quote of the day part 2

It is important that you recognize your progress and take pride in your accomplishments. Share your achievements with others. Brag a little. The recognition and support of those around you is nurturing. - Rosemarie Rossetti

quote of the day

One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. - Lucille Ball

EGG-celent!

This was posted by one of my Facebook friends:

Why I Love Eggs:
1.Eggs are Healthy- 6 grams of high-quality protein, all 9 essential amino acids and only 75 calories!
2. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals including natural vitamin D.
3. They're cheap and easy to prepare. Just boil in the shell, chill & keep in the fridge for a quick, low cal snack.
4. Lots of yummy, creative, healthy recipes are available online! Here are a few:http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/breakfast/easy-healthy-egg-recipes/
5. They remind me of SPRING!

humor of the day

Never

humor of the day

quote of the day part 4

Death is not the biggest Fear we have; our biggest Fear is taking the risk to be alive - the risk to be alive and express what we really are. - Don Miquel Ruiz

snacking ideas

Dr Oz posted some snacking tips, check them out... http://www.youbeauty.com/nutrition/galleries/fatty-snacks-to-lose-weight?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=OZ%2B-%2BFB%2B-%2Bw/o%2B3/26/12%2B-%2BFatty%2BSnacks%2BGallery

quote of the day part 3

These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. - William James

quote of the day part 2

I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts. - Sylvester Stallones

quote of the day

This quote comes from "I am a Woman of God" on Facebook:

"When just starting out on a new journey it's only natural to feel vulnerable. After all, it may seem that you have much to lose. But may I remind you that never again, at any other point in the same journey, will you have so much to gain. The God we serve wants to bless you; that everywhere you step your Father God is two steps ahead preparing your path toward your blessing, so trust and move forward in Jesus Christ name. God bless you Family!"

quote of the day part 2

This fat is my cocoon, and I'm about to bust out and fly.

GOOD NEWS

Tonight at weight loss class. it was announced that I was this week's biggest loser. I lost 11 pounds and 11 inches. Next week, they'll announce who's the biggest loser overall. I have a really good feeling.

Exercise is boring???

This season on the Biggest Loser, their theme is "Excuses". Last night's excuse is "exercise is boring". They disproved that by taking a Zumba class. I haven't signed up for it yet, but I do love putting on upbeat praise songs and dancing to them. Here is my favorite, and I think the lyrics are perfect for my weight loss journey.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WKzIqjqhbk Enjoy

quote of the day

Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. - Christian D. Larson

Worked out

I just got done with an hour walk. Taking a little break in front of the fan with some water. In a bit, I'll walk up and down the stairs a few times. Feeling real good today.

Prayer for Weight Loss

Dear God, I surrender my body and my weight loss to Your divine care and love. I ask that You remove all excess and unnecessary weight from my body. Return my body to it's most healthy and balanced state. Giving me healthy eating habits that support my health and life energy. And finally, teach me to love my body and to care for it from this day forth. Amen!

Manfire, R. (2006). God's prevailing truth is live changing!. (3rd ed., p. 54). Saginaw, AL: God's     
     Prevailing Truth Ministries.

today

I'm feeling good about today. Having my morning Herbalife healthy meal formula 1 shake now, and will have my second one at lunch time. Already drinking lots of water. It looks like it'll be a nice enough day to get a good walk in. Tonight at my weight loss class, we'll have our last weigh-in and measurements. I went to the doctor yesterday, and I have nothing to worry about. That scale showed I'm down to 319.4. Plus, I've been walking for about an hour a day as well as eating better. I was getting frustrated lately, because I thought my efforts were useless. According to my doctor, I'm doing very well. She was impressed that I lost so much so quickly. So I guess I am ok. I'll post tonight's results when I get home.

GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT

I'M DOWN TO 319.2 POUNDS! WOO HOO!

quote of the day

humor of the day

quote of the day

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, Ill try again tomorrow. - Anonymous

I like this quote. It reminds me that some days, we don't do as well as we like. All that matters is we keep trying. NEVER GIVE UP!

good day

Today, we walked a half hour to the grocery store. Then we walked around the store for another half hour. Came back on the bus. Made turkey taco salad for dinner. According to myfitnesspal.com, I can be under 300 pounds in five weeks. I just have to keep doing this everyday. It'll be worth it to be healthy again.

quote of the day part 2

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. - Johann Von Goethe
I like this quote. I think this applies to losing weight as well. The hardest thing it was for me was getting started. Start by walking around the block, get up during TV commercials and move your arms & legs, or just play with your kids. I've started playing up beat praise music while I clean. While I'm doing dishes, I do a little dance while doing so. I am starting to feel so much better. Chloe and I love video games (great stress reliever). For Christmas, we got a Wii. Now we have to get up and move when we want to play a game. It's easier when you find something you're doing anyways and just finding a way to move a little more while your doing it. Just get started.

this week

This week, my weight loss coach restricted my diet until next Wednesday. I'm only allowed 2 Herbalife healthy meal shakes (with 3 scoops instead of 2), 1 small snack high in protein, and 20 servings of water a day (that's 5 liters). I thought I would be hungry, but drinking 5 liters of water a day really fills you up. Of course, there's a down side to drinking that much water... If this is what it'll take for me to lose weight, then I'll do it.

