good morning slash...
ooooo my .... snow! its going to be 78 here today! i visited colorado in the summer of 2006, went camping in denver, well golden, at the state park, and also went to estes part, and its gorgeous there! but i don't think i could stand the cold weather much! yikes!! i did see some mountain rams and a moose! :)

taking the pictures was facing reality. how did i ever let myself get this fat? the funny thing is....when i look into the mirror i don't look this fat! i guess its because i cant see the backside. but the real eye opener was when i turned sideways...i was as broad as the door opening. i stood in front of the closed door, and my back was at one door jam and my tummy at the other! i get tears in my eyes now just thinking about that again. reality is scary sometimes.

wow...it feels good to write about it and know someone else understands. as i have been reading so much about what works and what doesn't, one thing stands out...that works...and that is having a buddy system. i tried posting on craigs-list for a weight loss buddy and had about 13-14 responses...but each time i mentioned getting together to ride bikes, or do aerobics, everyone made excuses...for over three weeks...well, i don't need someone to make excuses, i need someone as committed as i am, and want to stay....and that is what led me here....and i am soooo blessed

thank you ALL for your encouraging words and support...
I CAN DO THIS!

rainbowsmiles

Hi Cydegirl....
Don't you just love music! I have always said that you can have my tv, but never ever can you have my music!

I like oatmeal. Only, I never seem satisfied eating just oatmeal! I have been trying hard to come up with better choices for breakfast...as everything I have read says that eating breakfast is the most important choice of eating for the day. I try hard to make sure I get my protein in. Its easy to have breads and dairy....but finding ways to have veggies and protein ... that has become my challenge.

This morning I had what I am calling Spicy Spinach Spirals. (say that fast four or five times!!) They came out to the nutritional value (for 5 spirals) of 157 calories, 8 fat grams, 9 carbs, 5 fiber, 1 sugar, and 16 protein. I feasted on five spirals, 5 cherry tomatoes, 3 laughing cow swiss bites and a sunsweet prune! (tasty and sweet) Easy to make too. Sometimes when I make up a recipe, it turns out a real keeper. This one is most certainly a keeper. For me, I have to keep it interesting. Plus, making something special, takes time, and then I don't think of breakfast and then scarf it down and then its gone! haha I have focused on having 5 mini meals all day, ocassionally 6. Breakfast, Mid-morning lift (not a snack....as having a snack seems sneaky to me...haha but a LIFT is giving my body a nutritional lift...i know...its all relative but for me it works) Lunch, Mid-afternoon lift, and supper. Ocassionally a lift after supper but I try not to eat anything after 7pm....only tea.

What are some of ALL OF YOUR favorite things to enjoy eating...
rainbowsmiles

Yay Clyde! I'm proud of you!

The cookies are tempting. So instead I go look in the mirror at my Flabs of Steel and the temptation goes away immediately. What a little dose of reality will do.

I love to make spinach scrambled eggs for breakfast. A little garlic, Parmesan, some cream cheese and lots and lots of spinach - maybe some mushrooms and some ground black pepper. Pair with some V8 juice or some tomatoes and and a complex carb and I'm set.

I love oatmeal and crave carbs, but it kills my blood sugar. Stays too high for too long, but I seem to do well with the eggs.

I'm heading to Houston today for a roadtrip and I'm determined to figure out some way to workout. I've been feeling pretty good, so I don't want to lose the momentum.

Thank you all for the kind welcome and all the support. I know I don't have time to go to local meetings, so I really appreciate having a sounding board with people who understand.

Hope you all have a superfantastic day!!!

Deb
aka JaneZ

Hi JaneZoe....that recipe sounds great for breakfast....can you tell me how you make it?? With raw or cooked spinach? Recipe please :)
thanks
rainbowsmiles

For breakfast I've been having half a grapefruit, oatmeal made with milk and a banana. It fills me up and I need to lower my cholesterol.

yummm clydegirl i love pink grapefruit...i like to just peel aand eat it! I make sure i peel all the pith away as that part is bitter, even the bits between the grapefruit wedges.

