you tell we were in the kitchen cooking? This is Munchie's 'favorite' chair and he plays 'cute' so he will get little tidbits.

Mind over matter.....

"What lies before you and what lies behind you are tiny matters compared to what lies within you." Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is from my Lean for Life Book:
Words can make you blush. Jokes can make you laugh. Movies can make you cry . Conversations can make you sweat. A card or call from that special someone can get your heart racing. The connection between your mind and body is undeniable. The thoughts you think, the emotions you feel, the images you see, and the things you do all affect your behavior and your body chemistry. Likewise your body chemistry and your behavior affect how you think, how you feel, your impressions of what you see, and what you do. So my book is going to teach me how when I'm feeling sorry for myself to do things that will give me pelasure. If just thinking about exercise is making me tired, it will help me think about it differently. If I am feeling edgy, it will show me ways to relax. If I'm frustrated, they will share success of others who've experienced the same feelings and have overcome them. If I'm overwhelmed, it will suggest ways to refocus my thoughts and energy.

I'm going to explore the importance of treating myself well, clarifying my goals, and cultivating an "achievement attitude". I will become an effective problem solver, learn how to mentally rehearse being successful, and understand what I can do to change my body chemistry.
I will share more on these subjects as I learn more about them.

But this totally makes sense as I think a lot of things in life are 'mind over matter'. One of my favorite quotes is "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't...you're right" I've been having a major slump essentially since Thanksgiving of 2008, because I just wasn't seeing good results which is why I went back to lower carb eating instead of WW, but I let myself be loose and 'slack' about my eating so I wasn't 100% on plan, I would say maybe 50% on plan, and then I wondered why I wasn't loosing? We'll thanks to Mrs. Sheila I'm back on plan and not going to let things get slack, as I want to be "Sizzling for the Summer" Who knows maybe I'll be brave enough to wear a swimming suit :) I hate my body in a swimming suit..always have, I have varicose veins in my legs and I have huge muscularly calves from years of soccer playing as a kid, and I just feel goofy. Any ways here are todays stats:

April 4^th Protein Day #1 of 3 initial (then it's once a week)

Todays Weight: 206.2#
Meals
B: 2 OM Cheese Hotdog links 2g
L: 1 Salmon Patty 2g Carbs
D: 3 ½ oz Chicken Breast
Snacks: 6 Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts, Yogurt

Exercise:
Walk Slim Fast Start 2 Miles (30 Min)
10 Min Firming Exercises

No emotional eating for me today....

No weigh in today, I will probably only post weigh ins on days when I can 'void' before weigh in, as I generally have a good one in the mornings (somedays up to three pounders) sorry if TMI, anyways I generally am not to that point on my work days, so I will probably post weigh ins on Saturdays, Weds, Thursday and sometimes if I'm lucky Saturdays. Otherwise I fluctuate too much for my own comfort. Today started off good, I worked, groomed a few dogs, wasn't too super hungry for breakfast so I ended up just eating a couple of cheese sticks. I know not the best, but it's better than nothing.

Anyways for the emotional part, one of my recently adopted furkids (he was a littermate to my cat Pipsqueak), he was only about 10 months old. Anyways we've had him for adoption since he was a baby, but he's had some health issues (prolapsed intestines, hip dysplasia etc) so no one has really wanted him, well about 2 weeks ago I convinced my hubby to let me bring him home, he quickly stole our hearts. Anyways to make a long story short, he collapsed today while he was at the vet (aka my work and my dad) getting rechecked for a respiratory infection. We immediately did CPR, we worked on him for a good 20 minutes, my dad even did open chest heart massage, but it was all to no avail. He had something called Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which is non curable, it essentially causes an extreme thickening of the heart wall so the blood can't be pumped normally. So Misaki left us at only 10 months old. Both my hubby and I are devastated. He was such a sweetheart, and we both were quite attached in just a short time (I have been wanting him forever, and been spending a lot of time with him at work). Rest in Peace my sweet baby boy Misaki aka Paleface. Here are some pictures of the sweetheart:
http://thethompsonzoo.blogspot.com/2009/03/misaki-teacheshow-to-win-heartsand-new.html

http://thethompsonzoo.blogspot.com/2009/03/remember-misaki.html

Now for the no emotional eating....normally when I have stressful situations I just grab whatever I can find, or stop on my way home from work and get fast food. Today I was strong, I had the urges but I didn't! Instead I came home and exercised, I did the Leslie Sansones Walk Slim Fast start 2 miles (30 min). I am quite proud of myself. I didn't stress eat! I didn't stress eat! This is a Big thing for me, as that is my 'norm' is burying my stress, emotions, sadness with food and/or diet coke and I remained strong! YEAH ME!

April 3^rd Prep Day #3

B:2 cheese sticks, 1 Morning Spark Orange Juice
L: Tuna Salad Sandwich, Green Salad w/dressing, Orange
D: Salmon Patty, Baked potato sour cream, butter, Green salad, apple
Snacks: Cheese sticks, lean deli meats, lower carb yogurt

Exercise or bust

Exercise is DEFINITELY something I HATE doing, I feel like an idiot going to gyms, it's just not my scene and I feel VERY VERY out of place there. So I finally got my stability ball blown up (have only had it for months), and did the Leslie Sansone You Can Do Abs featuring the Stability Ball What a great workout that was! I really like the stability ball, have used one in the past like 5 times :) He He He! I also have the Guy Peterson Core workout for the stability ball. So I'm devising an 'exercise' program to get me going, I have short work days on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and then my off day is on Thursdays, Mon, Tues, Fridays I work 10 hour days. My thinking was I could do elliptical in the morning and stability in the evening on Thursdays.

