After losing so much weight, I was tired of wearing the baggie stuff so I bought some transitional clothing that fits.
The other day I felt like just slouching around and found an old pair of my “big” jeans. Slipped them on and went comfy for the day.
You know what it did for me? Reminded me how far I had come. I think the right size clothes made me forget for a while just how much weight I had lost. I could go swimming in those jeans now.
Looking better in the new clothes was good, but it didn’t give me the boost that putting on a pair of jeans that were way too big and reminding me just how large I had gotten.
I think I am going to slip on those jeans a couple times a month, just to remind myself how far I have come. I certainly never want to fill those jeans out again.
Move, Track, and Stay on Point!!
The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi
Posted on March 26th, 2011 by lovestosmile
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I learned a long time ago that if I drink coffee after noon, I will be up half the night. So I don’t do caffeinated diet beverages either.
This past year I have gotten almost completely away from diet soda opting for water instead.
But this past couple weeks I was craving something fizzy. I discovered Sprite Zero. I was so taken with it that I drank it all the time, all day long. Drinking over a 2 liter a day most days. Opting for that instead of water. After many sleepless nights, I believe soda has too much sodium to allow for a sleepful night. I haven’t drank soda for about three days and slept well for the first time last night in days and days.
I think diet soda is actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing, fooling people into thinking they are doing something good for their body. When in all actuality they are sabotaging their best efforts. The sodium, caffeine and artificial sweetners cannot be good for us.
Also, I find when I am drinking soda, I have a tendency to skip meals and then I fell ravenous later in the day. Not to mention the fact I didn’t have room for my 8 glasses of water when I was drinking so much soda.
I felt cravings for salty when I drink soda too. Not sure that is normal but I wanted to eat peanuts, pretzels and chips while under the influence of soda. Anyone else have that problem?
I think when I want a soda I may opt for half a regular sugared variety, counting that into my points. Maybe just a half a serving. After all we lose best when we do portion control. I know what sugar does to my body. I know I won’t drink too much of the sugared variety.
Move, track and stay on point!
We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.
Author: Chuck Swindoll
Posted on March 25th, 2011 by lovestosmile
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NO Cardboard Here!!
I normally try to stay away from promoting certain brands. I just cannot keep quiet about this pasta I found. It doesn’t taste like cardboard. It tastes like regular pasta. Even my son who won’t touch anything high fiber can’t tell the difference. I found it on line first. Then I was able to find it locally at Kroger. They make all forms of pasta.
This pasta is made so that only a small portion of the carbs are digestible. Years of clinical research led to the development of Dreamfields Pasta. Like traditional pasta, Dreamfields contains 41 grams of carbohydrates per serving. However, its patent-pending formula and unique manufacturing process protects all but 5 grams of carbs in each serving (2 oz. dry) from digestion.
I wanted to share this yummy recipe I tried:
Angel Hair con Tilapia
Ingredients:
1 box Dreamfields Angel Hair
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped green onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup julienne or thickly shredded carrots
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
1 cup (8 ounces) marinara sauce
2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
1 pound tilapia fillets (2 to 4 fillets)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
Directions:
1.Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion, parsley, garlic and carrots; stir well. Add red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
Continue cooking about 5 minutes, until onion is browned, stirring frequently. Add marinara sauce and fresh basil. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2.Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.
3.Place tilapia fillets in skillet. Pour lemon juice and wine over fish. Cook 2 minutes; turn carefully with spatula. Continue cooking 2 minutes or until cooked through (fish flakes easily when tested with fork). Remove from heat. Remove fish from skillet. Cut into 1-inch wide pieces.
4.Drain pasta; toss pasta with sauce in skillet. Gently stir in fish. Top with Parmesan cheese and toasted almonds.
Makes 6 servings.
Note: To toast almonds, spread on rimmed baking pan. Place in 350°F oven 8 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven; cool completely.
Nutrition information (1/6 of recipe): 7 Weight Watcher Points, 440 calories; 28 g protein; 16 g digestible carbohydrates*; 12 g total fat; 3 g saturated fat; 39 mg cholesterol; 325 mg sodium; 8 g total dietary fiber. *If traditional pasta is used in this recipe there is a total of 55 g carbohydrate.
Move, track and stay on point!!
Posted on March 22nd, 2011 by lovestosmile
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I have a tendency to overeat. Duh!! Anyway I found that adding a cup of berries to my serving of cereal in the morning is great!
It makes it seem like more food without adding points and adds a sweetness only the berries could. My breakfast is more satisfying these days.