My favorite way to start the day is with oatmeal made with skim milk, cinnamon, honey, walnuts and raisins. Sadly, I get hungry very soon after this. So it's used more as a treat. Most days I start with eggs. Usually scrambled with onions, peppers, grape tomatoes, ground pepper, garlic powder, paprika, sprinkle of parmesan (like Kra_t) one slice of toast w/ real butter ; ) I usually eat this between 9 and 10 and it holds me until about 2pm. I know they say small meals more often are better, but 2 bigger ones and a lighter evening meal has worked best for me. The lighter evening meal leaves room for a glass of red wine. That's what it's all about. Finding what works best for ourselves.
Rainbow, to address the exercise buddy. Finding one can be really helpful. I have a girlfriend that likes to walk too. She can't walk as many days as I want, but even having her join me a couple times a week is helpful. What has worked for me though is joining one of the exercise threads here at 3FC. I'm currently in the February Walk Run Challenge. We only challenge ourselves to walk so many miles in the month and then post our progress. We range from a sub 4 marathon runner, who has topped more than 100 miles every month I've been a part of it, to beginners wanting to walk 30 miles this month. I get some encouragment and it's a way to hold myself accountable.
I'm doing a pilates tape and walking 3 miles today. The forcast is for 4-12 inches of snow in my area tonight. We're just inches from breaking the all time high record for amt. of snow. I say, let's go for it!!!

Hi Lovn...
I too love Oatmeal but found myself in a similar situation to you...enjoying a nice healthy serving but feeling hungry soon afterwards...and I find that with cold cereals too...so I have been trying to incorporate protein in my morning meal as much as possible. Eggs work for me too, either with non-stick spray or boiled. I have never been a fan of scrambled eggs but your idea above sounds good I might try them again prepared that way.

I too use "real" butter...only less of it when I want it, and Olive Oil or Canola Oil...and the Olive Oil spray. I just love creating healthy recipes. I found the Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage to be pretty tasty. I make little Sausage Canapes...one slice toast, cut into forths, each piece spread with a tiny bit of tomato pesto. I take 2 Turkey Sausages and cut them into half "round" ways to make 4 circles. I top the pesto toast with the turkey. I slice a hard boiled egg into 4 even rounds...and a roma tomato into four round slices and then top the turkey with the tomato and the egg slices. Then I top the tomato with a tiny dollop of the laughing cow lite swiss bites and a tiny sliver of roasted red peppers. (out of the jar) This makes 4 "turkey canapes." Even my hubby loves these!...and I get my protein! Send more ideas...I love them!
cheerio
rainbowsmiles

I love oatmeal but for the amount I get to eat in a serving, it fills me up and I am not hungry until hours later, there are just to many carbs for my liking. I eat it on Saturday mornings only now. Don't know if any of you know this but Jimmy Deans has a lower fat sausage out " Jimmy Deans 50% less fat than his regular sausage. It tastes great, does come in a smaller package 12 oz instead of 16.

Here is an example of my normal pre breakfast and breakfast is: Couple of egg whites scrambled with 1 serving of the lower fat sausage ( cut this up in small pieces and add to the scrambled eggs seems like there is a lot of it to eat instead of in just one piece and 1/8 cut shredded mild cheddar, couple buckwheat pancakes ( happen to like Aunt Jemima ), spray butter for the pancakes, 4 oz orange juice, apple, sugar free log cabin syrup, stuff tastes great and who on earth uses 1/4 cup of syrup on a couple pancakes ( that is the serving size 1/4 cup ). All this fills in the required amounts of the four basic food groups real well, is pretty low in fat and carbs for the amount of food eaten and takes me until pre lunch time to eat lol.


Rainbows
I eat butter. If I am going to cook or bake I use REAL butter. I have a real real hard time getting in the 6 required amounts of the bread and cereal group in a day. 4 I can do no problem usually can't seem to get 6 of them in. I eat just tons of celery. Keeps my mouth busy and is a great way to help fill in that 3 required veggie group. How do you make the spinach things? I try for 6 meals a day. pre breakfast, breakfast, pre lunch, lunch, pre dinner, dinner and then a snack. Think you have to post so many times before you can have a ticker. Then you just click on user cp and then edit ticker, you will find instructions there.

