Tis the day before Thanksgiving and the kitchen is clean!

I'm sure that today is the last day I can say that until next year!

Tomorrow officially starts the chaos at our house ... when the Turkey is put away, the Christmas madness starts ... the Christmas boxes are already downstairs ready to be unpacked.  I absolutely LOVE Christmas decorations!  I love the all the little bits of glitter ... the tinsel ... bows ... bright colors ... we definitely go a bit over the top.  The lights are already up outside ... and we will finally plug them in tomorrow.  HOA be damned!

We are having Thanksgiving at my mom & dad's house just around the corner. We have tweaked the menu to make it plan friendlier ... We have added a few things and deleted a few ...

Its still going to be a lot of food, too much food actually but I am hoping that everyone enjoys the new additions and doesn't mind the missing favorites ... and maybe just maybe we can cut back on the "won't touches" next year. 

What I'm really excited about is ... This weekend... big plans ... We are having a Christmas Craft day!  We will have 5 little ones at the house making Christmas Presents, Place-mats, Baskets/Bowls, Bath-Bombs, and a bunch of other goodies.   Ages 18mo-7year.  Pray for us! We have 90,000 Perler beads ready!  See why I know my kitchen will not be clean again?

Last year I opened my mouth and said we really should have a home-made Christmas ... I begged and badgered everyone in to agreeing that "IF" you are going to exchange a gift with an adult it has to be hand/home-made.  Cool right?  12 months later?  Not so cool!  I have 1 gift made ... Almost. 

Hubby is making Checker Boards for the guys, I was making re-useable machine washable shopping bags ... but that bored me to tears... so I'm on the hunt for a new idea... 

REMIND SELF ... KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!

Well I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving ... hug your family tight ... make lots of memories and remember that a moment on your lips and forever on your hips!!!! 

                                                                                                                                    

Why our Tradition needs to change

 For the last week I have been searching blogs and Pinterest to find alternatives to our normal Traditional menu ... My hubby and I are the only ones that are on a Low Carb -High Fat - no Sugar - No Grains -Real Food program ... however since hubby & I cook a good portion of the meal ... I would like to create a new traditional menu that we can feel good about sharing and one that will satisfy everyone's need to indulge or if I'm honest over-indulge. And I don't want anyone to leave feeling cheated of their holiday.
 
Our Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

We usually have dinner at my mom's house, because mom doesn't decorate for Christmas much anymore ... so ... we have Thanksgiving at her house and Christmas at mine.... Mom & Dad actually live just around the corner (18 houses away) ... so my hubby and I do most of the cooking at home while he is watching the Lions loose ... Oh I mean play ... Dinner usually starts about 2 o/clock when hubby gets done crying about the Lions Game... (you know what the "L" really stands for right?)

So we cook:
Hubby's Beer Can Turkey ... 2 at least ... The  Best Bread Stuffing Ever ... Mashed Potatoes & scratch Gravy ... Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots ... Fresh baked bread
Cranberry sauce from scratch. Then my daughter brings the Green Bean Casserole and my SIL brings Candied Yams and then my mom makes  Granny's Cornbread Stuffing Pickled Sweet Carrots and provides olives, pickles, nuts, crackers etc. AND depending on who mom loves the most at that moment LOL we will either have my favorite Eggplant casserole or my brother's favorite Corn Chowder and if we have both been attentive and sweet ... both!

Then once you have had your fill ... and I mean your fill of this ... while my daughters and I are washing dishes, they break out the deserts if  they haven't already snitched a plate full ... Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pie, Humming Bird Cake, , Brownies, Buck-eyes, Banana Pudding, Apple Pie ... cookies ... fruit cake ... SEE's Candy (minus my favorite- it never makes it to the table)  then what ever my sister-in-law brings.  honestly this doesn't cover the list of sweets! 

Now I did mention that we start eating about 2 o/clock ... that's because we need time to be able to re-graze through everything one more time before we start dividing up the left-overs ... Now I haven't admitted to you that for every pecan pie that I take over to mom's I've made one for just hubby and I and left at home.  I don't have pictures to show you of the massive amounts of food that I take to mom's or the tons of food that I have stuffed in the back of the fridge just in-case I don't get enough left overs to bring home.

