It's been awhile....

A special thank you this morning to Ms. Donna for putting things back into perspective on our weight loss journey. With summer coming up, it's the perfect time and the worst time to lose weight. It's finally nice enough (if you ignore the heatwave we've been having) to get outside and do yard work, take walks, swim, lots and lots of opportunities to get exercise. On the flip side, with the busy summer schedule we tend to have a lot of "grab as you go" meals that are not necessarily conducive to weight loss.

In my Woman's World this week (June 6 Issue) there is a great article on Wash Away Fat. I have a hard time drinking one 8 oz glass of water a day, much less 8 of them. A new study at Vanderbilt shows that if you drink 4.5 oz of water 20 minutes before meals, it will shrink your appetite, which will aid in weight loss. I'm going to try this and see. That is just a juice glass full of water. Not as intimidating as a full glass.

They also talk about a tea that has 12 times more age-fighting antioxidants than orange juice. If you like tea, they suggest you try Celestial Seasonings Perfectly Pear White Tea.

I have also found that one of my weaknesses is second helpings or a snack after supper (a few cookies, a Little Debbie cake.). I'm starting a new policy. Once I sit down to eat, if I get out of my chair, that's it. I'm done. No seconds; no snacks. It's not because I'm still hungry. It's habit.

I'll keep you posted on how these two things go.

Unslumping One's Self...

As Dr. Seuss puts it so very well, "Unslumping One's self is not easily done."  

Of all the books that describe life's ups and downs best, "Oh the Places You'll Go" has got to be the best! ($1.33 used at Amazon.) Tim and I used to sit and ponder and even feel hopeful after reading this book, when we were in one of those 'terrible' times in our lives as a young couple. Those times when everything seems to go wrong. :o) (Like cancer, only car broken down, job going down the tubes) You don't feel so alone when you realize everyone has ups and downs.

For me, this last week has been a process of 'Unslumping' myself from my weightloss journey. Are you in a slump? Then you know just how I feel! It's nice to have company. LoL!

Really, the only solution I know that I haven't tried yet..is to just keep going through the motions even when I'm NOT inspired. It's how you get through life..and that interminable 'To Do List' so why wouldn't it work for weightloss?  

Really, it's just simple faith and obedience. Doing what you know is right..regardless of the results. (Thanks Elisabeth Elliott!) 

What are those 'things' that we have to keep doing regardless of the results?

It's pursuing whatever weightloss methods you feel you should pursue--especially things that have worked in the past i.e....

• waiting on hunger, stopping when full
• food journals or diaries
• counting calories
• exercise--especially fun kinds like walking, hooping, swimming, square dancing or aerobics..
• avoiding junkfood, eating healthy
• bible study (great spiritual food!!)
• Prayer (we need all the help we can get!)
• weighing in daily, weekly..etc.
• posting on this or some other weightloss website..like spark people (accountability!)
• drinking more water
• gyms
• smaller plates..smaller portions
• healthier recipes

I don't know about you, but I don't think HOW to lose weight  is our problem. I think it's the DOING part that escapes us! :o)

I think that at least for my part, when I don't see quick results...or any results..or I get busy and can't focus on what's going in my mouth, I get discouraged or distracted and stop.  If I fail, even for one day....it makes me feel hopeless.

One thing I've learned from Keelie of Real Fat...is that you just have to keep going. If you look at her sidebar, you see her weight posting. One month..losing 2.5 pounds...another gaining .5...That's monthly progress, mind you,  not daily or even weekly. That's called perseverance.  

Perseverance and commitment is the heart of the problem. We have to quit quitting. Period. So what if you don't see much result? 

I'm convinced that if we keep doing the right things long enough..we'll see permanent weightloss. 

So even though I'm not in the mood...I'm gonna do all the 'right things' anyway.   I kept a food journal this week..though I must admit I didn't always take the time to write things down until noon sometimes!! Or I left off the evening..(subliminal excuse for avoiding the stuff that doesn't look so good on a food journal.)

