The battle continues

Sorry I have been gone for a while. Life has a way of getting in MY way and distracting me from MY goals and what is important.

Since my last writing I have struggled to lose weight STILL.

I have started the meetings and appointments in reference to the Realize Lapband Surgery at Fallon Clinic.

I joined Weight Watchers today and supplied myself with healthy foods and exercise gear.

Time to get back on track and make NO EXCUSES....

I hope never to disappear again.........

WEAKend WEAKness

How did everyone do this weekend? Let's be honest here. I can tell you I had my beers on Friday but no snacks. I ate great on Saturday which is not like me at all. On Sunday I did have a moment of weakness and woke up craving a sausage , egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. I started cooking the sausage and realized I was having a moment. I stopped cooking the sausage and wrapped it for Mike to eat when he got home.
I opted for Raisin Bran and Banana. Good, right? Ok, so I got through breakfast and BAM.... I ran right to my favorite Sunday meal. Spaghetti and meatballs. My homemade sauce is never fattening but I did not have whole wheat pasta on hand so I just had the regular ole spaghetti. I know , I know. Pasta is bad bad bad. But I love it so much.
I did cut down on my portion though. So in my eyes a smaller portion is better than nothing. I just wish I hadn't had it but I can't beat myself up I just picked myself up and made a healthier supper.
For supper I had a salad with grilled chicken and Ken's lite ceasar dressing.
I am just such a weekend snacker that it is going to take some work before I can be 100%. I am being honest with you and with myself. As much as I wish I was all in, I am taking it one day and one meal at a time.
H0w did you do this weekend?

Snacking is fun right?

The weekend is here and this is when I love to have friends over and visit. Usually I put a nice FAT spread out for the picking. But times have changed and it is time to change those snacks up. I am trying to come up with good recipes and snack ideas that everyone will enjoy.
I usually put out all kinds of mexican dips so today I am going to buy the ingredients to make my yummy homemade salsa and will opt for the wheat baked chips. I know that is something I enjoy so I am actually looking forward to it.
What do you like to snack on that is healthy? Please share your ideas. THANKS

Shaking off the Stress

Man oh man, it is so hard to keep your mind straight when the people around you keep putting unnecessary stress on your shoulders.
How do you manage your everyday stresses and then all the little ones that people throw at you without overeating? Remember, I am a severe emotional eater. Somehow I made it through yesterday without going back to my old habits but it was hard. I wanted to fry everything in the house, eat till I was full then curl up in the fetal position and sleep.
I just don't understand why the people around you who know you are trying to make changes are not always supportive.
Today I have chosen to shake off that stress and stay focused on ME whether anyone likes it or not.
My life and this mission require a positive attitude in order to succeed.

Dealing with Denial

Now that the new year has approached and many of us made the resolution to lose weight I have taken the time to read posts on Facebook and talk to people I know about why they have chosen to lose weight. It is apparent that I am not alone in so many ways.
I don't know how I got here. LOL I truly guess I just hadn't been paying attention the last year. I didn't notice that I ate enough to feed a large African tribe. I also didn't notice that I had stopped ALL exercise.
I went completely backwards from where I was this time last year. I lost all focus and all control. I lost my passion, desire, motivation and reason for losing weight. My life had become so much about taking care of other people that I stopped taking care of me.
I forgot about ME. I forgot about Bob Harper and all that he had taught me.
Denial took over. Like my cousin posted today when she saw a recent picture of herself posted on a friends FB page. Pictures tell the truth that we try our hardest to deny. There is no denying that my dough has risen and now bulges over my pant waist. There is no denying that my socks leave an indent around my swollen ankles.
NO EXCUSES was the moto that I lived by for an 80 lb weight loss. When all I have done for 12 months is make excuses.
Bob Harper writes in his book that we need to make time for us. We make time for our kids, family, friends even strangers. I am now finding time to make an appointment for ME.
Denial has gotten me no where good. Denial is the DEVIL. I will make no more excuses and I will not look back. I will force myself to move forward and take off this weight that has consumed me for so long.
I can no longer deny that I have become obese and it is now effecting my physical activity, my mental well being and has limited me to so many activities I used to love or would love to try.
When I take out the trash tonight I am putting DENIAL out with it.
NO MORE EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!

7 Easy tips to taking off weight... (WW article)

I am following some basic concepts I have learned about losing weight from Weight Watchers, Bob Harper and my sister Danielle. Here is part of a great article from Weight Watchers. I like to look for easy ways to simplify my journey.
Weight Watchers has always been a successful program for me and they keep changing their plans for the better. But again, here is a part of a new article they put out. I think it is worth a read.

Skimming Off the Top
Here are seven simple slim-down ideas:

1. A spoonful of sugar can add up over the course of a year. Add one less teaspoon of sugar (15 calories) to your cup of morning and afternoon coffee each day and you'll save about 10,000 calories—the equivalent of about 3 pounds per year.
   
   
2. Slim down that bowl of cereal: Switch from 1 cup regular whole milk to 1% milk (about 50 calories less per cup) every day. Once your taste buds adjust, you'll be thrilled! That's a tad more than 5 pounds lost by this time next year.
   
   
3. Take the scenic route. Park your car as far as possible from the entrance to your office, the shopping mall or a restaurant and get those legs pumping. Ten minutes of daily moderate paced walking (five minutes each way burns about 20 calories) can take off over 4 pounds a year.*
   
   
4. Get your vitamin C boost with a whole orange (60 calories) instead of a cup of juice (110 calories) each day. Your 12-month weight loss: 5 1/4 pounds.
   
   
5. Go calorie-free by switching from regular to diet soda (150 versus 0 calories per can). If you drink one can per day, that's nearly 16 pounds lost in a year.
   
   
6. Flavor your sandwiches with very low-cal condiments like mustard or vinegar instead of calorie-packed mayo. Leave off 1 tablespoon (100 calories) every day and you're looking at close to 10 1/2 pounds a year.
   
   
7. Downsize, don't super-size, fast food meals. Opt for a small McDonald's French fries (250 calories) instead of a large order (570 calories) at your weekly fast-food meal. You'll enjoy the same great taste all year long but with an added bonus: almost 5 pounds lost.

Like Lisa Lisa said " Lost in Emotions"

I was emailing w/ one of my cousins this morning and she was kind and loving and encouraging but when it came down to it the conversation was about the fact that like many other people we come from a long long line of emotional eaters.
Within the last year I have finally left my parents nest, left my job of 22 yrs, got engaged, dealt with my son's very difficult issues, lost my beloved Gramma Balou, lost my fiance's 19 yr old son in a tragic accident, moved three times and so much more. Now if that doesn't trigger some emotional eating I surely don't know what would.
Over the years I have been in therapy , taken the advice of both loved ones and strangers , read books and asked questions. But to this date when life gets me.... I get snacks.
Its not pretty, healthy or good but it is what I have done for so long and let it be a bad habit.
Today I am putting up a note on the fridge and cabinets on a post it reminding me that food is not the answer. I don't know if it will work but I am going to give it a try.
Are you an emotional eater? Were you at one time? What do you do to stop yourself from binging on the enemy? Let us know