Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Day 3- Weight Loss Challenge

So I am making my way through day 3 of my weight loss challenge. I have to say that it is hard.......HARD!!! ;-) Actually, it's probably not as hard as I tend to make it out to be, but it certainly is not fun. I guess when I check the scales on Friday I am hoping for some progress--at least to feel like my hard work pays off. What I am trying to do is cut WAY down on my portion sizes and eat more veggies and fruits. This is also a bit difficult because there are so many calories in many of the foods we eat today including but not limited to: yogurt, cottage cheese, crackers, etc. and they do not even fill you up. Any suggestions on healthy snacks that are high in fiber, low in carbs and low in cals?

Yesterday I was supposed to meet with a personal trainer (who by the way didn't show up because they failed to tell her she had the appointment). So, I have to reschedule for another time soon. I am hoping to get some good pointers though. There was another trainer at the gym walking around yesterday asking if anyone wanted to sign up for free nutrition classes, so hopefully I will learn more there as well.

Anyway, last night I made a Weight Watchers meal. I have made this before, just not WW style. Here is the recipe if any of you are interested. I thought it was pretty yummy. I didn't have the low fat cheese that it calls for, so I just added a bit more of the Parm. Cheese. That is also something hard to find in the stores (Fat Free Parm. Cheese). All I could find was Low fat. Sooo... I guestimated on the calories and added more calories to the meal than it said because my ingredients didn't match perfectly with theirs.

Goulash Casserole
1 pound ground beef, extra lean - browned and drained
1 cup onion - chopped
1 clove garlic - minced
14 ounces Pasta Sauce, 5 Brothers, Fresh Tomato and Basil
8 ounces tomato sauce
6 ounces tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup corn, frozen
7 ounces Rotini - cooked and drained
10 ounces spinach, frozen - thawed and drained
1/2 cup Egg Beaters¨ 99% Egg Substitute
4 ounces cheddar cheese, lowfat -- shredded
2 slices Bread, Light 7 Grain, Pepperidge Farm -- crumbled
1/4 cup Fat-free Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 13 inch by 9 inch by 2 inch cake pan. In large saucepan over medium heat, cook beef, onion and garlic until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Drain. Add the next 8 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in pasta, spinach, egg substitute, shredded cheese and bread crumbs. Stir to combine.

Pour into prepared cake pan. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350° F. for 30 to 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into 12 equal servings. Can freeze leftovers.

Serves 12.

Per serving: 246 Calories (kcal); 8g Total Fat; (29% calories from fat); 16g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 30mg Cholesterol; 613mg Sodium Fiber: 4
Food Exchanges: 1 Grain (Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

WW Points: 5 pt.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Weight Loss week 1

So, last week I did horrible on watching what I eat and doing excersize. I played Volley Ball last Monday, but that was it. Ugh!!

Yesterday was Day #1 of getting back on the band wagon. I made good and bad choices yesterday in my eating. For example: All of my food that I ate was perfectly fine, I just shouldn't have had that can of sugary Pepsi which cost me 150 calories down the drain---- literally. ;-(

So, today I am really watching my portions and trying hard to eat the right snacks. By the way, has anyone ever had "Happy Cow Cheese"? I have been eating the light version and it is sooooooo yummy. I eat the cheese with Garlic Herb flavored "All Bran crackers". Supper yummy and it certainly takes the hunger pains away.

Tonight I go back to the gym and meet with a personal trainer. We get 2 fee visits with a trainer with our membership, and I have been at this gym for over a year and have never used it. Now is the time to get serious. Depending on finances, I may even hire them to continue to train me, but we will see.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Summer Fun....

I have to shout out that I absolutely love summer. Now, I am not talking about the sweltering heat-- you know, the type of heat that pours sweat down into your eyes and creates the big huge wet blotch in the middle of your back? Yup- not that type of heat. No, I am talking about the opportunities that summer brings our way.

I went to a volley ball event with a bunch of church friends at a local park. The weather was absolutely phenomenal! I remember playing VB in Arizona in high school and absolutely loving it. I need to seriously practice my bump-set-spike and my serves, but still I love it. I played the game barefoot and it was glorious!

This is what I love about summer. We get to play outside and eat yummy BBQ. Enjoy morning or evening walks, play volley ball in the park or even go swimming. How about Frisbee or out door movies?

