Stress and Weight Loss Don’t Mix Well

It’s been a couple of days since I’ve posted and even though I’ve still been keeping to losing weight, it was been very stressful these last few days here. After a breakdown and a good ole crying my eyes out, I am ready to go the next round…haha

On Wednesday, my son turned 17. I think it had more affect on me than it did him. How on earth did my baby get to be 17 years old already!?! Damn, getting teary eyed again…anyhow…….

On a good note for Wednesday, I finally walked the whole way around our hill here. I’ve sat over the years and watched other people walk by, knowing that they were doing the “loop“. Yet, I just sat here and watched! Well now I know that I too can walk the “loop”!! It’s only 2 ½ miles, but let me tell you, those hills are a bitch!! I may not of walked it as fast as some can, but I DID IT!!! I was one sore lady the next day! Looking forward to doing it again (if the weather would cooperate)!!! And working my way up to being able to run the biggest part of it.

Yesterday, even though the scale was good to me; I have no idea what came over me! I was so stressed and depressed that it wasn’t funny. I haven’t been like that for God knows how long!! All got better after my hubby got home and he did his magic of breaking through. I still to this day don’t know how he does it, but he does. After a good talk and a good crying, all is better in my little world….ha

Ok, I know what it was. It was a little bit of everything all balled into one mountain of STRESS!! Knowing all that is on my plate (so to speak) right now and not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel quite yet! Our foyer still not done which means not having my Spring cleaning done yet , trying to get work done, getting things ready for the yearly garage sale, needing to work on stuff for our Annual Red Neck Day, trying to keep up with this blog, finding time to get other things done and trying to still find time for me and my family!! Nah….that should not cause any stress at all….bah hahahahaha (crazy laugh as I slowly lose my mind)!!

The scale wasn’t so nice to me today, but I’m not gonna complain seeing as I was awake for four hours before weighing myself. And I’m sure all of the coffee that I drank in those hours had some role there!!

I know this post hasn’t been much about weight loss, but really it has. Stress plays a big part in whether you lose weight or gain weight. I know none of us can eliminate stress completely from our lives. It’s just a matter of dealing with it before it gets the better of you. I am very thankful that I have the wonderful husband that I do, who helps me when I get a little too stressed!!

Yummy burger and fries......

Check out the recipe for last nights dinner under "My Kitchen". Hearty Burgers and Crispy Garlic Potato Wedges.

Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

15 Pound Weight Loss

I finally did it!! I finally reached that 15 pound weight loss. As of today, I’ve lost 15.2 pounds. I’ve busted my butt for that too. What a great way to start June!!

Next is to reach the 20 pound weight loss goal. I seem to do better when I focus on only 5 pounds to lose at a time. If I focus on more than that, then I seem to fall from everything and get discouraged. The 5 pounds seems to work and that’s what I’m sticking to.

I also have set longer weight loss goals and rewards to go along with them. Losing 15, was the book I’ve been wanting, “Fifty Shades Of Grey”. Lose 5 more pounds and I get a night out with hubby . It goes something like this….


15 pounds lost…..book
20 pounds lost…..night out with hubby
25 pounds lost…..get my nosed pierced
30 pounds lost…..might be a good time for some clothes
35 pounds lost…..massage here I come
40 pounds lost…..get tattoo finished
45 pounds lost…..still thinking on this one
50 pounds lost…..might need clothes again
55 pounds lost…..thinking…
60 pounds lost…..get tattoo with friend
65 pounds lost…..thinking….
70 pounds lost…..more clothes will be needed
75 pounds lost…..weight loss goal reached….I know hubby will surprise me with
                              something good here!!


I know I can do this and with not only my hubby supporting me, I also got my son, whom made me feel really good last night when he said that he was proud of me for sticking to this losing weight and eating healthy thing…..gotta love them when they say things like that to you. Makes this mom proud that she has a son like she does!!

So have you set your weight loss goals? How about rewards? I’d like to know what yours are.

Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Jogging….who me…yeah me

If you would of told me a few months ago that I would now be walking and jogging like I am, I would of laughed in your face. I may not be able to run with the seasoned pros, but I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish over these last few months.

When I first started out walking, I couldn’t make it very far before I couldn’t breathe and was coughing up a storm. And let me tell you, it sucked! It made it hard to keep walking, but my wonderful supporter (hubby), helped me push past all of that and now as of today, I know I can walk 2 ½ miles, with some light jogging mixed into it.

Funny how now I actually look forward to going for an evening walk with my hubby. I’ve also noticed that walking does indeed help a lot with losing weight. When I wasn’t able to walk because of the weather, there didn’t seem to be a lot of weight loss going on. And I don’t like that one bit.

The goal here is to lose weight not stay the same or add more.

Do you walk at all? Jog or run any? If so, how far can you go? And if not, why aren’t you? I’d like to know. If I can get out there and do it, I know you can too. And trust me, it will make you feel a lot better.

ZUMBA!!!

Shakin' them hips....ha

Belly Dancing....oh my!!

AHHH......stretching!!

Yep...45 minutes, kicks your butt

Today’s challenge…..did the Zumba Intermediate 45 minute, class 2 on the Wii. And added ½ mile to the walk….for a total of 2 ½ miles now.

Tried more recipes that I came up with, wrapped salmon and grilled peaches. Check them out under “My Kitchen”.


Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Busy Bee Today

Even though today was busy and I am tired as hell, I must say that today was another great day. Actually is was better than great and I am feeling pretty darn proud of myself, if I do say so!!

My Coconut Palm Sugar finally came today and that makes me very happy. Now I can drink my iced tea and not feel guilty about it. And like I’ve said before, it is better for you and does still lets me have my sweetened tea and still lose weight.

After exercising and tanning this morning (yes, I fake bake….deal with it) and the scale showing another weight loss, those 11 boards from yesterday, gave me another workout. I had the pleasure of sanding them and of course putting another coat of polyurethane on them again.

Next was a little time to check things on the net and grab some lunch. Then outside I headed to mow the grass. That only took three hours. Yep, got a huge yard here, so my a$$ was on a riding mower, but at least I mowed it…ha.

By then, my hubby came home from work and seeing as the weather here has finally decided to cooperate and be nice, we headed out for a walk. And what do I decide to do? JOG!! We did our usual 1 ¼ mile walk, with jogging for about  ½ mile of that. We’d walk a little, then jog a little. Had to walk at certain parts of the road, for no matter which way you go from my house, there is a hill and I am not ready to jog that yet…ha. The ½ mile of jogging may not seem like much to some, but for me it is HUGE!

Only complaint I got about jogging, is man does it hurt the “girls”, if you get my drift there….. haha. So, looks like the next trip to the store, I am buying a good supporter for them. I know I can jog and I am looking forward to doing it again.

I am determined to get over this hurtle and reach that 20 pound weight loss. I have been stuck for too long now between a 10 to 13 pound weight loss and it just is not cutting it. Besides, jogging actually felt really good while doing it. Granted, I am sure I will be very sore tomorrow, but hey that’s a day away yet and we shall see.

One last note, came up with a new recipe for tonight’s dinner and must say that even though it was a tad on the hot side for me, it wasn’t all that bad. Check it out under “My Kitchen”

These damn boards might get the best of me yet...ha

Today’s challenge….take your pick, the boards, the grass or the jog….I did them all and am feeling pretty proud of myself!! I sure did “make it count” today!!!

Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Weekend With Friends


No one ever said it was going to be easy losing weight, but holy cow, no one told me I would be challenged every day either!

After spending a weekend with friends, I now realize what an every day challenge it really is. Do not fret though, I said a challenge, not impossible.

I did get in my daily challenge that I set for myself all weekend and had a blast too.

Saturday was a little tricky while having a cookout with friends, but it was all good. Even though we had burgers, there was also grilled veggies, which was a plus and healthy for you to boot. Dessert, now that is another story. Strawberry shortcake, but on the bright side, under Weight Watchers, it was only 4 points. So, I can not really complain there.

