Trim Healthy Mama–The First Month

Back in April, my best friend, Donna, bought  a copy of the book Trim Healthy Mama for me as a gift.   Ladies, you KNOW only your best friend can get away with buying you a book about losing weight and not get whacked with the book.  Grins.

So I read the book, all 600+ pages of it.  Then I reread it, and marked some recipes that sounded relatively edible.  Yeah, I wasn’t feeling it.

Then I waited for several months.   The reason being there were a few items on the “must have” list that I just couldn’t work into my budget (well, I COULD, I just didn’t want to bad enough).

Finally I broke down and ordered some whey powder, glucomannan and Nu-Naturals Pure White Stevia Powder.   Let me just say up front that I don’t care for the glucomannan.  It’s a thickener, but it makes things slick/slimy and I don’t care for that feeling in my mouth.   I also realized I don’t like the Nu-Naturals Pure White Stevia Powder, as it has an aftertaste that I’d rather not mess with.   The whey seems ok in drinks.   I did find that Truvia doesn’t have the aftertaste, but its also not as sweet as sugar, so I have to use a lot more of it than most of the recipes call for.

Having said all of that, I started to eat using the Trim Healthy Mama plan on September 23, 2013.  In the first two weeks I was down 13 pounds ya’ll!  Yes, THIRTEEN!!   More importantly, I was feeling better.  My joints weren’t hurting all the time and I had more energy.  Week three I hit a plateau, but it was “that week”, so I knew there would be water weight gain, so I wasn’t worried about it.  

This is where it all went awry. Thursday morning of “that week” I woke up unable to swallow, at all.   After a trip to the doctor on Friday, I came home with a confirmed, horrible case of strep that landed me in bed for several days, and unable to eat solids (or many liquids) for the next 7 days. 

I don’t get sick, EVER.  This was the first time I’ve gone to the doctor for being sick since before my kids were born.  On a funny side note, I’m one of those moms who keeps going no.matter.what.   That Thursday when I woke up I had a fever over 104, and I was too sick to get up, other than to crawl to the bathroom.  The kids tended to themselves all day.  When my husband came home from work Thursday evening he asked the girls where I was and one of them responded “She never got out of bed today.”    He panicked, he thought I’d…”expired” in my sleep.  At the time, it wasn’t funny as he came charging into the room in total freak out mode and woke me from a fevered, fitful sleep.  It’s funny now, at least to me.

Anyway, during those 7 days of non-eating and little drinking I lost another 9 pounds, for a total of 22 pounds lost in 3 weeks.   This week, I have no appetite and nothing has any flavor at all, so I’m still not eating much.  I plan to get back on track this week (after I go grocery shopping).

I’m chalking up the 22 pounds to the Trim Healthy Mama eating style.   I won’t credit them with my being sicker than ever before.   I’ll keep you posted on the 2nd months progress.

Also be on the look for some new recipes that I’ll be sharing.

Down 10!

After the first month of better eating, more exercise and anger control efforts…drum roll….I’m down 10 pounds and several inches!!  Woohoo!

I had set a goal of 10 pounds for January and I achieved that goal.  February’s goal is another 10 pounds gone and put an additional workout the end of each day. I purchased the T-Tapp video and have been lax in getting started with it.

So like with every good change, I’ll start that on Monday. 

Biggest Loser Challenge–Week 5

Any post that starts off with things like “I am not amused!”  can’t be good, right?   Yeah, so…I AM NOT AMUSED!!

It rained hard 3 days this week, which means I didn’t get to go walking on those days.  So I can see not losing anything, truly I can.  I did eat out last weekend, while I was away at the Extraordinary Women Conference.   So I could even accept a small gain and understand it, but to gain 4.4 pounds, in a week??? 

I am NOT AMUSED!

The Biggest Loser–Week 4 Weigh In

I totally forgot to write a blog post last week on this topic.  Maybe it was because the loss that week was minimal, a mere .8 of a pound, but at least it was a loss!

I’ve been walking 5-6 days a week for anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.  The duration and intensity of the walk depends on who tags along.  The six year olds little legs can’t go as fast or as far as I can alone.   Olivia, who is 8, has appointed herself as my walking buddy.  Most mornings she is up and ready to go before I finish my coffee.  On occasion she’ll say “I think you need to spend some time alone today, so you can walk by yourself.”  Seriously, she said that one day last week and this week.   Although I think an accurate translation is “I’m having fun playing with the puppy so I’m staying here.”

This week I did well with the walking.  My eating wasn’t the best, not that I ate “junk”….but one night we had mashed potatoes pork chops and greasy gravy for dinner.   Yes greasy gravy made from the pan drippings…you know it’s not healthy, but you just can’t say no!

Anyway, despite myself I managed to lose 2 pounds this week!  That puts me at a total of 9.2 pounds lost so far.  I’d really hoped to be further along, but this time I’m taking the slow and steady approach instead of crash and burn.

Biggest Loser Weigh In–Week 2

This was a crazy busy week.  To be honest I didn’t get in one single walk!  I also didn’t get in much eating or sleeping!   Stress, doctor appointments, new puppy (sick puppy) and the start up of the fall activities for the girls all collided this week on me.

The good news it that besides a few more gray hairs, I also came away with a 4.6 pound LOSS for the week!  Don’t ask me how, I don’t care, but I’ll take it!