I decided that this year was going to be a year of new beginnings--a year where dead dreams and visions come back to life. What a better way to start this process then to get a yearly fishing pass? I was so excited when my roommate and I decided to do this together. I didn’t have a fishing pole, tackle box or anything that goes on the fishing line. So, we headed off to Wal-Mart and low and behold, they had the PINK pole that I was wanting!!!! Yes you heard me right, PINK. LOL! ;-) I wanted a pink tackle box to go with it but they didn’t have any, so I bought one that had red in it. If you are wondering if PINK is my favorite color, well it’s not. I actually wanted a pole that color because I thought it was funny. Most people have “Manly” colored rods, but I wanted to be different. In a way, it was part of my creative side to throw out a splash of color.

Anyway, we went fishing at Rampart Reservoir. It was an amazing place. The trees were plush green with blue waters. A bit of a breeze came in so it made the heat not so unbearable. Monika and I sat were out there for several hours talking and reading. I got 3 nibbles on my line but no bites. Then, just before we were about to leave, Monika got a bite that almost pulled her pole out of her chair. She had just gotten up to put something away and then her pole started bending. I wish you were all there to see our first catch. We were probably the loudest people on the whole lake—we were sooooo excited. The fish was a 13 incher and we ate it last night. So yummy! I can’t wait to catch more fish soon.
So, what are your dreams for this summer? Do you have any special plans? What would you like to do that you haven’t done in a long time? Please share. I love hearing your stories too.







Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Vision Painting-Take One

I am very excited about this particular blog post because I get to reveal to you a prophetic vision God gave me a long time ago. He continues to give me many visions, especially while I am in worship, but this particular vision has come back often. Every time I see it, He show's me different aspects of His heart.

Although the painting is by far perfect if I were to compare it to what I am actually seeing in my head, it is perfect in the fact that I was able to put it on canvas!!!! WOW! I have been sooo intimidated for years of painting from just out of my head and heart with the flow of the Holy Spirit, verses finding a dance painting out in cyberspace and trying to paint that. I am always getting frustrated with my paintings because I can't get the skin right, or the head is too small for the body, or this proportion or that angle is all wrong!!!! Grrrr..... This time, I can see past the imperfections and get excited because I went with obedience and painted from GOD, and not MYSELF. ;-)

So, here is my interpretation of the picture that I received......

I believe that it is Gods heart to father the fatherless, care for the hurting, the broken heart's, the sick, and comfort those who have no one else to care for them. God has given me only a small, incy tincy glimpse into His Father Heart. This picture portrays His loving hands scooping up a broken vessel. The vessel/person is now resting in Him, being restored and renewed.

The picture of the world represents every person on earth-- no one is left behind.
The broken pottery bellow the hands represents the old person falling away while the new person is resting in His hands.

Here are just some different views of the same painting. I wanted you to capture all of the details.


Friday, June 18, 2010

A new start...

So yesterday I began my calorie counting. A friend of mine at work sent me this spreadsheet that helps calculate all of your calories for the day, but also has a bunch of food items already programed into it to make it easier. I love it, so along with the online Calorie Counter and this spreadsheet, it makes life a bit easier. Oh yeah, and my friend gave me a calorie book to use and I can keep that in my purse. So yesterday for the most part was a pretty good day. Today however didn't start out too well. Here is how it went:

I was gathering all of the items of food for the day including lunch and snacks. Notice that I left off breakfast. I was concentrating so much on what I needed for those times in the day when I knew I would crash from low blood sugar and hunger, I totally forgot breakfast.

So anyway, I also made a lemon pie last night for a work/birthday celebration and had to get that out the door along with everything else. So I left the house and when I was almost to work I realized I totally forgot breakfeast. Geeez~ The only convenient places to go are Starbucks and Breugers Bagels, both of which are HIGH in calories and fat. Ugh!!! So I made a choice, I went to Starbucks.

Now, to all of you readers out there, let me tell you, I LOVE the scones there. They have the most amazing Cranberry Orange scone known to man!! So, what did I do? I got myself a scone and a Tall Skinny White Mocha. You know it!!! It was delicious--until I looked up the calorie count for both items. Get ready for this, are you sitting down?..........Cranberry Orange Scone= 460 calories. Tall Skinny White Mocha= 270 calories. This gives me a grand total for JUST breakfast of 730 calories. YIKES!!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

So, note to self-- I cannot have the starbucks coffee with the scone just anytime I want. Yikes, that is such a waste of calories. Sigh.......But, I think it's ok to do it once in a while, it just takes up half of that day's calorie allowance.

Anyway, I am cruising through the day, and unfortunately will have a higher calorie intake, but I am also still trying to have an even balance of dairy, fruits and veggies. Oh, and remember that I mentioned the Lemon pie earlier? I leaked all over my clothes going out the door ( I didn't notice this until I got to work) and it leaked on my passenger seat in my car. Grrrrrr...... Let's just say it was an emotional start to the day, but I am choosing to not allow it to ruin my entire day.