I switch it up for variety, blueberries one day, some days black or raspberries and some days I choose strawberries. Some days it is a mixture of all of the above.
Simple changes to your diet add some spice and variety to your eating. One by one of these changes, make them habit. Before you know it, you have hundreds of little changes. That making you a healthier eater.
Move, track and stay on point!!
A helping word to one in trouble is often like a switch on a railroad track an inch between wreck and smooth, rolling prosperity.
Henry Ward Beecher
Posted on March 15th, 2011 by lovestosmile
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I want to thank everyone for the encouragement you have given me in my times of struggle. Everyone is so supportive.
Most of the time real life friends and relatives try to understand what we are going through. But it doesn’t mean as much and support from others who are battling the same demons.
With warm weather on the horizon, I plan on doing much more this spring. I have lots of items on my spring activity “to do” list. Have you made yours yet?
Move, Track and Stay on Point!!
“You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.”
Henry Drummond
Posted on March 7th, 2011 by lovestosmile
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I just about quit the Weight Watchers plan. I was never going to the meetings. I convinced myself that I was going to stop because I was on this plateau.
I mulled that over for a couple weeks. I realized that was just another cop out. Just me trying to go back to my old patterns. Patterns that include a slip slide here and there and then I am back on that old track again.
Spring is almost here and I will be fit to be tied if I allow myself to gain this weight back.
I am continuing on line with Weight Watchers. I will look to you for encouragement. I am always willing to give you some if you need it. Just ask.
I do know I have to get up off this lazy behind of mine and start moving. I know that is why I have been on this plateau so long. Move it Teresa. Get up and move. Warm weather is coming so you have no excuses.
I am going to do more this summer. More swimming, start going fishing (fishing doesn’t sound like much exercise but it is more than sitting on that dang computer), generally get out and about more and move, move, move.
Come on people, are you with me?
Move, track and stay on point!!
Posted on March 2nd, 2011 by lovestosmile
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We all remember when we were kids and the Stone Soup story I am sure.
I guess I have turned into a Stone Soup kind of gal.
On Saturday mornings for the past several months it is a ritual to make soup.
I find every veggie I have in the house and toss it in. Some weeks turn out better than others but I love eating soup. Low calories and very filling.
This past weekend my soup consisted of:
2 large chopped onions
5 carrots slithered with peeler and cores chopped
4 small zucchini squash
1/2 bag of broccoli
2 cups of fresh cauliflower
salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder to taste
1 cup fresh cooked black beans
1 can of wax beans
2 frozen green peppers chopped
1 whole frozen tomato (run under hot water to remove peeling)
1 small cans of tomato soup
2 small potatoes peeled and cut into chunks (just because it needs a bit of substance)
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in squares.
I cooked the carrots and onions first until the carrots were soft. Added all the other ingredients, cover with water. Simmer most of the day. I had enough to portion out 11 bowls of soup.
Every week it changes depending on what I have in the house. The tomato soup is something new I added the past few weeks. It really brings all the veggies together.
Sorry I haven’t posted lately. I have been distracted with a new laptop and getting it all set up with all my favorite programs. But I am back now!
Move, Track and Stay on Point!
Posted on February 14th, 2011 by lovestosmile
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I figured my vacation to visit my mother this last couple weeks was going to throw my eating into a tailspin.
It actually got me jump started again. I lost nine pounds in two weeks. Her husband is from California and cooks everything low fat. I think that helped a lot.
I am back and forging ahead. I have to say, hitting the 100 pounds gone mark is taking me a lot longer than I figured it would.
I need to make a point to move more. I think that is my main problem, moving. It is so cold here. Not sure what my excuse is for not doing the treadmill.
If I am going to feel good this spring I have to get moving now.
Hope your last two weeks were productive.
Move, Track, and Stay on Point!
Posted on January 31st, 2011 by lovestosmile
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I fell off the wagon over the holidays. I am not sure what happened. I had all these good intentions. But there were cookies, cakes, and pies all over the place on the holidays. I guess I got it in my head that I had been a good girl for over a year and what would it hurt for me to eat like a normal person for a couple weeks. Oh my goodness. Everyday I wake up with good intentions and fall right back off again around noon. I kind of lost motivation somehow.
I have just been trying to keep up with everything and it is just easier to slip into bad eating habits. I feel ill as a result.
I have to get on the straight and narrow. I don’t want to lose prospective and gain back the weight I have lost so far.
Every time I eat something I know I shouldn’t eat, I see those pictures in my mind of me at my heaviest. Then I get upset and depressed and it makes me go even further off the right path.
