Sizzling For Summer Week 6 Check in

Sw: 211.6
Cw: 201.6
Amount lost this week: 1.4 lbs
Overall loss in this challenge: 10#

Wow! I am SO close to ONEderland! It has been a tough week, mothers day was hard due to squabbling with my hubby about my anxieties. I haven't seen him that upset in a long long time. We don't really fight have only had maybe 2 major fights in our marriage as we generally take time to talk things out. But we did on Sunday. But then we made up for it...if you know what I mean...and again on Monday Maybe the extra activities made the loss this week, although I've been being pretty good, and exercising EVERY day :) WOOT WOOT!

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.

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 :)

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# :)

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

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.

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#

Sizzling for Summer 2 Week Menu Plan

Challenge Week 1:

April 1^st Prep Day #1

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham, 1 Slice whole wheat toast, 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

April 2^nd Prep Day #2

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham, 1 Slice whole wheat toast, 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

April 3^rd Prep Day #3

B: 2 Eggs, 2 Pieces of Deli Ham, 1 Slice whole wheat toast, 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

April 4^th Protein Day #1

B: 1 Egg

L: 2 ½ oz Tuna Fish

D: 3 ½ oz Chicken Breast

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 5^th Protein Day #2

B: 1 Egg

L: 2 ½ oz Tuna Fish

D: 3 ½ oz Chicken Breast

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 6th Protein Day #3

B: 1 Egg

L: 2 ½ oz Tuna Fish

D: 3 ½ oz Chicken Breast

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 7^th Weight Loss Day #1

B: Eggbeaters, Apple

L: Salmon Patty, Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Chicken, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

Challenge Week 2:

April 8^th Weight Loss Day #2

B: Eggbeaters, Orange

L: Salmon Patty, Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Chicken, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

April 9^th Weight Loss Day #3

B: 2 Hot Dog Links, Apple

L: 2 ½ oz cold cuts Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Beef, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 10^th Weight Loss Day #4

B: 2 Hot Dog Links, Orange

L: Tuna Fish, Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Pork Chops, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 11^th Weight Loss Day #5

B: Eggbeaters, Orange

L: Salmon Patty, Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Chicken, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

April 12^th Weight Loss Day #6

B: 2 Hot Dog Links, Apple

L: 2 ½ oz cold cuts Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Beef, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 13^th Weight Loss Day #7

B: 2 Hot Dog Links, Orange

L: 2 ½ oz cold cuts Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Pork Chops, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

Snacks: Cheese Sticks, 4 oz Cottage Cheese, 2 ½ oz Lean/Fat Free Cold Cuts

April 14th Weight Loss Day #8

B: Eggbeaters, Orange

L: Salmon Patty, Mixed Veggies steamed, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

D: Chicken, Green Beans, Orange, Green Salad Low Carb Dressing

Sizzling For Summer Challenge Before Pictures

I am wearing a size 16 pants, but am *almost* ready for next size down, if my butt were a little smaller....as they are quite lose around my belly.
Excuse the face, I'm mega breaking out right now, never had acne as a teen had baby smooth skin, but since I was in my late 20's I can't seem to get a grip on it. DARN PCOS!

Left Side & Right Side

My Ghetto Booty....seriously my BIGGEST problem area is my butt, thighs and tummy

Front shot

Sizzling For Summer Challenge Begins Tomorrow

I'm a challenge Junkie, so have joined Sheila's Sizzling for Summer Challenge

I join challenges and try to give it my all, but lately I've been 'giving in' to that evil voice on my shoulder. I am DETERMINED to kick the voice to the curb. I blew up my exercise ball tonight --I have 2 of them one that I bought with Core Secrets by Gunner Peterson, and then one that I got with one of Leslie Sansone's DVD's, since my abdomen is my MEGA problem area, I've decided I've GOT to start working on it.
My mission for this challenge is two fold.
1- To get BACK on track which means yet another 'start' over. I am going to start fresh with the 3 prep days even because I just need this kick in the pants. I am starting Lean for Life/Rite Aid Weight Loss plan TOMORROW AGAIN I think this is like the 10th time this year.
2- To incorporate some sort of Routine exercise program. I have at least 10 exercise dvd's and would REALLY like to get my money's worth out of them instead of them collecting dust. So I will be working on this as I get a feel for which ones I like etc. And I also have an elliptical machine that I can be using as well. I would like to maybe do like every other day Walk At Home DVD, then maybe do some Core Training/Ball Training and also add the elliptical machine in there, so I've got to come up with a routine, and hopefully will be able to do so in the next week, stay tuned..... I have 3 days off a week so maybe what I could do is WATP on my work days, then do WATP and a Ball DVD on my off days
My weight loss goal for this challenge is 15# that is doable if I keep at it. That's a little less than 2# a week. If I put my mind to it, and put my whole heart into it I can do it.

So I do have a confession to make...my weigh in in the morning is NOT going to be pretty....I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (my sister's treat) and had WAY too many Peanuts, had a steak, salad and loaded baked potatoe. NOT the best choice....I can't help it my Aunt Flo is visiting and my first few days are always KILLER on my diet. UGH! I'm sure I'll probably cry when I get on there....that's okay next week is going to be better.