New Inspirational Site

This blog was shared with me on a forum, and I've been reading it all week! I am quite motivated by him, he has lost 200# since Jan 08 with diet, and exercise. He reminds me a lot of my hubby. http://zeusmeatball.blogspot.com Anyways I just wanted to share this motivational blog.

Back to the Grind

Well I got back yesterday. It has been a long week, lots of fun. It rained pretty much every day which DOES NOT make an outdoor show very fun. Especially when you have poodles! Although it did hold off pretty much for the times she was showing, although some breeds were not so lucky! Jewel is a pretty girl, she's very refined. Here are some pictures of her on Sunday. I am still not feeling 100% with my sinus infection still draining crud (it's yellow now), so I'll be talking to my Dr. again. I have today off, and go back to work tomorrow. Unfortunately, my staff is not as efficient as I would like them to be so whenever I take time off it is very frustrating to go back to work and trying to sort things out, my main receptionist apparantly called in sick on Friday...AGAIN! I've got to talk to her on Friday about her attendance AGAIN! Anyways back to the grind, back to the diet, and back to lots of laundry and catching up on housework...if I can pull myself away from the show "The Closer" I LOVE that show. I pick up my kids from the pet resort tomorrow and hopefully they have missed me :) I can't wait to get back to walking my golden retriever. We found out this weekend, that my 8 month old golden retriever has Diabetes Insipidus (which is water diabetes), she can't concentrate her urine (process it properly) which is why she drinks/pees so much. So she has to get shots everyday, you can do eye drops, but apparantly that isn't going to work for her as she fights it going into her eye, so I get to give her a shot every day. I've only had her for 2 months and she was a rescue (she needs surgery on her shoulder). But apparantly as usual, my animals sure know how to pick me :) My dad is a veterinarian so it makes for easy treatment of my 'medically' challenged kids.

Eating on the go....

I am writing this from the hotel, here's a few things I have learned. Double CONFIRM that there will be a fridge/microwave accessible! They told me on the phone there was one, but not when I got here and it was midnight so I was exhausted and not about to hotel hunt, so I had to go buy a cooler (that says it keeps food cool for 5 days) and a microwave. My sister wants me to go to dog shows a lot for her, so I'll just 'pack' the cooler and the microwave in the future.

Things are going well on the diet front. Having breakfast bowls with a piece of fruit for breakfast, a wrap (using those flat out wraps from walmart), with lean meats, cheese, and lettuce, then 100 calorie rice crispie treats (yummo), and then a Lean Gourmet for dinner with a salad and a piece of fruit. For snacks I did some veggies, and then some 100 calorie snack things

As for the dog show....it's raining, and an outdoor show and they are STILL going on with the show....oh the joy! It was hailing earlier today. Luckily, my friends motor home is like right across from the rings so we can watch to see when we are up. Here is the dog I'm showing:


So I

Hotel Meal Ideas???

I am going out of town on Wednesday until Sunday, and will have fridge/micro in room. During the day I will be spending the day in a motorhome with my friend will have access to her fridge. I am looking for easy and fairly inexpensive 'healthy/diety' type meals/snacks to take.

My thinking is Breakfast Bowls (egg beaters, bacon bits etc) for breakfasts, Lunches I was thinking Deli Meat Wraps, and Dinners I'm stumped but was thinking maybe Lean Cuisine or something? Anyone have any other 'easy' hotel meal ideas?

Right now I'm doing lower carb/calorie counting.

CC 4th of July Challenge Check In/Family Challenge Checkin

Name: Heather
Pounds Lost this Week: 1.8# (But have gained since last check in
Total Challenge Pounds Lost: 0 Right now (I'm up to 210.0# started at 209.6#)
NSV's: Did reasonably well being sick this week
Weekly Summary: It was an AWFUL week, I have been really sick with a sinus infection/chest/head cold, feverish and everything, so have been eating lots of comfort foods.
Strategies for Success for the Coming Week: Getting back on plan, and exercising again, haven't felt well enough to exercise that much this week.