Is there any wonder why I weighed 278lbs last year?  Actually I think I gained a couple of pounds just writing about it!!!

I know I am not at a place in my eating that I can say its okay ... one day ... one meal ... it will be Okay!  Just last Sunday ... Hubby and I decided that we would buy some gluten free ... "healthy-fied" tortilla chips & salsa to eat while we watch the game ... the bag was 8 servings ... I ate the bag!  THE ENTIRE BAG!  And remember that I told you I have a talking scale?   Well that B#!@*$ called me out on it this morning ... 4 ... yes 4 pounds!!!!  222.2 lbs. 

Not really depressed-just really down... but working it out ... Have you read anything about Lipo-Light?  There is a Wellness Lounge here in town that are promoting it ... and I'm seriously thinking about it... what do you think?  I have an appointment to check it out.  

I gave up but didn't give in.

January 10, 2014 I gave up! 

I gave up all grains ... wheat ... rice ... and corn. 

I gave up added sugar ... soda's ... and grilled cheese.

I gave up mashed potatoes, french fries & pasta.

I gave up grilled cheese, macaroni & cheese.

I gave up chile beans, lasagna, & enchiladas.


I may have gave up ... but I will not give in!








 

Random thoughts of thanks

I am thankful that my brother shared a diet book with me.

Before

I am thankful that my husband loves me enough to let me turn our world upside down. I am thankful that my husband is willing to try anything once. 

I'm thankful for the bloggers that share their journeys so openly and honestly.  Reading about your struggles and triumphs remind me that I'm not alone in this. 

I am thankful that I have found a few really knowledgeable and inspirational bloggers that I can follow and learn from.

I am thankful that I no longer weigh 278lbs.


I am thankful that I have 2 awesome daughters that don't get tired of listening to the numbers I'm down or up and that they are supportive and eager to help me improve my health, body and wardrobe!

I am thankful that I can touch my toes! Yes I'm finding my feet again... boy do they need a pedicure!

I am thankful that my husband & I both have jobs so I can spend our money on frivolous items like his & her total gyms, stationary bikes, fitbits, new running shoes, fancy supportive socks, digital food scale, talking scales, Vita-mix blenders ... and clothes!!! And again I'm thankful that my husband loves me enough to try anything once!

Midway

I'm thankful every night that my husband helps chop all those veggies!  

I am thankful that I am getting stronger all the time.  My grandsons are getting bigger and bigger and when they reach up and say hugs Ganny ... I am thankful that I can swoop them up ... both of them at times ... and give them that hug!  (which usually means Ganny I'm tired ... carry me).

 I'm thankful that I could fit in a pair of size 16 jeans.  First time in 37 years!

I'm thankful! 

I'm thankful!

Life is getting better and better!

I did not eat the cake!

Sunday was my grandson's third birthday party.  My daughter threw a smashing party, complete with barbecue and all the works. 

I was very tempted by all the goodies but I stayed on program had a hamburger patty tomatoes and green salad.  After the cake was cut I stepped outside to get away from the temptation. 

I wonder if there's any calories in sweet kisses from your Grandsons? 

I've watched two of the recorded shows I was telling you I was saving to watch while riding the stationary bike

I've done my midweek weigh in and it's not promising but maybe by upping my exercise I will have something to crow about on Friday other than a sore bum

Dinner tonight will be steak asparagus and cottage cheese

End of Week 1

Well I weighed in this morning at 224.8 ... not the stunning number I saw earlier in the week ... but its down a tad.

Last week I promised myself I would get 3 good walks in ... that didn't exactly pan out.  I don't guess you need to hear all of my excuses.  Even to me they were pretty lame, and believe me I can get creative!  But I did get two good workouts done on the Total Gym.  I've modified my routine to accommodate my shoulder.  And that seems to be working. 


 I got the stationary bike all dusted off and finished up both of the workouts with 15 minutes on it. 