lovn
I didn't know about that thread. I probably walk 60 miles a month at the least. Heck yesterday was 10 miles lol. They are all 1 mile videos or I do the first mile of the video. I have about 25 Leslie videos lol. There are a few I want that I haven't found yet. Going to try to do that today. Oh my gosh at 3am I was wired for sound. Had so much energy didn't know what to do with it all. Was tired but a good tired. I was walking around the house TRYING to find something to do in the middle of the night lol. I think our snow time is gone, I could be wrong. We had our one big storm that gave us a few inches. Now it is 60 today I think. OH MY GOSH don't even mention thin mints lol I love those things. Your a thin mint girl huh, don't stand sideways we won't be able to see you lol. Yes, it is funny isn't it. I don't like PB but I love those cookies lol. Nope I don't drink water very often. I drink tea ( maybe 32 oz ), I drink ( just found it ) south beach strawberry/banana drink ( maybe 32 oz ). I might have 8 oz of clear water a day MAYBE lol. One or twice a week I have a 12 oz can of Mountain dew. Doc said clear water is highly over rated lol. I get enough fluid in all that I eat and drink. My biggest thing is getting the required amounts of the four basic food groups in and staying within the amounts I have set for myself for calories, fat and carbs.

Jane
For some people mirrors are great. They give a dose of reality. For me they are no good. I don't look much different to me than I did almost 45lbs ago. Laying in bed I raise my legs. I can see by looking at my legs how much weight I have lost. Only thing that works for me so far.

Clyde
Nice going getting rid of that donut. Oatmeal is so good for us :)

Slash
Hubby took some pics of me in the shower that I didn't know about. He said when I hit goal he is going to show them to me. I keep saying I don't look any different really. He keeps saying my gosh there isn't much of you left. You get done losing weight I am going to have to keep you in a baggie so I can find you lol. He likes me to make him dinner as you can see lol. I do a weigh in every other week and that is it. So far I have always lost at least 2lbs per two weeks. Weight fluctuates to much for me to be looking at it more often. Don't get down about the scale. You know where you are and now is the time to climb on the wagon seat ( put a pillow under your tush ) grab the reins and point the horses in the direction you want to go.

Greetings and salutations! I'm seriously avoiding a really tedious project at work, so thought I'd check in.

Chris, how's your faith? Building it back up? Life throws lots of curve balls, you need the faith to keep going. It will get better.

Rennie, OMG girl! You rock. When I grow up I want to be as self aware and centered as you appear to be. I'm still mostly fractured and stressed, not good.

Clyde, I have to admit sugar free jello seems to send me on munch fests. You managed to only have pretzels and water with it? And you threw away the donut? Good for you. May not have been totally OP but hey, it sure doesn't read like a major disaster!

Jane, Rainbow, welcome, welcome, welcome. More fun!

A side story -- once upon a time my Mom was the GS cookie chairperson. We had cases upon cases stacked all over the blessed house. We had a German Shepard at the time, he'd growl whenever we handed out the cases of the PB cookies. Those were his favorites, he seemed to think he'd get to keep them all. Scared the living daylights out of several of the younger scouts! Because we had tons, Mom bought too many. Loaded the freezer with boxes. This was in the real old days, when the boxes had the printed wrapper, you had to open the wrapper to get to the box. Anybody remember those? Anyway, a few months later Mom was hosting a meeting with all the troup leaders for who knows what. She made several pots of tea, went to get some cookies out to have available, and every single sealed box of cookies was empty. Seems my older brother had figured out exactly how to open a box without tearing or ripping the wrapper, then how many seconds to hold a lit match under the glue spots to "reseal" the wrappers. He'd slowly but steadily eaten every single cookie before he got caught. The really good news? He has a son of his own now, who is every bit as ingenious.

snow.....SNOW!!

snow! It is 80 degrees here and I was fortunate enough to spend some time enjoying the sun this afternoon. oh my but I love spring!

rennie...your hubby is going to place you in a baggie...haha...that is funny! do they make 2 ton baggies for me?

i made the spinach spirals using the new flat out wraps. i found them by the deli...only 90 calories and 9 protein :) i used one of those, and spread a thin layer of the cheese, using the laughing cow lite garlic and herb swiss wedge...then i layered the whole flat in a layer of raw spinach leaves...(i removed the tougher end stem) that way the wrap rolls nicely. i then topped it with 1 slice (1 oz) boars head over roasted turkey, 3 very thin slices (1 oz) boars head black forest ham and 1 oz of the boars head havarti jalapeno cheese and rolled the whole thing long ways and then sliced into 10 pinwheels. (i sliced off each end that didn't have much filling first) it was really tasty. I had made it in mind to have the whole thing, but 5 pinwheels was filling along with the cherry tomatoes so i saved those five for tomorrow morning. hope you like it.

clydegirl....i made a cool thing with the sugar free strawberry jello mix...i mixed 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup splenda and 2 teaspoons of the strawberry jello, and 1 and 1/2 tbsp cornstarch....and microwaved it for just under a min. it was nice and thick like the strawberry glaze you can get to make strawberry pies with. i then used one of the jacobsens snack toast, spread it with a wee bit of low fat cream cheese and splenda mix, topped it with some fresh strawberries and then drizzled that glaze over it, OMG it was soooooo delicious! tasted better than strawberry pie to me!

kappy that was a funny story about the gs cookies. i love the thin mints the best, right out of the freezer! yummmmmmm

cheerio
rainbowsmiles

No snow today. Sunny skies, but we're not in the 80's here, Rainbow! Maybe the mid 30's. But, little victories... there is sun!