My Family is also doing a "Biggest Loser" challenge. We all have to pay $50.00 entrance fee, then the winner at the end of the challenge gets the entry fees. It ends in September.
Starting (Last week) Weight: 211.8#
This week Weight: 210.0#

I have a fever today (100.8) but I think it just broke, I need to go check it, I've been feeling better today but I tend to get worse at night. I took a 4 hour nap this afternoon which was MUCH needed. I'm hoping to feel well enough tomorrow to exercise some.

Still alive...I think.....

UGH! I got sicker yesterday! I have fluid behind my right ear, and my entire right side of my neck is extremely tender and painful. My sinuses are KILLING me, and my ear hurts. I picked up some homeopathic ear drops, am taking antibiotics, and flushing my sinuses with saline 4-5 times a day following up with a spritz of colloidal silver up my nose. I have yet to get back on the diet, still just eating comfort foods....dang it! I wish I felt better. Hubby really wanted me to stay home today but I was basically the only one who could do what I do at work (I'm the Pet Groomer) and I had a HUGE dog to do today....
Here are a couple dogs who are members of our "Pet Shedder's Anonymous Program"
Sadie is the first one she is a Husky/German Shepherd mix, and then Yoshi is the 2nd one he's the one I did today, I spent probably at least an hour brushing him/de-shedding him. I got an entire garbage can full of hair out of him....his owners have his treatment done about every 3 months and it reduces his shedding about 80% at home!

Quick Update

Not doing so hot this week....will get my scale photo posted soon for the Fabulous N Fit Challenge I just have been dealing with a very sick hubby, he has asthma severely so when he gets sick it usually is 10x worse than a normal person. He has had the flu as I have the past few days, got it from a worker of his who decided to stay/go to work even though he was sick...wasn't that nice of him, it's all I have been able to do to go to work and such. My work is very short staffed and I'm a manager so can't really afford to take 'sick' days a lot. Anyways this week has been stressful, and tom, so my weight has ballooned. UGH! But starting tomorrow I'm back on plan and detoxing to get rid of this water/bad eating weight. I'm sick of the yo-yoing I've been losing the same 12# over and over since Christmas...time for a change...a new front is on the horizon!

Fabulous N Fit By Fall Challenge!

Everything is just about ready for the challenge to begin! YEAH! I have decided to have an entire blog for the challenge as I find it easier to keep up with things that way. Instructions and Details of the challenge are located on the new blog.
http://fabulousbyfall.blogspot.com
I'm really excited for this challenge. Everyone who joins, gets' their own 'tree' in the Fabulous N Fit Weight Loss Grove! You get leaves on your tree as you lose weight and check in each week! WAHOO! Who's gonna have a pretty fall tree with me? We will have 2 winners as well! Although anyone who gives a concerted effort and loses something is a winner! :P

My cute little nephew!

I met my little nephew for the 1st time today. He is almost 2 years old (September) and lives just 90 minutes away, however my brother and his ex-wife are going through a nasty divorce and Jon has only been allowed visitation in HER home, with only my dad and my other brother and his wife (who were friends with the ex before all this happened) allowed to go there. However she went out of town on one of Jon's visists so we got 'court' ordered visitation at my Aunt's home which is located in a neighboring (to my parents) town. Jon's attorney encouraged us all to go and visit him. It was a lot of fun. Chandler is a cute little boy and looks a lot like his dad. Almost spitting image!

The picture with othe rpeople in it is my sister Jen, my brother Mike and his 2 kids Brigg is in the red/white shirt and Braden is held by my brother.