So this week ... I am going to increase my riding that bike ... I have 3-1 hour shows recorded and I'm going to save them to watch while on that bike that is so dusted,  clean and shinny.  You know I have had that bike since March, and it only has 102 miles logged on it.  Now that is a shame ... so my goal is to get those peddles moving and bring that number up to a respectful number before hubby sees that I haven't used it like I promised I would.  This is the third stationary bike that I have bought. At least this one folds up and can be moved out of the way.  Now I do have to say ... not once have I used it as a coat hanger!!! 
 
Also this week I am going to try to up my planks from 2 1-minute holds to 4 1-minute holds ... you know those damn things will kill a person ... but there is something so satisfying in actually doing it!
(sorry no picture of my plank)

My eating has been spot on ... no cravings ... no hunger ... no miss-steps.  Don't know why the scale wasn't cooperating with me today.  I would like to blame it on the cold meds but I know that's just wishful thinking. 

Until next time!!! 

Who am I to talk?

I'm at that point in my weight loss, that its noticeable.   I'm asked a lot ... "what are you doing?  What program are you using?"  I love the fact that the weight loss is noticeable.  I love the compliments, especially the sincere ones ... but I'm beginning to really dread the questions... I almost want to say ... "here read this and figure it out for yourself".

But then I open my mouth and  I tell them you know it took me 56 years to finally figure it out. The FDA and The Diet Food Industry have fed us with a bunch of lies, whether intentional or not they are lies!!!  Un-Truths!  Misguided?  Intentional?  Yes ... I climb my soap box ... then I share that I don't count calories, I don't count carbs, I don't measure my food, I still eat as much as I want, I do not use portion control, I'm still a volume eater...I am NEVER EVER hungry! I eat Lots of food, I can eat out ... even fast food!

You know you have them .. you can see the excitement ... but then when I tell them I don't eat anything made from or with WHEAT, CORN, RICE or SUGAR ... "Oh low carb... you know that light that was just in their eyes? its gone.  "oh I couldn't do that"

I get so frustrated ...as soon as those words are out of my mouth ... they stop listening.  I guess they were hoping for a magic pill or something.

I get a lot of "What's left?  Lettuce and bacon?" and my favorite "oh it's expensive to eat that way".  Then the snide remarks ... "Oh, you know Dr. Atkins died"  I have to tell myself to not take it personally ... they just don't get it ... and they won't until they do.  I didn't. 

I have to remind myself ... who do I think I am???  Just because this is working for me doesn't mean it will work for everyone ... does it?  That's right I'm special!   I am special because I get it!

Okay ... Rant over ... I feel better ... well until next time!  

 

 

 

 

Accountability

I've joined my first blog challenge with Gwen from The Sunny Coconut's

 2014 Holiday Scale Accountability Club

 

So what does this mean? That I'm going to hold my self accountable and not gain any weight during the holiday season, that's from now until Jan 2, 2015! The actual plan is to loose at least 10 pounds before January 1st.

Every Friday, I will post my weight ... up or down here ... for the world to see. (this includes my family ... so girls,  if you catch me forgetting or intentionally ignoring it ... call me on it!)

Today's weight: 225.2lbs. 

 

 

On Track

Friday ... and its been a good week.

Food has been right on track... no slips ... nothing to regret ... scale didn't growl at me this morning like it was last week ... I'm feeling good.  Surprisingly I upped the fat in my meals and I have noticed that I'm satisfied sooner and eating less. Weird but hey I will continue doing it as long as it works.

Got my flu shot Wednesday and now my arm is stiff and swollen, it was my excuse to skip the workout last night ... hubby decided to use my arm as his excuse too ... which just means he will work us twice as hard tonight.

I have a few challenges coming up ... Tomorrow I'm have lunch with my childhood friend... typically that would mean sitting for a couple of hours enjoying a leisure lunch and dessert. 

I have an over abundance of clothes that I need to donate ... piles all over the house ... 20 years worth.  Its not like I'm attached to any of it, I just have a fear that what if?  What if I don't keep it off?  What if I yo-yo back up to my starting weight or heaven forbid higher?

One part of me says that if I keep the "fat pants" I would not have to acknowledge the weight gain that I could just comfortably slip right back in ... and another part says that if I do start gaining that I will have to spend all that money all over again.  So do I donate?  Do I store them?

Either way I have to take my house back this week! 

I'm going to beat this!