Thanks for listening. ;-)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Weight Loss

I know I know I know, we hear about weight loss all over the place. But common, soooo many people are struggling with it now-a-days. I am too, and it's really frustrating. I am encouraged though, because I have family and friends who are working on the same goals---becoming healthy and that is what it is really all about, right?

So today I was watching the show "Losing it with Jillian". If you have never watched it, let me tell you, you will cry and laugh and then want to jump up and rush to the gym....like NOW!!!! So, I started eating an apple, which I wasn't hungry for, but I knew that if I went to the gym without some sort of healthy substance in my stomach, I might want to pass out. ;-)

Any who's, while I was watching the show, I realized that for some time when the subject of me losing weight comes up, I have conflicting emotions. One side of me really, really wants to be healthy, skinny, fit and have a great long lasting life. The other side of me, the one that tries to protect itself says "Whats the point?".
I mean, common, "Whats the point???????". The point is, do you want to die or do you want to live? Why is it that I have such a hard time sticking to losing weight?

Here is the reason that I know of right now, but I am sure God will reveal more as I work my way through this. Weight loss isn't just about the pounds and food you put in your mouth. It's about the walls we put up, the boundaries and gates we built and the foundations that were laid earlier on in life, and then moving on to adulthood. Some of these things were healthy, but obviously most of them were not. If they were all healthy, then I wouldn't be in the place I am in today, now would I?
I am not trying to beat myself up here. I am just trying to be honest and come to some reality that it is all more than I myself can handle. I can be in control of what I eat and how often I work out. But what about the emotional and mental stuff? I can't do that on my own. I do have to be willing to give it up to have a better life.

Anyway, I came to this conclusion last night, but it hit me today as I watched the show. It was an O-MY-GOSH moment in realizing that there is a part of me that cannot handle the idea of losing weight because someone might see the real me, or someone might get too close and I might get hurt. But I guess to also face the real news is that regardless if I am skinny or not, all of those things could happen anyway.

Sigh....... I know this will all work out. I am learning every day. I can only take it one day at a time. I can only do one workout out at a time, and eat one apple or salad at a time. Can I cry now????? Alas, this too shall pass.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Obedience

Today, as I was listening to the Dave Ramsey show I got to thinking about obedience. I cannot even tell you how beneficial it is to live life in obedience according to how God has asked us to live. Obedience comes in many forms, it just depends on each person and their purpose according to Gods instructions.

But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience). James 1: 25 (From the Amplifed Bible)

It puts a smile on my face when I realize that because of my obedience, God blesses me in different ways. For example, being obedient in sticking to my budget, I was able to pay off my student loans last month. Then today, I was able to pay my car tags in full without worrying if I had to save up for the payment.

I fall a lot, but then I pick myself up and get back on the budget. I know that if I stick to it long enough, the times that I do fall it won't hurt as much and I won't have to spend as much time trying to fix the mess when I did fall.

The other way I can be obedient is in my diet. You probably read in my last post about my health issues regarding allergies to certain foods. Well, this month I am going to concentrate on not only my budget, but also to what I eat, and make sure that I excersize more. I am so excited to see the results on these things.
More to come.......

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Getting a clue to life.......

This has been a long time in coming, and I have put it off way too long! I have known that I might be allergic to certain foods that I eat, and I am quite certain some of them are yeast, and wheat--maybe even gluten. I am not sure if it is all three, but I will soon be able to tell.

So here's the scoop. For years, since I was a small child I would live in pain with really bad stomach aches either after I ate bread, and sometimes it was a combination of different things like stress and the wrong foods. I just lived with it. Even to this day I just lived with it, thinking this is a norm for me, so well.... just live with it. I don't want to live with it any longer though. I am tired of being in pain, and then having to miss out on things because I feel "toxic" and out of sorts---being constantly bloated and depressed because I do not feel well.

I have decided to lay off bread for the most part and just see how I feel. I was talking to a friend the other day and she suggested that I just eat tortilla's if I feel the need to eat bread, and then if the tortilla's give me pain, then I will know that it could be something else.

Anyway, this is hard for me because I love bread. For so many years I would put what I loved ahead of the need to feel better. I know it's an emotional thing, but I need to do this. It's a bummer. Why do we have to suffer like this? Ugh!!!
But, I am at the point in realizing that my health and the way I live are so much more important than bread. Who would have thunk? Sheesh!

I am thinking of visiting a nutritionist and getting help on figuring this whole thing out. I know so many people have had to remove things like bread, sugar and dairy from their diets because for some reason their body's react differently to them. I know that these people have pushed their way through, and they are better for it. So why can't I? I can do this. I just need a little assistance and God's grace to persevere.