Prayer of the day

quote of the day

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us. - Alexander Graham Bell

I chose this quote for today, because it made me think about how my weight loss has been going. Everyone needs a different method or a different type of motivation to lose weight. I've tried many diets, and I ended up over 300 LBs. I used to just give in to the fact that I was fat, but my health was failing. I'm a single mother of a special needs child. I do have arrangements made for her if something happens to me, but it wouldn't be fair to her if I do give up... SHE NEEDS ME! Herbalife is working for me. In the first couple weeks, I lost about 12 LBs. Then I messed it up eating junk at the wedding. I got back on track, but I wasn't losing. I sat down with my weight loss coach, and we adjusted my diet with the shakes. We'll see next Wednesday if it worked. If not, I'll try something else.

changes

My weight loss coach has changed my diet for the next week. I will have two Herbalife healthy meal shakes, one small snack that's high in protein (cottage cheese or couple boiled eggs), and 20 servings of water a day. I am going to try.

quote of the day part 2

Don't fool yourself into believing what was familiar was fantastic. Life can be really exciting when you realize no one has to settle.

advise from Dr Drew Orden

Advise from Dr Orden from Fox's The Doctors:
When it comes to healthy looking skin, did you know that what you put in your diet is just as important as what you put on your skin? Over the next two days we are going to let you know what ten of the best foods are to eat that will help give your skin that radiant glow you desire. 
 

My Soda Addiction

I've been addicted to Pepsi and the Pepsi family for about a decade and a half. Every time I tried to quit, they come out with a new product (i.e. Diet Pepsi Jazz's, Red Code Mtn Dew, etc.) that draws me back. Then I got to taste it. It's like PepsiCo knows. Do their sales drop drastically whenever I try to quit? Now, our local grocery store is advertising Pepsi Next. This is the first time I will not be trying the new product. I sure hope the PepsiCo company doesn't go under because of this. lol

quote of the day

The only way to get out of trouble is to do the opposite of what you did to get into trouble. –Joyce Meyers

Our excuses

 We can come up with every excuse we can think of, but at the end of the day... we need to take responsibility for ourselves. I gained a couple pounds these past couple of weeks. I've been drinking almond milk, because I thought it was healthier than cow milk. WRONG! I didn't read the label like I should have, almond milk is full of sugar. I thought I was doing good, but I couldn't understand why I gained instead of lost. I have no one to blame but myself. I went out this weekend and got skim milk. I'm hoping that the scale will be nicer to me tomorrow night at the weigh in.

quote of the day part 3

quote of the day part 3

To get through the hardest journey we need take only ONE step at a time, but we MUST keep on stepping - Chinese Proverb

quote of the day part 2

Garfield: Diet is "die" with a "t."

quote of the day

quote of the day part 3

DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY... Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering. - Don Miguel Ruiz

7/3 Challenge part 3

It's the last day of my weight loss coach's 7/3 challenge. For brunch, I had a huge omelet with spinach, mini sweet peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic. For dinner, I made spaghetti. I used Ragu Chunky Garden Combination pasta sauce (contains 2 servings of veggies) and I blended in carrots, spinach, garlic, onions, and mini sweet peppers. For dessert, we'll have Greek yogurt with blackberries and strawberries.

quote of the day part 2

"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that is your own self."– Aldous Huxley

quote of the day

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. - Joshua J. Marine

7/3 Challenge part 2

This is the second day of my weight loss coach's 7/3 challenge. Today is St Pat's day, so I made Irish Beef Stew with a lot of veggies. For dessert, we're having our "special sundaes". They're made with multi-grain waffles, Greek yogurt, and fresh berries. Chloe chose green cauliflower (cross-bred with broccoli) to be her special snack.

quote of the day

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. – Helen Keller

BEAT THE HEAT? ALREADY?

I don't know what it's like in your part of the world, but it's still "Winter" here. Or it's supposed to be. It's St Patrick's Day, and people are wearing t-shirts and shorts. Right now it's 80 degrees, we're breaking records. We had an actual Winter for only a few days. This has me worried about when Summer gets here. Drink a lot of water. I'm already getting Chloe and myself to getting used to drinking mostly water. If you invest in a filter pitcher, you can save money on bottled water. I know with the heat, you may not want to keep up with exercising. If you have good air conditioning, look to getting a Wii or Xbox with Kinect. That will provide a fun way to exercise. If you can get to a pool or lake (or some body of water), swimming is a good workout. I am not good at swimming, but I found that exercising in water is also good. Not only is it cooler, but there's also easier on the joints. There are always deals online for a hotel stay (cheaper on week nights), and some have indoor pools and exercise rooms. What ever you chose, stay cool and drink lots of water.

quote of the day

Bob Harper: Fitness and nutrition are equally important. It's a combination of the two that will deliver results.