It's noon and I'm determined I'm going to kick butt and get out of this funk!

My groceries were delivered yesterday ... yes I know I would burn more calories if I shopped in person but I love Safeway.com.  

I have all the veggies washed, chopped and prepped for the week ... I have the meat chopped seasoned and divided ready to go.

Everything is ready for the smoothies!

This morning I have already been for a 2 mile walk with the grand-kids and #2 daughter (that is by birth not preference)  I actually ran - jogged about 1/2 mile today ... Me who would not participate in any sport or P.E. class ... ran ... and the only one chasing me was a 3 year old! 

Our route takes us through a park ... that we always stop and let the boys play ... well this granny discovered something really cool today ... I fit in the slide!   Yep ... wish I had a picture of that to post for you ... now that is an accomplishment!

So I'm shaking off the blues and I'm going to make this week count! 

I'm going to be 100% on plan eating ... 

I'm going to work out on the total gym 3 times ...

I'm going to take 2 more walks maybe a little jogging ... 

I am not going to let myself get dragged down by the numbers on the scale!

I'm going to have a good week!  

I'm going to be positive!

You watch me!

And it's only noon!!!

not a good day

Today is a struggle ... I'm hot ... cranky ... bloated ... and tired!  Left work at noon before I said or did something that I would regret next week.  Can't shake this pissy mean mood.

I'm still eating clean ... but something is different ... My scale says I'm up ... and I can feel every pound... had to dig around in my give away pile to find something that fits ... 

I'm not a nap person by nature ... but damn I could sleep a week .

need a pepper upper!!!!

So Many Blogging Moments

September was an awesome month ... lots of  ups and downs and ups again!

You know it was hubby's birthday on the 2nd.

Then my mom's birthday ... her 81st! on the 13th.             

We celebrated the day with a NOT SO Surprise Tea Party.  We played dress up . Wore really fancy  hats,  lots of jewelry, scarves and even feathers!  We had Lots and Lots of food ... temptations everywhere ... Scones ... 4 different Tea Sandwiches, cake, cupcakes, cookies, candies ... sweets sweets and more sweets... sugar & wheat everywhere ... SURPRISE I did not eat a bite!   Secret: I weighed when I got up and was down  227.2 ... oh my, so not a single bite of that food looked appealing... not a single bite! It was the best day ever! I know Mom figured something was up when I had her make her famous chicken salad a few days before, but when my dad found out that my "favorite" Cousin "GC" was here from Kentucky, he put his foot down and said I could not hog her for two whole days before the party, so we had to tell her about the party ... but we withheld the guest list... and wow was she thrilled as each person arrived!   Best day ever!!!!  Did I say that already? 

Look at my  grand sons!!!   My daughter set them up with their own tea service!!! They were so cute!  I wish there were pictures of the little one drinking from the tea pot while the water was coming out the spout down his back but we were laughing too hard to stop and take pictures.

   Best day EVER! 

 And to top it off 5 awesome days hanging with GC!!!  

 Now fast forward to the 23rd and its MY Birthday.                Weight: 225.2 (down)

Hubby and I decided that we were going to take the Grandson's out to dinner ... just the 4 of us!  Oh my ... that did not turn out to be the sweet memory we were hoping for!  Worse service ever!!! I mean BAD!  The idiotic server put a scalding hot platter down in front of the 16 month old and said don't touch its hot ... the jerk was using potholders and he assumed the baby would listen?  O.M.G.  I grabbed that plate in the nick of time and burnt myself!  WORSE SERVICE EVER! 

The next night my oldest daughter and her hubby took us out to dinner at a local steak house... and they surprised me with 2 bottles of my favorite wine they found while they were on vacation in Michigan.  Score!!!  Now if I can just convince my Sister in Law to fly out and share it with me!!!  Next morning weight:  224.6  (down)

Birthdays over ... house is back to normal ... I'm feeling good ... I'm loving the new number on the scale ...  But ...

Friday September  26th ... hubby goes out for poker night ... and I make myself a nice dinner, then sit down to watch the season premier of Grey's Anatomy since hubby isn't home.  Then it hits ... hunger!!  I'm Seriously hungry ...and the grazing begins ... a handful of almonds here ... a couple slices of turkey there... couple of pieces of cheese & lets throw in a pickle or two ... couple of olives ... Damn I'm hungry !!! 