Three of the days look pretty good..here they are!  Guess what I ate on Thursday...

• 3 cups of popcorn
• a bowl of macaroni and cheese
• three pieces of toast
• 2 tacos
• and finally 6 strawberries

Gee..wonder why I didn't want to write in my food journal on Thursday??Take a BIG guess....

But am I going to give up..NO way!! I got out my Thin Within devotional this morning...wrote down my food for today...watermelon, milk w/ coffee, 2 eggs....weighed myself (groan!) and I'm going to just DO IT! 

I may not feel like dieting..but I can write down what I eat, weigh, read my bible and pray, exercise..etc. I can do SOMETHING. 

  So what if I'm in  a slump...and don't feel motivated. Like Keelie..I'm just going to keep going anyway.   What have we got to lose?...maybe a few pounds!! :o)

I have this feeling that if I just keep moving in the right direction..at some point along the way..I'll get out of the slump.  It works for housework and life in general, and I have a feeling it will work for weightloss too.

Let's just all make a pact that we will not give up..no matter what! What do you think?

BTW, I'm linking to Deb's Fantastic Friday linky party! It's a lot of fun. Do drop by!

xo
Donna

What did you eat for Memorial Day?

 

Aren't special occasions so tough?!!  I got my plate out determined not to 'crater' at the picnic. Of course, I brought my family's favorite potato salad...not at all healthy but a favorite of some of my friends' too. 

Since I made it, I felt obligated to eat some of it. How silly is that? But it was a VERY small dollup...teeny-weeny!   I must say, in my defense, that I have made many a cake for baby showers and wedding showers and had nary a bite..not even of the icing! So I'm not that hopeless of a case LoL!

Let's see...I skipped the hot dog..those things are just nothing but chemicals...but I did have a scoop of someone's homemade chili with beans. This was very good! And I had watermelon..always a safe choice. And I scooped up a big helping of coleslaw. Before you croak..just know that it was FANTASTIC! It had a basalmic vinagrette dressing and olives in it for some extra 'pizzazz'.    (I tried a piece of sausage but it was too spicy--so I skipped it thank goodness!)  That was it! Another picnic safely navigated. :o)

  I didn't have the desserts at all because I'd rather talk than eat..thank goodness!  I kept seeing it go by on people's plates and forgetting to go get some. (Thanks for the distraction Lord!)

But when we got home..late at night..sigh..I had a leftover hamburger patty..but I did eat it on a tortilla rather than on a bun. I was so hungry!  Thank goodness the fridge was stocked with sliced cantaloupe which was a great snack for our movie night. 

What are your strategies for avoiding excess calories on the holidays?  I do know that I went armed with a 'mindset' of not feeling obligated to 'eat' just because it was there. (all except for that potato salad--yipes!!) 

Happy Picnic-ing!

xo

Donna

Zesty Chicken and Rice

 

Every week I troll the internet for food that's not only healthy but that I'd actually want to eat. I found one tonight and thought I'd share, one less recipe you have to hunt down when you make a healthy menu. If you like this one and want more, look here. For those who don't like spicy food, don't worry..it's not.



Ingredients
2 cups brown rice
4 cups water
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch strips
1 can low-sodium diced tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium chili sauce
1 -1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1-1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley ( or 1 tsp. dried)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions

Heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add rice and stir until it starts to crackle (about 2 minutes). Add water and 1/2 tsp. of salt. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to cook for about 30 minutes, until rice is soft. In a deep skillet, add 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and preheat over high heat. Cook chicken in skillet until no longer pink (about 4 minutes). Reduce heat and add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes. Serve over the cooked brown rice. Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information
Zesty Chicken & Brown Rice

Servings Per Recipe: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 310
Total Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: mg
Sodium: mg
Total Carbs: 43g
Dietary Fiber: g
Protein: 31g

If you're looking for inspiration...