****Update on the up and coming "Fabulous N Fit By Fall" Challenge, I am working hard on it, had it just about ready to go then I had a complete, brain storm moment and started over! It's gonna be really cool! Anyways I will be working hard on it and should have it ready by Sunday! SO....stay tuned :)

End of the Sizzling Hot For Summer Challenge

Starting Weight April 1st: 211.6#
Ending Weight May 27th: 206.4#
Total Lost this challenge: 5.2#

Why I love my husband

What a wonderful conversation to start off the day ;) This is an AIM Conversation. Just gotta love his 'kissing' up don'tcha? Makes me feel not so bad for taking a butter knife to my laptop keyboard the other day and popping off the spacebar key (trying to get the piece of food out from under it)....this is coming from my hubby who is a computer geek by trade.

6:57:20 AM) heather Love you
(6:57:32 AM) rob love you too.
(6:57:36 AM) rob oh dso I love you
(6:57:51 AM) rob you are the bestestestest wife in the whole world.
(6:58:05 AM) heather why?
(6:58:14 AM) rob the most caring, kind hearted, loving, UNDERSTANDING person in the world.
(6:59:13 AM) rob and you love your husband to no end and would be happy, near estatic to do anything for him.
(7:00:52 AM) heather What do you need/want?
(7:01:05 AM) heather ;-)
(7:01:11 AM) rob I need $20
(7:01:19 AM) heather What now :-*
(7:01:19 AM) rob I can pay you back when I get paid
(7:01:42 AM) rob um, I need you to stop at walmart and pick up a new keyboard.
(7:02:10 AM) rob cause um, I won't have time to fix yours until this weekend..
(7:02:25 AM) rob O:-)
(7:02:38 AM) rob it was an accident
(7:03:05 AM) heather What did you do?
(7:04:17 AM) rob um, I went to um set some ice on your desk, and um there was a cup there that um I kinda set there the other day so I um wouldn't knock it over, and well um it kinda fell over and um emptied itself into your keyboard, the um entire glass.
(7:05:17 AM) heather So you took it upon yourself to have a heather moment did ya?
(7:05:46 AM) heather: Speaking of which....my brother is harassing me about his puters
(7:05:57 AM) rob and see we um payed like um $20 for them so um I thought you could pick one um up and I would clean the old one um on the weekend and have it as um like um an extra in case um heatherism strikes again.

Tuesday May 26th

Tuesday May 26th : Weight 207.0#
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Yogurts, Fruit, Almond Smoothie
Snack: 2 Cheese Sticks
Lunch: Salad w/salmon patty/cheese
Dinner: Baked Potatoe/Chilli/Cheese
Snack:
Exercise: 30 Min Walk w/dog
Water: Drank it all

Not suprised that my weight is up with all me excess snacking/munching yesterday. Need to start scrapbooking again or something so I'm not so 'mindlessly' munchie on days off. As long as I keep busy I don't have to keep shoveling stuff in my mouth.

On a sad note, this morning I discovered one of my budgies passed away during the night, Skye, she was egg bound (bled to death while having an egg). Here is a picture of her:

Happy Memorial Day

glitter-graphics.com

Monday May 25th : Weight 205.6#
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Yogurt/Fruit/Almond Smoothie
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Hummus Veggie Pita Plate, again really yummy, hubby hates it but I LOVE hummus
Dinner: Tuna Bake, Potato Chips
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn, Frozen Otter Pop Type Things, way too many of them at 20 calories each....UGH, Potato Chips
Exercise: 30 Minute walk with my dog
Water: Drank All My Water


Just had a lazy day, spent a good majority of it relaxing, doing laundry and dishes. Also reflecting on the wonderful freedoms I have because of all the wonderful military/navy etc men and women who sacrifice so much for me. My Grandfather was in the Army was in WWII, and when he was older just before he died, I did a project where I started going through his pictures and labeled them, he had Alzheimers so was sketchy on what he could remember. But it was so amazing to hear some of his stories, as well as at his funeral the salute he was given. He died just after my Sr year of high school in 1995 (actually lost 3 grandparents that year, January, April and November). I had never lost anyone close to me other than a little boy I had babysat, so that was a very tough year. When I was on my mission in WV there was a gentleman, Marvin who was one of the most amazing men I have ever met, he was in the army severed in WWII and he took us to a memorial in Virginia. It was so touching to see his reverence at the memorial site. I am honored and blessed by all those who have served and the families who support them. THANK YOU!

