Summer break

 Life has been so busy that I have neglected my blog.  As far as my weight goes, it has really stayed the same.  I'm working at changing that as soon as possible.   My last day of work until August was yesterday, so I can now spend more time on me.  I'm guilty of always putting myself last on the "to-do" list like all other moms/women out there. 

Summer means more cooking and trying out new, healthy recipes.  I've been saving new recipes to try out for the family.  I'm so lucky that my kids love almost all vegetables and fruits.  They are great about trying new recipes. 

We have been experiencing some severe weather in our area the last few days, and I'm so ready for it to clear up.  I did manage to get in some walking but not enough.  I am determined to make time for walking plenty of miles outdoors.

My family stays very busy during the summer with baseball, softball, gymnastics, dance, and other activities, but I'm glad the kids enjoy so many physical activities.  I wish I would have done more physical sports as a child. 

I Think We Have Survived

Well, I think my family and I have survived the flu/sinus season.  It hit each one of us...one by one.  It has been going on for over a month at our house.  First, my son went down with fever and congestion and then my daughter.  I'm not sure what I had either the flu or a wicked sinus infection.  My cough and congestion lingered for nearly three weeks!  Then, disaster struck...my husband got the flu.  Let me tell you that this was the worst!  He is a terrible patient, and it was harder on me than any of the other illnesses.  He is finally on the mend and back to work.

Today, the kids and I had a surprise day off from school and work due to the weather.  I have spent the morning cleaning house and catching up on chores.   It is nice to spend some extra time with the kids.  It is sleeting now but some freezing rain is headed our way this afternoon. We are not headed out anytime soon.

 I put my workout clothes on today, so I could clean and then exercise. I'm thinking I will do some step aerobics and yoga this afternoon.  I may even do The Biggest Loser exercise DVD this evening.  I'm finally feeling healthy and ready to get active! 

Life didn't slow down any during the illnesses but I sure did in the evenings.  Here is a picture from a charity event that I co-sponsored.  I sponsor  a club at work that does volunteer/community service.  We raised money by selling tickets to allow students to wear a hat to school.  The money goes to our local Hospice office.  I can't say enough good things about our local Hospice services.

Glenda the Good Witch Is Right

I have several friends and family members that are trying to lose weight as their New Year's resolution, and I'm so proud of them.   For some of us, it takes awhile to find that strength that is within us all.  My message to anyone trying to lose weight is to find that inner strength and willpower  because it is a tough battle.  There are temptations and just the stress of everyday life at every turn. 

I've mentioned on my blog before that I'm not real sure about what was so different at my attempt to lose weight this time, but I know it worked  because I stayed strong.  Now, I have had plenty of setbacks and failures when I've been tempted; however, I never threw my hands up in the air to quit. 

Don't beat yourself up for slip-ups or failures.  Just listen to Glenda, the good witch, and find that strength within you. 

I'm Rolling

Just wanted to do a check-in on my exercise this week.  I had lost my groove when it came to workouts this month.  After much reflection about my chaotic life, I decided that no matter what I would make at least three workouts.  Well...it is Thursday and I already have three in for the week. 

I'm not doing my favorite form of exercise but that's ok.  At least I'm moving and burning some calories.  I've done step aerobics and yoga this week.  One night I was feeling exhausted and thought I can skip tonight and still make three workouts, but my daughter said, "Is it time to exercise yet?"  Yes. Yes,  it was time to exercise!  I finished up a chore and got busy with step aerobics. 

On a side note, my eating has been great this week.  I'm staying under calorie and keeping my night snack to a piece of fruit.  Evening snacks are my biggest enemy especially during the winter.  During the warmer months, we stay outside for several hours during the evening, so there is little downtime before bed.  That equals less grazing for a snack(s) before bed.  When it gets dark so early, that means there is a lot more time in the house.  For me that means more time to be tempted to make my way to the kitchen. 

I hope to stay rolling and moving toward my goals.  Still haven't decided about a gym just yet...

Challenge needed for Change

I know I've been too lax in my eating and exercising.  There are a myriad of reasons for both lately.  Umm... should I say reasons or excuses?  Some are real reasons: e.g. wicked sinus infection that won't go away.  Some are excuses: too tired to workout after a crazy work and family schedule.  I need to find a new way to challenge myself.  I'm up a pound, down a pound, stay the same, and the cycle goes on for my weight loss. 

I just mentioned to my mom that I should join a gym until Spring.  Around March, I will be able to fit in a walk/jog before sunset.  I don't get home from work until evening time, so right now there isn't enough daylight for working out outside.  My mom's response was when are you going to go?  Good question Mom, good question.  It would probably be around 7:30 p.m. or 8:00 before I could get out the door to go to the gym.  To be honest, I'm usually wiped out by then. 

I guess I need to set a new challenge for myself with both food and exercise. More to come on those new challenges and hopefully goals. I'll need to think of a fun exercise gadget or other "prize" for meeting my challenges.

Satisfaction

I had a late night conference at work last night.  My supervisor bought pizza for everyone.  By the time I had a chance to eat, the pizza was cold and overcooked to top it off.  As I ate a few square of it, I already knew that it wasn't satisfying.  It didn't really taste good and I knew that it wasn't going to satisfy my brain for my dinner.

My question is this: why did I continue to eat it when I knew it wasn't satisfying or enjoyable to eat?  Do you ever find yourself eating something that isn't even good or what you want to eat?  I had this conversation with a co-worker today and she said the same thing. The pizza was cold and didn't taste good so she went home to eat some more. Me too!  I found myself eating Hickory Farms sausage and cheese with my husband.  Normally, I wouldn't eat  a high fat snack at night.  However,  I felt "cheated" at dinner.  I was looking for something to satisfy my brain.  I wasn't real hungry but felt like I needed a snack before bed.  I ended up overeating and surpassing my calories for sure.

Lesson learned: if it doesn't taste good or it isn't want I want to eat, just say no.

Finally a pound down

 

Why is it that it takes very little time to gain a pound but forever to take it off!!!  I went up a pound about two weeks ago and finally at today's weigh in it was gone.  Good riddance.  I sometimes feel like I am running in circles on the scale.  It was nice when I had a lot of weight to lose and those numbers kept right on rolling by but now it is much slower. 

So I've just been working and not getting too worked up about that pound.  I want to use the scale to stay accountable but not obsessive about my weight.  Been there done that, not going back.  I could easily let myself get wrapped up in that number and not be healthy about it. 

I did make an awesome weight watchers chicken stroganoff this week.  I sent the leftovers with my mom to work for her to share with a friend.  They both really enjoyed it as well.  It is real simple and I just left it all day in the crock pot.  I am all about the crock.  I leave around 7am for work and don't get back home until late in the evening. I love recipes that can be left all day and require little prep to get to the table.

Recipe:
1 lb boneless chicken breasts
1 or 2 cans of 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
16oz container of fat free sour cream
Leave it all in the crock pot on low for 6 hours
I then shredded the chicken mixture and poured it over No Yolk noodles.