Sunday, now that was a little more challenging for me. A long ride on our Harley with friends proved to myself that I can go out to eat and still make good food choices. While everyone else ordered fries and bacon cheese burgers (oh how my mouth watered at that one, even though I had a burger the night before), I ordered a good ole healthy sandwich, piled with veggies. And I must say that it was actually really good. And seeing the grease fall from everyone else’s burgers, made me realize that I made a wise choice there.

Now, I have to be honest and keep it real here. I am sad to say that upon stopping at Sheetz on our way home, I broke down and got that damn doughnut!! And man, let me tell you, IT WAS GOOD!!! I ate every damn bite of it and then felt like crap for doing so!! No, I don’t like depriving myself of sweets and that damn doughnut called my name, so what was I to do?

After getting on the scale this morning, I am done beating myself up over that doughnut. There was no weight loss, but no weight gain either. So all in all, yes I had a great weekend, finally had that damn doughnut and do not feel guilty in the least about it!!

See you can diet, lose weight and still have those sweets every now and then. As long as you don’t over do it on them, still do your regular exercise and eat healthy, you’ll do fine.

man those were hard

Saturday’s challenge…..push ups….only did ten, but man did my arms hurt for two days afterwards!!!

hubby & I

Sunday’s challenge….keeping my balance on the back of hubby’s bike…haha….ok seriously, ordering healthy food, while friends did not….and ok, doughnut temptation got the better of me.

ugh.....

Monday’s challenge….30 sit-up’s….and man are my abs still hurting!!!

Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Doughnut Temptation



Well the scale actually showed a loss this morning, so no one had to hear me scream…lol. It wasn’t a big loss, but any loss is good when trying to lose weight.

Today’s challenge proved a lot to me. It proved that I can and do have willpower when needed the most.

Hubby and I were at Wal-Mart, and of course I had not eaten lunch, so yes I was hungry. And what’s the first thing that catches my eye…DOUGHNUTS!!! Oh my how they looked good, damn good to be honest. And there’s me eyeing them for all I’m worth (I think there might have been some drool there too….haha). I even said to my husband about how good they looked and how much I wanted one. Yet, he said not a word and just looked at me. I think he was just waiting to see what I was going to do.

Now, I’m not going to try and tell you that I didn’t want one, for that would be a line of sh!t. I really think at that moment I would of tackled anyone just to have one. I could almost taste it already and that made the desire to have one even worse.

These are the moments when dieting that let’s you know who has the control, you or the food. I know in the past, the food would of won by far. I never used to stop and really think about what I was grabbing when on the go. If it looked good and it’s what I wanted, it’s what I got. Those are not good habits when you want to lose weight.

I am very proud to say that the doughnut did indeed stay on the shelf!!! It wasn’t easy at all, but when I stopped and really thought about it, I knew it wasn’t a good idea to get it, period.

I feel pretty damn good as I write this knowing that I was able to fight that urge of wanting something that I know is not healthy for me. I know that I can still have doughnuts and such on those special occasions, just not as often as I use to. After all, it is that kind of eating that led me to be over-weight in the first place and will do me no good in trying to lose weight.


Today’s challenge…..fought doughnut temptation!!!


Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

My Wonderful Supporter


Only the third day in May and I was wanting to slack on doing the challenge already. The humidity was high here today and made me miserable and lazy. Not good things to be when trying to lose weight, now is it? Yet, I did my morning routine and got my exercise done…note that the humidity was not up yet at that time.

On with the rest of my day. By the time my hubby came home it was so stinking hot out. I tried to talk him into letting me take a lazy day and fib on the challenge. Yes, I am admitting that I did ask him that. But what kind of weight loss supporter would he be if he actually said yes? You would think him being my husband, he would of said yes, but nope not my husband. He actually told me no….can you believe that one….ha

So we went for our normal walk and then some. We walked to the spring to get a drink and then up through a four-wheeler path, which added about another quarter of a mile to our normal one mile walk. And let me tell you, those damn paths are not easy to walk on either. Talk about having to keep your balance and walking through some rough spots. But it was all good and by the time we got back home, I was actually feeling pretty good. Sweaty, but good. So you see, having someone there to really support you when you are trying to lose weight, really does pay off.