Love the cookie story, Kappy. I remember my friend and I would rob the freezer of the "extra" cookies my mom put in there. She always made homemade cookies in big batches so that she could always have a full cookie jar. Funny how quickly they disappeared. Ha!

As for me, breakfast is just a pain. I love eggs, but I don't give myself enough time to fix any. I am usually running out the door and grab something to eat on the way. The one breakfast that seems to always work for me is a couple of boiled eggs and either some V-8 juice or some fruit. I know that V-8 juice has sodium, but I don't care. I like it and don't drink it all the time. Compared to some of the other things I've had for breakfast in the past, V-8 is a good choice. :D

slash
I use to make big batches of sugar cookies from grandmas recipe. I don't do that anymore. I was the one that ate most of them. Oh my gosh I loved those things lol. If i had to drink v8 I would just die. Just how the stuff looks makes me not want to drink it lol. My kids love it.

rainbow
You make me laugh. Now don't talk like that about yourself. You wait will be no time at all and we will be saying the same thing about you. How we are going to put you in one of those snack baggies lol. When you think about how long it is taking to get the weight off. Think about it a different way. Think about how long the weight as been on. Isn't taking any time at all to get if off comparatively. Wonder how much fat and carbs are in your spinach spirals and how they would taste without the spinach lolol. Oh, I asked him if he was going to poke air holes in the bag. He just smiled.

Kappy
Hmmm self centered. Not sure I like that idea lol. I have just spend all my life taking care of everyone else and NOW it is my turn. I couldn't stand how I looked, I couldn't stand how I felt and I wasn't going to get anywhere putting everyone else first. I have found if I don't stick to putting me first I end up in about 100th place. It still happens. This being first is hard work. Funny story, I love it. My daughters first year in brownies she sold 1000 boxes. I am not talking mom and dad took order forms to work. That is crap and I don't believe in it. She went store to store door to door ( with me of course ) and sold cookies. She was so darn cute even the guys in their 20's, who work next door to us, bought 6 boxes apiece from her because she said she would cry if they didn't lol. Oh my gosh when they dropped off our cookie order I swore I never wanted to see another cookie again. We were lucky everyone paid for the cookies they bought.

hi rennie....
oooo i am not a spinach fan at all! but i have found that i can tolerate it raw, but not cooked! green slimy ewwwwy!
for the 5 pinwheels here are the stats
157 calories
9 grams fat
9 grams carbs
5 grams fiber
1 gram sugar
17 grams protein

(double that if you eat all ten)

I took another wrap, spread with the regular swiss cheese wedge, layered the spinach leaves, and then sprinkled with chopped green onions, 1/2 ounce gruyere cheese (yum smoky flavor) added some roasted red pepper strips and grilled with olive oil spray and made a quesadilla and it was yummy too!

i am so happy to find ways to eat spinach...as it is so low in calories.

slash, i tried v8 but don't like it much. but i don’t have any trouble getting in my veggies amount for the day. my favorite is grilled veggies...i just cut up whatever i have....yellow squash, zucchini, onions, orange bell peppers, cauliflower, and a few potatoes....drizzle all with about 1-2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast in the over for about an hour....yum!

one of my hardest food groups to meet the requirements for is protein. i am a starch eater! i love bread, rolls, pasta, rice, potatoes, crackers, etc....even the starchy veggies...like corn! in the past if i went back for seconds, it was always for a starch. now, i am trying hard to focus on what my body desires to eat in order to be satisfied. do i want something sweet? savory? i find that nothing is worse than having something to eat and then not feeling satisfied and then wanting to search for something else to eat!

tomorrow is week 5. i can feel my energy level waning and while i had a great month....the thought of doing this for perhaps 2 years....is daunting to say the least.....please someone tell me how to stay motivated????

peace
rainbowsmiles :)