Take that week 1!!!

<p>So today marked the start of week 2. So this morning I hopped on the scale first thing to see the results from my first week.<strong>        Drum roll please……………..</strong> </p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>The scale said <strong><u>174</u></strong>!! If you recall <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/8-weeks.html">last week</a> I was 179.5, so that means I’ve <strong>lost 5.5lbs</strong>!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiaVVepsqwRUBEFOHBw26CQa2wKDRFV8bHhZZ9E8LLFqSNawzebLpvvafdgNSiQ095jmpq2QKDTtn_Sh9jGcwk03Syduq14rYx2_q46JwaojOeOs86B15IIoiRJUDKwdGL6PZeij-8c5L/s1600-h/DSC07863%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07863" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_5dJJl_zZAWOfh3TNx_8eZYah-UX1TI6pqvNA3Q-JdDxODOn21x_j4HSBQ-Guar4cIIUYZ5OHuzzKR4O9jAP3lCO-tl0fCynsYHrRakgiMlFjGTkvYb6vKMl0EHfVjCdFB_Iu98UqYf5/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07863" width="404" /></a></p> <p>My breakfast was a <strong><u>repeat</u></strong>, but still good. I had <strong>blueberry muffin oatmeal</strong> with <strong>1/4 c blueberries</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9UMr7021EO572rQ_Q6uk19OU3dudpuQd9H01qB1__ShGJLu7H8jGcgGSbxArKkDUx9SGpoopG969oMUozm56PnNbH0104Atr4gAjOytYViTqlj6TFswD4xJ0YNWdpicxdsflHbwv-Ncl/s1600-h/DSC07864%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07864" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX67PfABmCegV84woWTihOZjh6yoZ-zDRBFYvm1u-EohoASkBzwCLx5x5izg-nUmzp15Bfd_p9SmTHH0aV7T4gpfkt87oVcS4NeE3DCQkfzPDO6XEivZWbDmIWvwb860n-y_NooBN2cA2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07864" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I had a busy morning. I needed to get lots done because I knew my afternoon was full of meetings. I did manage to sneak in <strong>1 c watermelon</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wNjK6lceA-5lby7gYdDyxAsFpNb11DGDY0SUbwZMPu0CrkkoBwOZ7MlXZ_878prlxS6wmOAe6NifdYXN1fOOpOkiEfWxgv35UOM6gIv0AdFBLsneHMFVqEPsEm8fCvhAAE-ZCnUorc0z/s1600-h/DSC07865%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07865" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrYO6Lvcd-_qRVUvOm8J4KwHr8z8ET9RwgAnXJOezoglgDUKdBsojkf9tr1Bt2ORGuhSL1PRcxpJSJ6BCMwwgbxGhQnDTG8shIZOgj6nChbyuk6V2m_0lDwGMHutKpCyPl0Mlg4cz4vbk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07865" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I jetted home for a quick lunch! I had a serving of <strong>steamed broccoli, 1 c cantaloupe, 1/2 cottage cheese</strong>, and a<strong> toasted ham & swiss sandwich</strong>. I ended up only eating 1/2 of the sandwich because I <strong><u>burnt</u></strong> (woops!) it pretty good, so my lunch totaled<strong> 4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4TliFYj6SiFyXz_Y7Qzbf43JA2OeGZfGiqPOO2raLJZL6dPrVtAhgeR8dbt0kZo8o-GziYwUB3cZxE7gMoPSHthvBlXe9kIi7eXOw4Yj-aXyV2VksqaUKw3G9tKRC8xeatzbjdLe1QKf/s1600-h/DSC07866%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07866" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVsFhmshl0VMKdy36udHQ6skpVxl5siELOoOkU_aWftRWepPVv1fhRwcpj0A5w30yFaCM-MxTbkhGT_FgzADDI5jyDLsFNGimP99JhDsaWRoIliArZ9QLvbfp8oDaIE8DeGXyZwEalUZL/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07866" width="404" /></a> <br />Since I didn’t finish my sandwich I counted out 1<strong>5 animal crackers</strong> to snack on throughout the afternoon for <strong>2 points</strong> to help tide me over till supper. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6zoKaCAtdG3pdihwNjVDL8uHCbJUW1Oq29hyUTZJBA-UoFDHWuNNfH5QB7dvyKxdDZ1QCzNhOtFrfyiORB7QDlKOe-3Wqb7wBo9UaA8PxSBpkb8Mc3Vqu9a7gmQ8aUmMr5A-K7TiBQfL/s1600-h/DSC07867%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07867" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASxCpdXVAXkV5paEshfOesfoFUSzYE6R1TfUL-WRDr5q8pFwUjF10dq-lPh_KXm8GRiwRuTLqVIv8AZwKJ0QycI_XVKa4Oiz0DEsWwsjmZmemd40XpWEIXF8QKaJFjjkda4reM25CmZdX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07867" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I spent the majority of my afternoon in a <strong>little conference room</strong> with 3 other people. Not too fun, but we got lots done! I did have <strong>3 twizzlers</strong> for <strong>2 points</strong> during the meeting. Afterwards I put in some <strong><u>extra time</u></strong> in my <strong>office</strong> to get some things done and came home around 6:30pm. </p> <p>Once I got home I<strong> <u>threw supper</u></strong><u> <strong>together</strong></u> quick and put it in the oven. I had 45 minutes while it baked to get a run in! I ended up running <strong>3.5 miles</strong> in <strong>40 minutes</strong>.<u><em> Whew!</em></u> I was wore out by the end, that heat is rough!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrssGu700Dd0zwCEKmqu7E9pHahXOiE6oFlWGp9JK2JKavjYXt-A7AvNEPSs0CDWwPo6HUfMuVCCoFLH-b4dGkYyy_DcOc7Env2wgi8bIbcqy6KBKmksDD6R2Epp_kmpn7C7yRHycRE1vk/s1600-h/DSC07878%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07878" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHVw7r4DRm0uYAxSiiBNGJpwK6dWsAtkkWC5e-jJlfGD4E3tz1vuHRlOXQ_1FTMuDH01OTzZ8kJ1wdnh5J9z0bnTDQGRQ_pdvz8rR23Hw2rTCKWmmhq_PIM8sJ3djzEeMA6oxxlaRZc2R/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07878" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Supper tonight was another one of my favorites, <strong>fiesta chicken & rice bake</strong>! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PlV6d0M5w1TC48ZE88KzruoHoYEFq8kdTLfWsifKoJDDhhmUXXiFg6qXBoQYN3TIUzeQp-j1k2npjNN-WE1CGE0eoXyBdqIwhwdSYWPgrl39MIUPqP9K48I1CQhE3_D9FRRJUK07f-EC/s1600-h/DSC07879%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07879" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXb492dY6vAuVBTWsvWY674Qdn8q_yOYQSFYSBxFfSFegntCZlfbSF_gmREBp3Aors6lQ1ngPAXqHeIrPN2-RSVHUWrYv8Xcx4YrLApd5dLLcePjhUWQO4qOFRDh3cVETopv5C6uf8mQA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07879" width="404" /></a></p> <p><strong><em>Fiesta Chicken & Rice Bake</em></strong></p> <ul> <li><em>1/2 tsp paprika </em></li> <li><em>1 can 98% ff cream of chicken soup </em></li> <li><em>1 c salsa </em></li> <li><em>1/2 c water </em></li> <li><em>1 can whole kernel white shoe peg corn </em></li> <li><em>3/4 c uncooked minute brown rice </em></li> <li><em>5 boneless chicken breasts </em></li> <li><em>1/2 c 2% shredded cheddar </em></li> </ul> <p><em>Mix soup, salsa, water, corn, and rice in baking dish. Top with chicken and sprinkle with paprika and cheese. Bake @ 375 for 45 minutes. Enjoy! Makes 5 servings, 6 points/serving.</em> </p> <p>I also had <strong>1 c</strong> of <strong>watermelon</strong> on the side for a<strong> 7 point</strong> supper. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUVNCAcsSVrxaF9pmeZ-WL3rzcZv1QMXjrDW0H4CANCgM1_XclloPnWRPKMllgy8y4f14pnVb8U2nWiAUH6_ymXgxuze-VnJVu-F3txOTpPXiMZ8peKVUKIPXNlH4j4q3NwWStQbhuZFr/s1600-h/DSC07881%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07881" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEqXQwIijWZKSTJ-MY-YEDHyvwmN45pU5HRsDDGs2t0GBdKzgYdn-Wnw4kDUG4OO9V_NoMW6OTneScCndv5AdfGq2uola5DlGKOZYj4-9guztoZtWP6TEQltr3qlJPqzZAZQlrkZ28IJ8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07881" width="404" /></a></p> <p></p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 18/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 6 today/6 week <br />WATER =  168 oz <br />EXERCISE = 3.5 mile run</p> <p>I only have <strong>14.5lbs</strong> <strong>to lose</strong> in<strong> 7 weeks</strong> to meet this <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/8-weeks.html">birthday challenge</a>!! I think that seems <strong><u>VERY</u></strong> <strong>attainable</strong>!! Look out week 2, this girl is ready to rip you up! ;) </p> <p>So tell me, <strong><u>what motivates you?</u></strong></p>

