Riding a Camel

My sister in law, Jillian and myself. Sorry, I don't know the camel's name. :)

This is not something you would have seen me doing a year ago. NO WAY!! Before I agreed to get on the camel I had to remind myself that I no longer weigh 302.5 lbs. I will not kill the camel. LOL! It's so easy to forget that I'm a normal person now. Weight no longer needs to or can hold me back!

Weigh Day!!

Yeah! I lost 2 lbs this week. I weigh 184.5 lbs. I purchased some size 12 jeans last weekend. I'm thinking they'll fit in another 9.5 lbs. Hopefully I'll be in them, comfortably, by Thanksgiving.

Not much to say other than. . .

OMGosh!  I went to Cuppa Yo with Larissa's volleyball team last night and I didn't have any calories left. I had to watch everyone eat one of my favorite things and they have Pumpkin Pie frozen yogurt right now! That was SUPER hard, but I weigh tomorrow morning and that kept me focused. Guess where I'm going on Saturday?!?!? 

When You Just Don't Want To. . .

You focus even harder.

That was me yesterday. I just wanted to eat what I wanted to. On those days I have to focus even harder than normal. One of my tricks is gum. If I have something to chew on it helps, a little. The other is to weigh and measure everything. Normally I just eye ball things, but not on tough days. Tough days require measuring and weighing. If you can get through the tough day successfully you will wake up happy and re-focused the next morning.

I decided to cancel my Jillian Michaels' membership. I've been doing her circuits for 15 months and am bored with them. I went into Juniper Swim and Fitness Center yesterday. After looking over their class schedule I got so excited about working out again. I think this is exactly what I need. I'll have quite a variety in my life now. Also, I can run inside on the treadmill when I just don't want to face the cold.

Exercise Science

Exercise Science???  Hmm. . . . I think so. I'm waiting to see where Jason gets a job before I decide where I'm going to school. I would love to help people lose weight and change their lives. I'm currently looking for a job in a fitness club. Yeah!! Who knew this is what I'd become. Two friends of mine, that are very similar in personality to me, are teachers. Once I told one of them I don't know what I want to be when I grow up and she said, "You'll want to be a teacher." I laughed and said, "No way!" It hit me this morning that's exactly what this is. I want to teach people how to love themselves enough to take care of themselves. There you go Jennie!  You were right. :)

Menu Monday!!

I know what you're thinking. . . BRUSSELS SPROUTS!!  Yuck!!  Trust me, these are tastey and you can use your imagination and really make this recipe yours. Give them a try, you won't regret  it and the health benefits are unbelievable.

In fact, here is just one of the many benefits:  Brussels sprouts contain more glucosinolates than any other vegetable except brocolli. Glucosinolates are important phytonutrients for our health because they are the chemical starting points for a variety of cancer-protective substances. All cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates and have great health benefits for this reason. But it's recent research that's made us realize how especially valuable Brussels sprouts are in this regard.


The cancer protection we get from Brussels sprouts is largely related to four specific glucosinolates found in this cruciferous vegetable: glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, sinigrin, and gluconasturtiian. Research has shown that Brussels sprouts offer these cancer-preventive components in special combination.

Enjoy!!

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts


Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
http://www.skinnytaste.com/

Servings: 4
Size: about 1/2 cup
Calories: 82 Old Points: 1 pt Points Plus: 2 pts
Calories: 86.2 • Fat: 3.7 g • Carbs: 11.9 • Fiber: 4.3 • Protein: 4.1 g

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts (outer leaves removed and washed)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

Finely shred the Brussels sprouts after thoroughly washing. In a sauté pan, heat olive oil. Add shallots and sauté about 2 minutes; add garlic and sauté until golden. Add Brussels sprouts, salt and pepper and sauté on medium-low for about 4-5 minutes.

I’m back!! I’m back to reporting my weight loss and keeping you up on the journey. Last Saturday I weighed 186.5 lbs. The last weight I blogged I believe I was 181 lbs. I had just finished the Master’s Cleanse. It is very normal to put on anywhere between 5 & 10 lbs after the Master’s Cleanse. I was prepared for that so I’m not upset by the number I saw on Saturday.


I was looking at the graph of my weight loss this past weekend. It looks like I haven’t lost weight since July. That’s when I hit the 180’s and I’ve kept myself there over the past 3 months. That’s a good thing. I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to maintain my weight. However, I was supposed to be losing weight so apparently I need to refocus and get my head in the game. I have 36.5 lbs to lose and I need to get it off. Truthfully, I’ve become comfortable in my new body and so the drive to take off the last of the weight has dissipated. Well, not anymore. I need to stay focused. I would LOVE to have the rest of my weight off by the first weekend in March.

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday; 36!! I feel younger than when I turned 30. Birthdays have always been a day of dread for me. A reminder that another year has passed & I still haven’t accomplished anything I had hoped to. This year is much different. This year holds many accomplishments and hope for so many more goals and dreams to be reached.


I was thinking over the past year, yesterday, and realized how grateful I am for so many things. I decided to write them down.

Here is a portion of my GRATEFUL list:

1. I’m grateful for a roof over our head and a sister that loves me so much she moved my whole family into her home so Jason can finish school.
2. Jason has a job that is covering the monthly payment to the State.
3. Jason got into all of the classes he needed in order to graduate this term.
4. The kids are having a fantastic year in school so far.
5. Even though my employer is closing the branch I work at, I have met some amazing woman I now count as friends.
6. Jason’s last day of school is the same day my branch closes. This leaves both of us available to move for the new job he’s going to get.
7. We are all healthy.
8. Our needs are continually being met. (Too many examples to list.)
9. I am not at the weight I wanted to be by now, but I am so grateful for the weight I have lost and I am so much healthier than last year.
10. We have amazing family and friends that care deeply about us.

There is so much more on my list. It is amazing how focusing on being grateful can change your mood and in turn your outlook.