Snacks, Snacks Snacks...What to have?

Sunday May 24th Day 5 : Weight 206.0# Down 0.4# 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Berry Fruit N Yogurt Parfait w/almonds
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn
Lunch: Thai Peanut-chicken wrap
Dinner: Navajo Tacos
Snack: 100 Calorie Chocolate Bar, 100 Calorie Protein Snack
Exercise: 30 Minutes WATP DVD (It's raining here), and 2.5 hours cleaning at work...very active
Water:Yes

K weekends are ALWAYS the hardest for me, as you can see I've eaten a few more snacks than normal. It is so hard for me, it's like I have to have something in my mouth, not so sure if it's because I spend a lot of time on the couch, or the computer chair just vegging, trying to think of ways to be more active on weekends so I can stay more occupied as this sucks! It's been such a challenge today. So I'm looking for 'healthy' 100 calorie snacks, either the ones you can buy or the ones you make yourselves. What are some of your favorite snacks to have?

Simply Saturday

Saturday May 23rd : Weight 206.4# 1.6# Loss 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Oatmeal, peanut butter, banana for breakfast, it was really yummy!
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Thai Peanut/Chicken/Bell Pepper Wrap
Dinner: Chicken Fajitas
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn
Exercise: 45 Min Walk w/dog
Water: Drank it all

Recipe:
Thai Peanut Chicken Wrap
2 tsp peanut butter
2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp honey
2 oz cooked chicken breast, cubed (I seasoned mine with Garlic, Onion Powder & Seasoned Salt)
1 cup red bell peppers, sliced
1 whole-grain tortilla

Blend Peanut butter, 2 tsp water, soy sauce and honey until smooth. Mix peanut sauce with chicken and peppers, and wrap in a tortilla.

Today was saturday, and I LOVE working on Saturdays, why you might ask? Because my day is cut 4 hours shorter than my normal as I only work 9am-4pm and things are generally a tad bit slower on saturdays so I am able to get some 'busy work' and tedious tasks done. Today I did doggie daycare and it was fun, we have a lot of dogs boarding this weekend:
Saturday we had 6 standard poodles in doggie daycare, 1 golden retriever, 1 Bernese Mountain Dog, 2 German Shepherds. In little dogs we had 2 schnauzers, 2 jack russels, 1 shih tzu and 2 chihuahuas. Just about EVERY noisy dog that ever boards with us is there this weekend, the only quiet ones were 4 of the standard poodles, the bernese mtn dog (only noisy for attention) and the chihuahus. So you can imagine the headache I endured :) But I like it when we have a lot of dogs as there are more playful ones there and they can 'entertain' themselves easier....i.e..find someone to wrestle with.

We have a client who for the past 7 years has 'blended' her dogs food up and frozen it into individual servings. It's a german shepherd and she has something called Megaeosophogus so she can't swallow properly. She is a little skinny but doing amazingly well for her condition, most don't live this long at all. She's such a good girl, she stands on her hind legs on a counter to 'lap' up her liquid food mix, then after she eats she has to stand for 20 minutes on a chair to help gravity. She is so good she stands there for the entire time....you might ask while I'm telling you this....because It made me realize that preparation is the key.

I try to make my meals the night before, well at least when I work I make my breakfasts/dinners as it makes it so much easier in the mornings, and I have less chance of not taking something healthy. If I'm running late, I don't have to worry about not having time to make up my meals n snacks if I prepare them ahead of time. What do you do to prepare yourself to eat healthy?