Take that week 1!!!

So today marked the start of week 2. So this morning I hopped on the scale first thing to see the results from my first week.         Drum r...

Read more »

Sweeteners - NuStevia - good stuff

I've always had a sweet tooth that just doesn't stop. Anything with sugar in it was my favorite food. Unfortunately, as with most foods, my off switch is really broken when it comes to sugar. I just can't seem to stop. Other than natural sugars in fruit (and yes, I know that's still sugar), I've given up regular, processed sugar. Yet I really miss the sweetness of sugar. <br /><br />I've always hated artificial sweeteners. All of them have a bitter, chemical aftertaste that kind of gags me. I can taste it regardless of what people tell me. Maybe some people just get use to it and really can't taste it.<br /><br />I finally found a sweetener that I like and it has zero calories. NuNaturals Stevia. It's less processed than some of the others, like Truvia by CocaCola. Of course a big corporation would have to mess it up by adding chlorine. Seriously CocaCola, chlorine?<br /><br />Anyway, NuStevia is pure, natural, delicious sweetness and zero calories. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf7KwpzrprOiCNv0PnB4WV0pAV3iw429aAbq102KINd2i11hluA2QOxvP6oOy4QG7-LWkWieWCOS8tcI8Mzl1BzNi0X-5ueZ4AEXqv9aMnwAcFpw2PkA1xRMIKrIp-FGBm6FJU-Yqsobq/s1600/nunaturals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf7KwpzrprOiCNv0PnB4WV0pAV3iw429aAbq102KINd2i11hluA2QOxvP6oOy4QG7-LWkWieWCOS8tcI8Mzl1BzNi0X-5ueZ4AEXqv9aMnwAcFpw2PkA1xRMIKrIp-FGBm6FJU-Yqsobq/s200/nunaturals.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />Here's a good blog <a href="http://healthyindulgences.blogspot.com/2009/03/product-review-nunaturals-stevia.html">post</a> about NuStevia by NuNaturals, much better than my review (and I stole her picture above because I was too lazy to take my own). She has a lot of tips on how to use it. I haven't tried the NuStevia extract yet, but it's next on my list. <br /><br />You can't find NuStevia with the regular artificial sweeteners in grocery stores, I only saw the Stevia products by the big corporations, like the Truvia (aka chlorine). I found the NuNaturals products in the nutrition center at my local Fred Meyers, and also at Whole Foods. <br /><br />Give it a try. You'll be sweetly rewarded. :)

Sweeteners - NuStevia - good stuff

I've always had a sweet tooth that just doesn't stop. Anything with sugar in it was my favorite food. Unfortunately, as with most fo...