Hubby getting a drink at the spring

My turn

 

heading down the four-wheeler path

and yet another hill

Now let me tell you, that was not the end of my challenge for today. After we got back, my hubby asked me if I could help him cut some boards. We are redoing our foyer and everything is being done here by hand, by us. Now I am thinking okay, a few boards and we’ll be done….ha….he kicked my butt! Guess that was a lesson to learn for asking him to take a lazy day. Oh hell NO!! I will not make that mistake again.

Cleaning up the mess

Yup....had to push the wheel barrel, and up a slight hill too...ha

Dumping the mess

And he got the easy part of burning it....nice...

All I know now is that I am one very tired chick here and if that damn scale does not show a minus tomorrow, everyone will be able to hear me scream!!!


Today’s challenge…..added a quarter mile to my walk and got my butt kicked helping hubby….lol


Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Mother Nature $uck$



Well guess I was all too happy yesterday about the nice weather and Mother Nature just had to come crashing down on me this morning. I’m not talking about Mother Nature’s work outside, I’m talking about that ever so loving Mother Nature that hits most of us women once a month. Yes, I am going there (so men, you may want to skip this part…haha).

One time a month I truly hate being a woman! Bloat, cramp, heating pad, repeat. Why I’ve never gotten use to this monthly occurrence, is beyond me (* insert sarcasm here*)! It plays havoc with you and let me tell you that good old scale does me no favors either this time of the month. Ugh….really another weight gain! How does one gain 2 pounds of extra weight over night then magically lose them again. Makes no sense to me.

So yes, I do really think that being a woman sucks once a month and that Mother Nature needs to find another form of entertainment and kindly leave me alone!!

MEN…..you can pick up here again…haha

Okay, I’m done venting about that now.

So yesterday I said that I was making May the month “To Make It Count”. I’ve decided that every day this month I am going to challenge myself with something different. Whether it be something big or small, it has to challenge me and be something that I don’t usually do in my normal routine.

My weight loss has come to yet another stand still and I can not handle that any longer. Yeah, yeah, I know, if I would not of spent a good part of last month not exercising and not eating right, I would most likely be over this hurdle and would of lost more weight.

I actually did two challenges today. One was getting in my exercise this morning. When Mother Nature does her calling, I usually am not up for anything. But this morning, I remembered what I said about making it count and got my a$$ in gear and did it. Then for my walk early, I walked backwards for about 100 yards. Oh my, let me tell you that made my legs burn in places I did not think they could burn. Also made me work up a good sweat and we all knowing that will help with the weight loss.

So hubby has agreed to help me every day this month with a different challenge. Bring it on baby, I can handle it. If I repeat that enough, I just might believe it….haha. Actually I am a little scared cos my husband goes at full speed and never stops!! Then again, if you look at his picture, you’ll see there isn’t much to him. So it’s a bit easier for him to go like that. But I am up for the challenge. I know that he will push me just enough, but not to where it’ll hurt me. I will lose this weight one way or another.

So, are you up for this challenge too? Would love to hear what you do to challenge yourself everyday!!

Please do not mind the outfit....haha

Today’s challenge…..walked 100 yards backwards.


Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Finally A Walk

Starting out for our walk

                                                    
What a beautiful day it turned out to be for the first day of May. I  actually got to go for a walk this afternoon and I don’t think that the “cabin fever” will come to full surface now. Which is a relief cos I was not getting anywhere near excited only bummy with the crappy weather. So it is time to kick it into high gear and make the most out of May.

Me and Jem, the cat that should of been a dog

                                                    


I’ve decided that I’ve spent enough of this year already not staying on track completely with the whole weight loss. And have declared May to be the month of “making it count”. There will be no days to be lazy (except for Sunday’s which is just a walking day). I will exercise one way or another every day. No more of “I don’t feel like it”, “It won’t hurt if I miss one day”, or “I can eat that and be okay”. NO, NO, NO MORE OF THAT!!!