I am going to try and buckle down now. I know my trip to visit my mom will get me back to eating right. I am promising myself to go for at least an hour of speed walking a day for the two weeks I am in California.
I am going to ask for your forgiveness, scratch that, I am going to ask for my own forgiveness. We are all human and we all make mistakes. I have to remember these mistakes will be detrimental to my health. But on the other hand, we all have to allow ourselves to make mistakes. Then we have to try and correct our behavior.
It is too bad that our body can’t remind us how horribly we are treating it. Maybe if we felt a gentle tug on our ear or a freezing cold nose as a reminder, we wouldn’t veer so far off course.
Wouldn’t it be great if our bodies would remind us to give up fast food, or start running, or start eating right?
I am not going to allow this falling off the wagon to end my journey. I will not give up on myself.
I will not continue to make bad choices. Just because I had a bad couple weeks, doesn’t mean I have failed.
I fell off the wagon, but I am getting right back on. I will make sure that I start moving and eating right. I need to restock my fridge with fruits and veggies.
I will exercise more but will not exhaust myself. That may tempt me to find comfort in food or to overeat.
I may have fallen off course but I am falling back in line now.
I hope you did better over the holidays than I did.
Move, Track, and Stay on Point!
Posted on January 7th, 2011 by lovestosmile
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Sometimes we make a list of things we want to change on New Year’s eve that is just not realistic. I found a few resolutions worth keeping.
New Year’s Diet Resolution No. 1: Go Slow Resolving to get more fiber in your diet this year? Maybe more fish or fresh fruit? Any diet change is easier if you take slow, small steps. For example:
1. Vow to add a piece of produce to your brown bag lunch daily.
2. Designate a day as fish day.
3. Package up a single serving of your favorite whole-grain cereal, then treat it as your mid morning snack.
New Year’s Diet Resolution No 2: Water, Water, Everywhere Water: It’s cheap, fat-free, and gives your body a quenching boost. Find the idea of eight cups a day daunting? Think small:
1. Drink one glass first thing in the morning, before you brush your teeth.
2. Tempted by more soda? Another glass of wine? Drink a cup of water with a splash of your favorite beverage in it first.
3. Resolve to drink one more cup of water today than you had yesterday.
New Year’s Diet Resolution No. 3: Go for the Gold … and Red … and Purple Colorful produce is packed with disease-fighting plant compounds, so when you shop, reach for a rainbow.
1. Designate a color-a-day. Maybe Mondays are yellow, with grapefruit, golden apples, or corn starring in meals, while Tuesdays are purple with plum and eggplant.
2. Get the kids involved and go for a theme: Build a green pizza with emerald bell peppers and artichokes, or a red produce-infused chili.
3. Vary the rainbow — pick up a new-to-you fruit or veggie the next time you shop.
New Year’s Diet Resolution No 4: Tackle Mindless Munching You’re chatting with friends around the dinner table or watching a DVD — and you just keep nibbling. Try these tips to reign in the munchies:
1. Pop a stick of gum or a sugar-free mint in your mouth.
2. Brush or floss your teeth.
3. Pay attention — look at each piece of food you plan to eat.
4. Busy your hands with a glass of water, a cup of tea, or cleaning off the table.
New Year’s Diet Resolution No 5: Stack the Odds in Your Favor Don’t forget to help yourself succeed, and to reach out for help when you need it.
1. Buddy up with a friend or family member with diet and weight loss resolutions. Then share your ideas, plans, and successes regularly.
2. Leave the temptations — ice cream, chips, soda — at the grocery store. Promise yourself you’ll cater to cravings only outside the home, in one-serving portions.
3. Socialize with non-food events. Get your friends together in the park, for a hike, or at the movies.
Bonus New Year’s Diet Resolution: Baby Your Body Prevention: It’s a lot less daunting than treating a chronic condition, so do the little things that keep your body thriving.
1. Get moving 30 minutes a day most days. Go for a walk, give the car a good scrub, take a hike. Whatever gets the blood pumping qualifies!
2. Get those tests you know you need. Cholesterol checks, prostate exams, pap smears — stay ahead of the game by staying healthy.
3. Get all the snooze-time you need. Sleep helps body and soul recharge, stay healthy, and cope with stress.
Take enough steps and you’ll reach any goal. Resolve to make a few small diet resolutions this year and then just watch how far you’ll go!
Move, track and stay on point!
Wishing everyone a great New Year!
Posted on December 27th, 2010 by lovestosmile
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