Mondays: WATP DVD +10 Min Firming Exercises
Tuesdays: WATP DVD + 10 Min Firming Exercises
Wednesdays: Stabilty Ball + 10 Min Firming Exercises
Thursdays: Elliptical Machine & Stability Ball (if I'm up for both) + 10 Min Firming Exercises
Fridays: WATP DVD + 10 Min Firming Exercises
Saturdays: Elliptical or Stability Ball + 10 Min Firming Exercises
Sundays: Day of Rest
**This may change as I get more and more active, and as I have more time freed up from "Flying" with Flylady. We shall see

I'm excited as I have started to create a 'playlist' for cool exercise songs to get me pumped up. Here is what I have so far:
http://heather.rnht.net/exercise.html
Anyone else have some cool workout songs?

Is it a fluke?

208.6#?????? Seriously I had to take a picture for my weigh in this morning as I couldn't believe it wasn't a fluke, I stepped on and off the scale like 5 times! WOW what a nice reprieve. Probably a lot of water weight as I am TOM right now. No matter the cause I'll take it! I needed this so much this morning.

Here is the meal plan for today:

April 2^nd Prep Day #2

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham, 1 Slice whole wheat toast w/butter spray, 1 Morning Spark Orange Juice, 1 Red Apple
L: Tuna Salad Sandwich, Green Salad w/dressing, Orange
D: Salmon Patty, Baked potato sour cream, butter, Green salad, apple
Snacks: Cheese sticks, lean deli meats, lower carb yogurt

Hubby is wanting a pizza pasta bake, not sure if I will have any or not, am going to use low carb pasta for it though. I think I will stick to my diet, as I don't want to blow it already :) I have a lot to do today, have to run to walmart, bank (at walmart so that's 2 errands in one hit), Petsmart (which is in the same area as walmart) and then Costco. Since Rob has been on his diet as well we are going through a lot of fruits (1 box of oranges --not the huge boxes the smaller ones, and 1 large bag of oranges, and 2 bunches of bananas a week). It's been good though. He sure is losing weight, I can tell because I can wrap my arms around him closer and closer every day :) When we met I could touch/hug him with both my hands all the way around him, it's getting better. He probably has at least 200# to lose before he's at a 'healthier' weight. He says he gets down to about 250# then gets stuck. So we'll see.

Weigh N Measure Week 2

This weeks Measurements for the Measuring Up for Summer Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
• Chest 35"
• Waist 35"
• Belly 45"
• Hip 48 & 1/2"
• Thigh 29 & 1/2" Left 28 3/4" Right
• Upper Arm 15" Left 14 & 1/2" Right
Inches Lost this week: 4.5"
Total Inchese Lost: 4.5"

This weeks Weight for the March into Spring Challenge at Choosing 2 Lose
Last weeks Weight 210.0#
This weeks Weight 208.6#
# lost this week: 1.4#
Total # for this challenge: 1.4#

Getting Started

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started" Mark Twain
I am so ready for my 'restart'. I am pumped today, was able to eat breakfast (although it took me a while). I am hoping I can hold on to the enthusiasm and really get going again/finally with my weight loss. I went in to work for a few hours to groom a couple of dogs and that was good. I got home just in time for our snowstorm to REALLY start going. It's really windy out today. I took a scale shot and my stupid camera battery was on the fritz, so I will take another one but it's probably gonna be higher because I have eaten today. :( I am going to do a core training dvd a little later today. I will come back and 'update' on how things go today. So far I'm not really hungry, have had breakfast. Am looking forward to lunch, as I love Tuna Fish. I really should start planning my menus on a regular basias as it helps out so much, especially with my hubby who likes to play the "Food, Good, the kind you eat" game, when I ask him what he wants for dinner.

Here is my meal plan for today
April 1st Prep Day #1

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham (actually at only about 1 piece), 1 Slice whole wheat toast, 1 Morning Spark Orange Juice, 1 Orange
L: Tuna Salad Sandwich, Green Salad w/dressing, Orange
D: Salmon Patty seasoned w/lemon pepper, Baked potato, butter, cheese, broccoli, Green salad
Snacks: Cheese sticks, lower carb yogurt

Exercise today, just did my 10minute workout, I ended up taking a 5 hour nap this afternoon :P It was MUCH needed, I only got 4 hours of sleep last night, and while I had a lot I wanted to get done, I think my sleep was more important :)

In the Lean for Life Diet book it talks about the 6 essentials for success:
1- Make your goal "to learn to be lean for life".
2- Your level of interest and enthusiasm will determine your level of success
3- Learn to recognize and eliminate your defensive barriers
4- Learn to control cravings
5- Learn to use relaxation techniques and "stress less"
6- Follow the maintenance program for lasting success

These can be applied to any diet program, I am looking forward to learning more about each one of these subjects and how to 'get over them' and apply them to my life. I am more focused than I have been in a while lately. So hopefully I will be able to use that to my advantage.

Here is my Sizzling For Summer Challenge Starting Weigh In Picture:
Sorry about the glare it is 211.6#