Just a little steep

Long a$$ hill

I mean come on who am I kidding but myself thinking that I can skip a day here and there (or more) and still lose weight. Dah, didn’t I already go over the fact that there is not a miracle pill out there to make all of this extra weight disappear? So how is taking a day or two off from getting the exercise that is needed helping me achieve my weight loss goal? It’s not and deep down I know that, which is probably why I usually end up feeling like sh!t when I do things like that.

Going down the other side

As you can see I had two followers today

I’m sure I am not alone in having days like that, but they do not do me or anyone else any good who is trying to lose weight. This is where I am so thankful for my hubby. He gives me that little push when I need it and just like today, all I had to do was ask if he’d go for a walk with me. Like that is really the first thing he

wants to do when he gets home from work, but he does it for me.

                                 

Willow (on my right) has never went with me before today

Heading back home

So yes, I am so glad that I finally got to get back out there and go for another walk. I never thought the day would come that I would hear myself saying “I actually like to walk”. Isn’t it funny how we change as we get older? But I really do enjoy going for that walk each night with my husband. It not only gives us some quality time together, but I get to do a form of exercising and have fun doing it. And never once think that I am only walking to help me lose weight.

Guess they needed a break

           

My hubby picked me flowers....so sweet

      







  









Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!! Now go make it count!!

Hubby & I

END OF APRIL


I guess it is time for me to take this blog to a more personal level now and let you get to know me better. So pull up a seat as I take you along with me on my weight loss journey.

First of all I have to say that I am glad this is the last day of April. I have been sick for most of it and “cabin fever” is finally hit home here. We did not have much of a winter here, but yet it has been cold enough or raining (with a few days of snow fall), to make it hard to go for a walk.

Even though I have still been able to do my normal exercising and watching what I eat, I miss going for a walk in the evening with my husband and cat. Yeah, my one cat goes for a walk with me ( I think she was to be a dog, not a cat…haha).

You will come to find out that I am just a down to earth, country girl (with a lot of Red Neck in me..hehe). I am also a  smarta$$ by nature and like to joke around a lot and usually at my own expense. But I think that is the norm for people that are over-weight.

Let’s face it, we all have demons that we have to battle and usually those that are over-weight have a lot more of those demons to battle, especially when we are trying to lose weight.

I know for me, those demons started at a young age. From feeling rejected by my parents to being bullied in school to spending way too many years in bad relationships. I’ve spent most of my life trying to get other people’s approval and acceptance of me and for what? It has never been anyone else other than myself that needed to approve and accept me for me.

Trying to please others and living up to what I thought they expected of me is what led me to becoming over-weight in the first place. Bouts of depression and dealing with panic attacks all of the time was not a good life to live. Depression led to binge eating and over eating also. And the panic attacks, well they used to come quite often and make me a total mess and of course I would turn to food to comfort myself. Why? Mainly because I felt that there was no one to understand and accept me.

All of that has changed now, thanks to my husband. The depression is still there, just not as severe anymore. I have mostly good days and when I do start to feel down, he is there to help pick me back up again and makes me realize that things could always be worse. I don’t take panic attacks like I used to either. I still don’t know how my husband does it, but he some how knows when I am about to take one and can usually talk me right out of them. I am so thankful that he can do all of this with me. I know that he accepts me for me and does not expect me to be anything else.

Having him in my life and knowing all of the support that I get from him makes sticking to losing weight so much easier. Hard to believe that at one point in time, I actually believed all of those people that said I was fat, ugly, stupid, etc, etc, etc…..you get the picture there. I may not be the prettiest, skinniest and far from the smartest; but I AM ME and would not change that for anything, no matter what others think of me. Ok, I lied there, the fat has to go!! So yeah, one day I just may be the skinniest. Fingers crossed, scale in hand, watch out world, cos I refuse to let this weight hold me down anymore. I will lose weight once and for all and I truly hope that you will be along side me in my journey, to make it “our” journey.