FOUR DAYS AND I'M STILL HUNGRY .  I CAN'T SHAKE THIS ... DAMN IT ... SERIOUSLY I'M HUNGRY... I HAVEN'T STOPPED GRAZING...

I know ... I need RETAIL THERAPY!  So send out a S.O.S and my oldest daughter comes to the rescue ... when she asks where ... I say anywhere but Lane Bryant!   She took me to J.C. Penny's ... I have not shopped at Penny's since I was a girl!  I think the last time I fit something at Penny's I was a girl scout no I was  a brownie!

We shopped until even her feet hurt! I had so much fun trying on clothes  ... I mean a ton of clothes ...  I had a ball!

So now its the first ... and I'M STILL HUNGRY

Well shit  today's number is the one that gets logged ... Weight: 228.8 (up)   

 Well here's the stats:

1/10/14 - 278.8
2/1/14 - 268.4

3/1/14 - 265.6

4/1/14 - 261.4

5/1/14 - 251.2

6/1/14 - 247.0

7/1/14  -244.6

8/1/14 - 237.2

9/1/14 - 232.2
10/1/14 - 228.2 -50lbs

Still don't like fish

September 2, 2014                                                                                                            232.2 lbs  

Happy Birthday To My Hubby

Well it was a great weekend ... Family BBQ Sunday to celebrate hubby's birthday ... he turned 58.  He really enjoyed his pre-birthday day, but we put him to work!  He grilled his butt off ... had both grills going and he was a pro!  Stuffed Mushrooms, Scallops, Oysters, Mahi-Mahi (with a peach-mango salsa) Pork tenderloins, Tri-Tip and the kids favorite Hot Dogs.  It was a meat-lovers feast!  We did have a few sides but the meat was the main attraction! 

Sliced tomatoes from Grandpa’s garden, cut watermelon, fresh strawberries, roasted veggies, asparagus and the best pear salad that my sister in law brought.  It was a feast fit for royalty!

 I’m not a fan of sea-food but dang it all looked so good and everyone was raving about it I even tried the mahi mahi … oh no … still not a fan!

I was really concerned about what the reactions were going to be to no pasta salads, chips, and all the fattening munchies that I normally put out … no bread, no buns, no beans and let me tell you I make a mean pot of beans.  I think the only one that noticed was my 7 year old niece when there wasn’t a bun for her ½ bottle of ketchup that she adds to her hot dog.  

We did have a birthday cake.  Sinfully chocolate!  How do you celebrate a birthday without cake?  This was the subject of a few debates!  We both agreed that there was no way we wanted to make a substitute cake with the “proper flours” that we see posted on so many blogs.  Early on in this Journey we both agreed to not try to make substitutes for the foods that got us here in the first place.  Face it if they taste good, we would over indulge in it too!  We need to avoid those foods all together!  So my daughter was given the task of providing the cake!  Was it beautiful!  Yes I had a sliver right along with everyone else … 2 bites worth!!!  And guess what???? It was not anything to blog about!  Give me the roasted veggies any day!  

So this month’s total weight loss … 5 lbs.  I’m very satisfied with that number. I took me 2 days to mean it... But, remember it’s a journey not a foot race!   

Total weight loss to date: 46 lbs

Keep it simple.
Keep it real.
Keep it natural.

Keep doing it!

That's not me!

Hubby and I finally picked the carpet for the upstairs!  My favorite cousin is coming out next month to visit for my mom's 81st birthday.  So the push is on!!!  Our guest room is crammed full of Christmas decorations that never made it up to the attic... seems kinda silly to go ahead and put it up there now just to get down in 3 months.  So dragging it all back downstairs to the garage.

The good or maybe the  bad thing is we unblocked my "Other" closet.  You know that "Other" closet ... the one with all those clothes that you either couldn't wear or didn't wear but can't throw it out?

Every morning this week I have been peeking in to see if I have any treasures that I can finally fit ... My give away pile is really growing!  But I also have a new old/new wardrobe.  I had forgotten what all was stashed away in there. 