Slimming Green Smoothie Recipe

Here is the recipe for the "Slimming Green Smoothie Recipe" it is pretty good, if you aren't used to 'veggie' drinks it's a little different at first, but I really enjoy it.
**Added: this recipe came from the "All You" Magazine from Walmart, it's the June issue that's pink with Lemonade on the cover**

Green Honey Ginger Drink
1 Cup fresh flat-leaf parsley (leaves and stems)
1/4 cup pineapple (fresh, frozen, or canned; no sugar added)
2 tsp honey
1 inch fresh ginger peeled and grated
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup water
***Am Loving Rob's little cute blender we got him, it's a small basically just one-two serving size blender perfect for smoothies and drinks. I LOVE it! Makes it easy, and I HATE the noise of regular blenders, I plug my ears LOL!

Ooh...I did not know this:
Slimming perks: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that dissolves lymphatic toxins to smooth away fatty pockets in the belly and thighs. Plus, bromelain neutralizes bradykinins, polypeptides that promote fat storage in the lower body.

I look forward to it every morning. Was wondering if anyone knows if it would hurt to keep it up after the 7 days? It doesn't really say anything in the magazine article. Oooh, I've read this article about a dozen times and have MISSED a crucial step:
1- Start each day with a special drink (Green Honey Ginger Drink) and END each day with a cup of peppermint tea (I missed this step! MMMM gonna go make me a cup, love my herbal teas).
2- Then basically stick to 1200 calories it has a lot of 'healthful' fats in it so it is more filling than typical diet plans (nuts, avocados, olive oil)
3- Get 30 Minutes of Moderate Exercise in.

It also suggests when you have cravings to have peppermint tea. It's weird but this REALLY has helped me. I add a little splenda and calorie free!

Way to go!

Friday May 22nd : Weight 208.0# (I'll take a maintain after having cookies yesterday) 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Oatmeal, peanut butter, banana for breakfast, it was really yummy!
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Hummus Veggie Pita Plate, again really yummy, hubby hates it but I LOVE hummus
Dinner: Garlic/Onion/Chive Seasoned Salmon Patty w/sauteed kale and brown rice seasoned with lemon pepper
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn
Exercise: 30 Minute walk with my dog
Water: 2 Diet Cokes only...miracle for me, and drank all my water.

I'm so happy, excited and proud of my Aunt Joyce! She won her works Biggest Loser Contest with a loss of 60+ # since January! Wow! I'm so amazed! I could be there too if I'd quit slacking. This totally gives me renewed spirits and motivation. I'm psyched! Still doing good on plan (day #3) so far. Had a couple cheats at the baby shower yesterday but I made dinner sacrifice and made sure I got my exercise in as well. Update on the upcoming challenge. I'm working on it, going to get it all going this weekend. I've been busy with making the shower gifts and work. I am thinking of having it start on the 2nd (that gives us a week to recover from Memorial Day Festivities) with weigh-ins on Tuesdays (but you can check in any time during the week as long as it's before tuesdays as The Fall Equinox is on Tuesday). Is that cool with everyone?

Baby Shower & new motivation!

Thursday May 21st : Weight 208.0# Down 2.2# WOOT WOOT! Aiming for 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Italian Toast (Cottage Cheese/Tomato/Basil on toast)
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Pita/Veggies/Hummus Plate (cucumbers/green peppers/carrots)
Dinner: A small plate at the baby shower I went too (fruits, a chicken salad, and yes I had 2 cookies :(
Snack: None seeing as how dinner wasn't on plan
Exercise: 30 Minute walk with my dog, Shellie, she had ants in her pants today because she saw some cats on our walk and was freaked out by them so kept the walk short.
Water: 2 Diet Cokes (doing good in that regard), yes I drank all my water