Read more »

Women, Food and God - really?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsO3Ud4dsVPPuXI1vCeWYSpn-XZE7kxowj6lvc8UHLooqtzY1P_CSSvPl6mvUyn-CpvjsOAAt8pCuYUpGL66to3yhKpq8IU5WnVN8BDSe0P1NQ1CUOmPLELARficY-Ed_f-Un0vYhkXjx/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsO3Ud4dsVPPuXI1vCeWYSpn-XZE7kxowj6lvc8UHLooqtzY1P_CSSvPl6mvUyn-CpvjsOAAt8pCuYUpGL66to3yhKpq8IU5WnVN8BDSe0P1NQ1CUOmPLELARficY-Ed_f-Un0vYhkXjx/s320/book.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>At first I was all set to run out and buy this book. I buy almost every weight loss book that comes out, every strength training book, every new book on the latest health fad of the moment. I have book cases full of these books. I'm always looking for the magic pill. <br /><br />I've been reading about this book, Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. It sounded like something I should read. Maybe I could learn something. <br /><br />Tonight I caught the last thirty minutes of Oprah's interview with Geneen. Sadly, I realized this book doesn't have the answers for me. I've already tried making peace with food. All the stuff they talked about in that thirty minutes, I've done it. Don't watch TV and eat. Eat in a calm, quiet place. Enjoy your food. Don't count calories. Don't weigh and measure your food. Trust yourself with food (gotta love this one). <br /><br />It doesn't work for me. I've tried it all and seriously, all that happened was an ugly weight gain. None of this stuff is new. I've read the same theories in different books and magazines for years. It's just a regurgitation of the same old theories. <br /><br />That's my book review on a book I haven't even read. I just watched an interview with the author. <br /><br />Have you read it? What are your thoughts on this book? Did you watch the Oprah interview? Do you really think this can work for you? <br /><br />Maybe there's more to this book than what I saw in a 30-minute interview. Maybe I'm missing something and it would be worth using that Borders gift card I won at Toastmasters. Still, I was a little put off by Oprah's revelations that this book held the answers we're all seek regarding weight loss, but sometimes, Oprah kind of annoys me.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm really curious what other people thought about the interview and the book. Should I buy it?<br /><br /><em>4:15am - Tuesday</em><br /><em>I thought about this post and this book several times last night (another bad night of sleep). I think Geneen Roth's theory might actually work for most people. Unfortunately, for me, when it comes to food there's something inside of me that irreparably broken. My off switch doesn't seem to work. </em><em><br /></em><br /><em>The part of my brain that should tell me when I've eaten enough food to keep my body functioning at peak condition simply doesn't work. Maybe it's from years of dieting and deprivation. Binging and purging. Whatever the cause, I don't think I can easily fix it by just wishing it worked. I have to be very consciously aware of what I eat and how much or I will gain weight. Years of experience has proven this to be true.</em><em><br /></em><br /><em>I wish it was that easy that I could just believe in myself and trust myself to eat the correct amount of food and eat what I want when I want it. Then magically all would be well in my world. Unfortunately, for me, it just doesn't work that way for me. I'm okay with it, the counting and measuring, the vigilance about what I eat. I'd rather do this than go back to what I was before, 100 pounds overweight.</em><em><br /></em><br /><em>Maybe it'll work for you, maybe it won't. Regardless, there's something that works for everyone, you just have to figure it out.</em>

Women, Food and God - really?

At first I was all set to run out and buy this book. I buy almost every weight loss book that comes out, every strength training book, every...

Read more »