7/3 Challenge

My weight loss coach gave our class a challenge. We have to eat 7 fruits and vegetables (mostly veg) a day for three days (Fri, Sat, & Sun). She also suggested that I eat at least 2 eggs a day. Today, I made a 4 egg and cheese omlette skillet with purple cauliflower, garlic, onion, mushrooms, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and a yellow bell pepper. I divided that over two meals (got to eat every 3-4 waking hours). Both of today's meal protein shake were made with a cup of strawberries each. DELISH! Chloe and I call it the "Rainbow Skillet". Tonight, I'll snack on a big salad with almonds.

SHAKE, SHAKE IT UP!

My Herbalife protein shake helps me lose weight a lot, but I'd get bored and stop drinking it everyday. I can't afford to buy every flavor of the shake mix to change it up everyday. I got the vanilla, and I add to it . My weight loss cough runs an Herbalife center, and they make amazing creations out of the shakes. She gave me some of her recipes, and I've been creating some of my own. Today, I made my shake with a tablespoon of sugar-free raspberry sherbet and half a cup of frozen strawberries. I tastes like a smoothie. Protein is extremely important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Just remember, if it gets boring--SHAKE, SHAKE IT UP!

just looking back

When Chloe and I went home a couple weeks ago for my parents' wedding, I was looking through old family photos. I found this old one of me when I was skinny. I brought it home to remind me that I am capable of looking good... and I will again.

got news

Tonight, I put on a seat belt for the first time in ages. Plus, my "skinny" pants are now loose. WOO HOO!

baking

Someone in my weight loss class was looking for a not-so-naughty way of baking a birthday cake. Luckily, Hungry Girl came up with a 2-ingredient way of baking a low fat/cal cake. Just take the cake mix and add a can of diet soda, applesauce, can of pumpkin, etc. You can mix and match the cake mixes with what you're adding it with to experiment with different flavors. Sometimes I make choc-fudge with diet cherry soda for a bon-bon flavor. Today, I'm baking using this method to make devil's food cupcakes that I made with Greek yogurt. It tastes so chocolatey. I also found a light vanilla frosting recipe that's only 35 calories. Mix together 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup Splenda, 2 TBSP low-fat margrine, 1 1/2 tsp skim milk, and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract. I'm adding green food coloring for a St Patrick's Day theme. In the words of Mr Food, "Ooo, it's so good."

quote of the day part 3

quote of the day part 2

It always seems impossible until it's done. -- Nelson Mandela

quote of the day

Watch thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. --Unknown.

quote of the day

quote of the day part 3

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt

quote of the day pt 2

humor of the day

quote of the day

Sometimes life is all about perspective... I'm not living the life I thought I would lead, but it does have meaning, purpose. There is love... there is joy... there is laughter. - Christopher Reeve

Prayer of the day

Lord, give us the wisdom to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks. Amen

quote of the day part 4

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. - Henri Nouwen

quote of the day part 3

“If we only have the will to walk, then God is pleased with our stumbles.”
- C.S. Lewis

scripture of the day

‎~ Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing ! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

quote of the day

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." 
~Martha Washington

quote of the day part 2

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. - Helen Keller

photo/quote of the day

quote of the day

Don't fool yourself into believing what was familiar was fantastic. Life can be really exciting when you realize no one has to settle.

humor of the day

STILL DEALING WITH JUNK IN THE TRUNK?

a fun way to exercise

A fun way to exercise to to walk or play with your pet. Chloe and I don't have any pets, so we will be volunteering at our local animal shelter. There, of course, other reasons for this. Chloe wants to have a pet, but she gets too excited around animals. This will be a good way for her to learn the correct way to take care of a pet before having one. Plus, it also gives these animals some love and helps them get used to being handled by adults and children before they are adopted.

tonight's weigh-in

Tonight's weigh-in did not go so well. I wasn't very good when I went home for the weekend, but that's OK. There will be times where I will stumble and fall, but those times I will also get back up and push forward. I AM GOING TO SUCCEED!

picture/quote of the day part 2

humor

Here's a little humor to help your journey go by easier.

photo/quote of the day

inspiration

quote of the day

The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It's your mind you have to convince. - Vincent Lombardi

WOO HOO

*dancing and singing like Dora* I did it! I did it!

My weight loss coach asked me to try and go without soda for three weeks. I have completed that challenge and am waiting for another.

quote of the day

‎"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." -Paulo Coelho

one amazing weekend

This past Saturday was my parents' 40th anniversary. They wanted to renew their vows but couldn't afford to. So when they went to a hotel instead on Friday night, our family and friends turned their house into a wedding chapel. Chloe and I went to Chicago without Mom and Dad knowing. I loved how each one of us used our special gifts or talents to put together an amazing event. My parents were so surprised. It was so fun.

One thing that is extremely important to living a happy, healthy life is family. Make sure you 

"Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often!"

This is their wedding video... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB4bX4hIjus&feature=youtu.be

quote of the day

One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. - Lucille Ball

This week's weigh-in

Feb 15--333 LBs
Feb 22--330.6 LBs
Feb 29--322.2 LBs

Just about 11 pounds in 2 weeks. WOO HOO!