Yes I did go 'off' at dinner time, but I kept portions small and didn't eat another dinner or snack tonight to hopefully 'balance things out'. I went to a baby shower for my cousin Kristen tonight. It was a lot of fun. I made a baby journal and a photo album as well as took some gifts. BTW If anyone is in need of any baby items (pacifier, paci pocket, diaper bags) I am selling some items on my hubby & I's personal blog http://robnheather.blogspot.com
Also got some new motivation! My Aunt Joyce (who is one of my favorites if not my absolute favorite Aunt :) She's just one of those 'fun' people, very active in the outdoors, and always good for advice & very supportive! She also was the person who introduced me to Fresca when I'm sick. I don't remember how old I was but I was sick and she came and picked me up from school once and gave me Fresca, I've been drinking it ever since any time I have an upset tummy) has been doing a 'Biggest Loser' challenge with her work, and has lost quite a bit of weight, she looks AMAZING! Great job Aunt Joyce! Her contest ends tomorrow and she was in 1st place last week so I'm rooting for her to get the pot! (I heard it was a huge cash prize). Anyways she was saying how I have lost weight and how she checks my blog to see if I'm still going! That boosted my spirits as well!

I was quite pleased with my weigh in this morning down 2.2#. It was a nice surprise and made my day start off good. I am working on The Fabulous N Fit By Fall Challenge, and just about have things ready. But I wanted your opinions, what types of things do you look for/like in a challenge? Weigh in pictures? Mini Challenges? Prize at the End? Daily inspirations? Measurements? Leave your comments about things you like about challenges so I can gear this towards what you like!

Please by water...

UGH I am NOT happy with this weeks weigh in at all. In fact I broke down and sobbed, loud enough my hubby came running upstairs to see if I was alright.
Last Week: 201.6#
This Week: 210.2# (Gain of 8.6# since last week WTH!)
WTH? I know I wasn't as good as I should have been this past weekend, and I think the scale is showing it, I had a lot of crap/salty foods, and ate more than I should have. I'm so upset with myself. I'm NOT throwing in the towel, and NOT going to lose myself in food, in fact just the opposite. I read about a 7 Day Diet in the magazine ALL You that will help you lose water retention weight, so I'm gonna give it a go to jumpstart my diet, then I plan on following their 1600 calorie per day plan after that. We'll see how it goes. I hope to get back down before next weeks final Sizzling Hot For Summer Challenge Weigh In. I'm so upset about this weigh in. See I told ya I can retain water like crazy. Back when I first started I gained/lost 15# in one week due to water retention.

Wednesday May 20th : Weight 210.2# 1290 Calories
Morning: Started the day off with a Ginger/Parsley/Honey/Lemon Juice/Pineapple juice drink,
Breakfast: Oatmeal, peanut butter, banana for breakfast, it was really yummy!
Snack: Apple
Lunch: Hummus Veggie Pita Plate, again really yummy, hubby hates it but I LOVE hummus
Dinner: Dijon Maple Salmon w/sauteed kale and brown rice --really liking the food so far it's been delicious
Snack: 100 Calorie Popcorn
Exercise: 30 Minute walk with my dog, have been doing 45 minutes, but she was having a hard time with her shoulders today so kept it brief.
Water: 2 Diet Cokes only...miracle for me, and drank all my water.

Yes the foods are 'carby' but I haven't been doing so hot on the low carb plan so I figured I would give a different plan a shot. I am not a huge fan of calorie counting (due to laziness) but I'm willing to try just about anything.

Healthy Choices

Today was a busy day at work, sadly all I had to eat all day was some pepperoni (not on a pizza) just the pepperoni, I take it to snack on but It was really good, I was busy and just didn't make time to eat lunch. So when I got home I was STARVING and lately I've been making nachos (yes with the tortilla chips) and cheese when I get home to stave off the hunger until dinner is cooked. Well not today I toyed with the idea, but I decided to have the salad I didn't eat for lunch instead! WOOT WOOT! I'm so excited. Anyways just wanted to share. Weigh in is in the morning for the Sizzling For Summer Challenge.....let's hope it's a good one. About to go change so I can go exercise. Have a great night everyone!