This morning I decided to just see if my skinny dress fit ... now skinny is a relative phrase... we are talking size 18.  I have not worn this dress for 22 years!  It FIT!  OMG!  It fit!  Do you know what this means?

Well down the stairs I pranced ... I twisted and turned ... and my sweet sweet husband gave me all the accolades that I felt I deserved!  He really is a wonderful man! I felt like a million dollars!

It just so happened that my daughter called and asked if I wanted to ride to work with her!  Perfect!  I was so excited I was out the door to greet her like a flash!  I twisted and turned and pranced and posed for the camera.

Then she showed me the picture.  My heart stopped.  That's not me!  That is not the way I looked wearing it before!  Who is that old fat woman?  Seriously what happened, that isn't the way I feel.

When I first started this post I was going to name it delusional, but I'm working at not allowing myself to self-talk my way into quitting again!   There is no failure allowed!

So ...

I am going to enjoy wearing this dress now because it won't be long before it too will be to big and have to go in to the donate pile!!! 
    

What happened?

My brother came and sat with me at the hospital all day Friday while my mom had a procedure done ... you remember my brother ... remember me telling you he called me all excited about a diet book he was reading?  Well he isn't doing so great.  He's even bigger than before.  He and my hubby started this "plan" right about the same time.  My hubby is down 75 pounds and sadly it looks like my baby brother found half of them.

I asked him what went wrong ... We talked and he said he knows what needs to be done ... but then he proceeded to tell me all about the obstacles and why he just couldn't do it.  How is wife won't do this ... so he couldn't do that ... We talked for about 2 hours with him justifying why he couldn't get started again.

It was very frustrating because I wanted to tell him he was so full of himself and to get over it ... but it also made me think very hard about my own self talk!  When you tell yourself over and over why you can't do something ... then you can't do it!  Every single reason he came up with was just an excuse.  I know because I use the same excuses!!!


One of his biggest excuses was by the time his wife gets off work and drives home she is exhausted and just wants to eat out.  Well my brother is semi-retired and when he does work he chooses his own hours and usually works from home so I asked him why he doesn't do the cooking. He was stunned "Every Night?"

That was my biggest excuse!  I work a full time job AND manage my "family" business.  I would usually be able to handle the housework and cooking up until mid week but by Thursday it was honey lets order pizza or stop on our way home.  The Chinese restaurant knew our order by heart ... the pizza delivery guys even knew our dog's name.

So I shared the one tip that has helped me keep straight and not resort to the drive thru.  I thought I would share with you and maybe you could share with me some of the tips you do that help keep you on target.

I have my groceries delivered (LOVE Safeway.com) on Saturday.   Sunday is my one day of the week to splurge cook ... If it takes a lot of prep or more than one pan then it is cooked on Sunday.

Sunday is also veggie day ... yes all of those beautiful fresh veggies that were delivered on Saturday get bathed, chopped (or shredded) and then bagged. Then when I get home I just need to chop the steak, chicken or pork and start throwing in the chopped veggies!  Easy peasey stir fry all week long!  And depending on the veggie combo ... and spices thrown in ... different every time!

Sunday is also egg day ... I make omelets in a muffin tin, wrap and freeze them for a fast breakfast on the run.  There are tons of recipes for egg muffins on Pinterest.  Personally I like variety, so I precook hot-breakfast sausage & bacon, then I gather my chopped bags of veggies and then I just put a little of this and a little of that in pres-sprayed (coconut oil) muffin tins.  I fill those suckers up!  Then I whip up some eggs with a little almond milk and pour it over.  Stir or swish it a little to make sure the egg fills all the nooks and crannies.  then I plop them in the oven at 375 for about 20-25 min.   They freeze great!  And TA-DA breakfast all week long!!!  well if your hubby doesn't eat them all.

The best part of this routine is hubby doesn't mind starting dinner now!  He likes going in and pulling out the bags of the veggies and meat combo's that he prefers.  On those nights expect the pan to be full of fungus!  Fortunately I know how to cut them big enough to be seen and removed!!! 

A couple of hours in the kitchen on Sunday keeps me on tract for the rest of the week.

 What's your tip to stay out of the drive thru?