Tomorrow a new show starts that just may be the inspiration you need. "Extreme Makeover Weight Loss" showcases one person per episode and shows and entire years worth of their struggle. No " thin in 30 seconds" here! You'll watch these people struggle with the same things you do, maybe more and see how they dug deep within themselves and stopped making excuses. Yes, they get a trainer and someone their to hold them accountable but that doesn't mean they have an advantage over you at all. Why? Well all that fancy stuff that they have doesn't mean anything, at the end of the day it's all about the person putting in the work! If you're looking for support and advice, you're already in the right place..that's why we're here. If our little blog doesn't do it for you, find something that does..that's the beauty of the internet. You're never alone!

Personally, I'll be watching this show and keeping it in the back of my mind as I strive for my goal. If at 500 lbs the lady on the first episode can get off her rear and into action..so can I! Remember, no matter what obstacles you think you have in your way..the only real one is YOU! (Get out of your own way already!)

Livin la vida low carb!

Okay readers, it's been a full week now off carbs..well down to one serving a day. Let me first start by re-stating how much I was so hopelessly and madly in love carbs of all kinds. I honestly didn't think I'd make it through the first night..I actually caught myself dreaming of Wheat thins! Yeah, it was that bad! Literally just about every thought I had involved a carb..that was a serious wake-up call.

So let's fast forward to today. I've been noticing that I don't get the afternoon sleepiness, I sleep better at night and my sweet tooth isn't near what it used to be. Oh, and I lost two inches all around in a week! Low carb dieting isn't the answer to everything but it's clearly made enough of a difference to warrant a lifestyle change.

A great example was my shopping trip today. I walked past isles and isles of sweets and honestly all I saw was sugar, chemicals and high processed muck in pretty package with tricky labels. My eyes saw the yummy foods but my brain realized what it really was..nasty! That 3 second rush of "yum!" is so not worth diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol (and a million other health risks) not to mention  crazy mood swings, low self-esteem and looking at cute clothes wishing they came in the size I could be if I'd just get my butt in gear! Nope. Not a sweet in the world worth all that! Don't get me wrong, I'm not swearing off chocolate (let's be serious here!) but I am going to think before I eat. (The back of the package stays a serving is one piece, not one bar..and no, you can't eat two pieces and then promise yourself you won't have any tomorrow...show some control.)

Trying Again... With Thin Within

Soooo...guess what? Yep, you guessed it... I gained my weight back....after a year of traveling and managing my father's estate. I'd rather say so here than anywhere else! Who else would understand? 

But the great thing is that I'm still counting my blessings and I've learned to eat WAY healthier than I used to. And I'm exercising using a hula hoop..and doing yardwork. (Talk about exhausting!) And I lost four pounds already since I 'got back on track'. 

I've started losing weight again and this book, Thin Within, has been the biggest help. It's just waiting on hunger and stopping when you are full. Simple? Not really, because obedience is never easy.

The fact is that I know in my heart that overeating which the bible talks about in many places is just another sin. Not 'just'..but IS.  As the Lord has been renewing my mind with his word, I've been much more careful about what goes in my mouth.

It's a little harder this week to eat right..and temptations abound when you are eating out..cooking special meals for family...and not paying attention... but I know the Lord will get me through.

I'm starting my food journal again so I can pay better attention to WHEN I eat and WHAT I eat.

How about you? Are you guys still doing well? I know Deb is for sure. :o) She's a real inspiration.

And my dear friend Jaime of Life and Love in the Country is doing great! She posts recipes and her exercise routine regularly! If you want to get inspired..be sure to check out her weight loss journey. :o)

And so is Kylie of REAL FAT! She's so inspiring that my daughter-in-law is following her weight loss program which is similar in that it is based on devotions and scripture too.

What all are you doing to get thin..or stay thin..?  I'd love to hear what you are up to.

Blessings,
Donna @ Comin' Home