Till next time…..remember to eat healthy, get some exercise, and most of all, love yourself!!!

MY OTHER SECRET HELPERS:

Besides following Weight Watchers, I also finally found a few other things that are working for me. Now I can not promise that they will do the same for you, but I know what they have done for me so far while losing weight.

I love Pepsi and even though I gave it up, I was having a hard time getting away from my iced tea and yes it had to be sweet too, which only packed on more weight. I tried all of those artificial sweeteners, but could not handle the nasty after taste they left. I was told about 100% Coconut Palm Sugar, by Pure Palm, which looks like brown sugar but tastes like a mix of caramel and honey. So I bought it, tried it, and now am hooked on it. There is no after taste at all! And the best thing is I still get to drink my iced tea.

I also have been taking SafSlim, by Re-Body. Even though it is a dietary supplement that has a whipped creamy texture and actually tastes good too, I take it for the other benefits it does. It is a clinically researched solution for specifically reducing belly fat, plus has other benefits as well that have shown to help improve blood sugar levels and help cholesterol levels. It’s easy to use too, you take 1 Tbsp. twice daily before meals ( I do breakfast and dinner), either by the spoonful or mixed into cold beverages, shakes or yogurt. I take it right off of the spoon, I’ve never tried mixing it in anything they suggest. I have only tried the Delicious Berry Cream Fusion, but they also have Delicious Tangerine Cream Fusion.

Along with doing everything else, I also use the Tummy Tuck Belt, which also has been proven to help reduce belly fat. You simply follow the 10 minute method twice per day. Which is putting the cream that comes with it on your belly, doing a 2 minute routine that they show you and then leave on for an additional 8 minutes. After the 10 minutes, you can take off the belt. You can use the Tummy Tuck Belt three ways, for an instant slimming look, use it and keep your current lifestyle or add exercise with it and burn up to 4 times more fat. I myself, use it while exercising in the morning then again when walking in the evening. Now, I haven’t seen dramatic results with this, but I have noticed that my belly is firmer and it also helps you keep your abs drawn in, which is a good thing to do to help tighten them up. Also the other day, while cuddling with my husband, as he ran his hand down my side, he says to me, “Your puffy spot is gone”. I got such a boost of confidence from that. Makes it all worth it when the one you love notices things like that!

Which leads me to my last secret helper, which is my husband, my biggest supporter in helping me lose weight. Again, you need at least one person that is really there to support you while you lose not only weight but all of the unwanted fat from your body. My husband told me last night that he has learned to watch what he says to me so he doesn’t make me get discouraged. That meant a lot to me to hear him say that and to know that he really is supporting me. I know that if this idiot of a woman can finally get it together and get on the right track to losing my fat, that you can too!!

MY LIST OF MUST HAVE’S:

• First and foremost you need motivation - it can be hard, but it can be done. Look around and you’ll be amazed at what can actually give you the motivation that you need to stay on track while losing weight.

• At least one person who really supports you while losing weight - if you have this, you’ll find a lot of motivation and they will keep you going when you feel like giving up.

• A walking partner - someone to talk to while walking really makes it fun and not seem like you are even walking to lose weight and get healthy.

• At least one form of exercise  - don’t cringe on this one, there are many things out there to get your heat beat going that do not even seem like exercise.

• A good play list on your ipod - you have to have good music to make it fun.

• A scale to weigh yourself- it will become your friend and also give you that extra motivation to staying focused day by day while losing weight.

• A food scale - yes, you will need to weigh some of your foods. I don’t go anywhere without mine. And it looks kind of neat on the counter.

• Your own bottle for water - funny how something like this can make you feel special and also give you motivation.

• A journal for food - keeping track of what you eat really makes a difference and helps you make better food choices. It’s also fun and again gives you motivation.

• Set small weight loss goals - setting small and realistic goals makes it easier to do and you will be surprised once you get going how much motivation you get to keep reaching these goals.

• Lastly, get rid of “I Can’t” in your vocabulary - you really can, if I can, you can too!!