Biggest Loser–Week 1 Weigh In

Some gals (and a guy or two) in town decided to start a 12 week Biggest Loser challenge and asked me to join in.   I tend to do better when I’m competing so I said yes.

The initial weigh in was September 9 and we’ll go for 12 weeks, ending on December 2.  Besides losing weight, there is a monetary motivator.  Each person pays $10 to participate (there are 20 participants I believe).   If you lose weight or stay the same you’re good.  If you gain weight there is a $5 penalty to pay for that week.   The winner at the end gets all the cash!  This has the potential for making some nice Christmas money for someone!

This week I’ve done well.  The girls and I have gone for a 45 minute walk each morning.  I took Olivia to the tennis court early in the week to teach her some basics.  I’ve had no soda or sweet tea this week and I don’t think any chocolate either.  So if you notice I bark at anyone it’s the lack of caffeine and sugar speaking, really it is.

The results?  A loss of 1.8 pounds for this week!  It’s a slow start, but at least I’m moving in the right direction.  Hopefully, someday I’ll be back to my marathon running self of days gone by.

Weekly Weigh In–A Few Weeks Late

I’m behind on my weekly weigh in posts.  I got busy and missed writing one, and then last week I completely missed weighing in!

So in a nutshell I’m stuck at a 25 lb. weight loss since January.  Now I know that 25 pounds is nothing to sneeze at.  However, 20 of those pounds came off in January and the other 5 have taken 2 months.  It may have something to do with the Girl Scout Cookies.  

Overall 25 pounds is good…now if I can just buckle down and focus, and exercise and, gosh I wish I had saved one or two of those cookies!  Sigh…

Weekly Weigh In–Stupid Super Bowl Party

How’s that for a lovely “pass the buck” title?    So to get the pain out of the way, let me say that yes I did gain 1 pound this week.

Now onto the why’s behind the number.  On Saturday I had a 2 hour “me time” while the kids and spouse were at various activities.  So I ran by Starbucks and bought a Frappuccino for lunch (it WAS my lunch, not in addition to lunch)…but still it was loaded with sugar, fat and calories…but it was really good and I truly enjoyed every sip!

Later in the evening we made homemade pizza and brownies for dinner.   I went light on the pizza, but did indulge in a brownie.  I didn’t eat the whole pan (in fact 3 days later and the pan still has brownies in it), this was a victory.

Super Bowl Sunday is probably what truly did me in.   I drank soda the entire evening, instead of water.  The 7 layer taco dip was my dinner, and there was a yummy dessert.  I didn’t eat a lot of anything, I never felt stuffed.  However, I just wasn’t really paying attention to what I ate, and it showed.

But you know, it’s 1 pound..it’ll be gone soon.  The weekend was truly enjoyable, and I’m ok with that!   How did you do?

Weekly Weigh In–Woohoo!

To be honest, I wasn’t looking for much of a loss this week.  I hadn’t been “bad” with my eating, but I’d also been busy and haven’t gotten to exercise a great deal (ok, NONE).

Then I started looking at some things I have done this last week like reorganizing the basement and stacking a pickup truck load of firewood for examples.  I realized that although not “exercise” it definitely burnt some calories for me.

I came away with a 4 pound loss for the week!  So for the month of January, I have a 17 pound weight loss going! 

Although, to be honest I don’t think the exercise or my own doings have a great deal to do with it.  I’ve noticed that while doing the Bible in 90 challenge I’ve lost those old cravings.  I’m not binge eating out of boredom.  So maybe I’ve been feeding the wrong part of myself all along?  Shoving food in my mouth trying to satisfy for deeper craving for God? 

Be sure to go over to the Weekly Weigh In and congratulate Kris on no longer being obese!!  She has done an amazing job this last year and she deserves a lot of high fives!

Weekly Weigh In–The Small Week

After last weeks unbelievable 10 pound loss, I really wasn’t expecting anything at all comparable.  But still, there was that faint glimmer of hope that got squelched on the rocks of reality.

I did petty well on my food choices this last week.   I did give in and allow myself to have a sliver (and I DO MEAN THIN) slice of chocolate cake yesterday.   I ended up eating the frosting and leaving the cake.

I’m incorporating more veggies into our menus.  I’ve found that baked sweet potato fries, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with Old Bay Seasoning is one of my favorite foods!

I think one of my biggest “hidden calorie” count is in drinks.  I’ve cut out sodas, but sweet tea is still a staple at the dinner table.  Coffee with flavored creamer is another one that adds up too.  So I will have to really watch my liquid intake this coming week.

Exercise was non existent.  I’ve been having severe pain in my foot and ankle since April of 2010.  The foot doctor can’t find anything wrong, but it hurts terribly.  This last week was the first week off of anti-inflammatory meds, so I wanted to give it a good chance to be “normal”.  Yeah, well that failed miserably and I’m in just as much pain as ever so on with the walking program I shall go.

So, although it wasn’t nearly as stellar as last week.  I did pull off a one pound weight loss.  Please keep in mind that I have one of those old fashioned “rotary” style scales and not a fancy digital.  So if I post all poundage only and not ounces, that is the reason.

Be sure to visit the Weekly Weigh In and cheer on everyone else.

Weekly Weigh In–The One Where I Stuck With It

I’m doing several things at once (imagine that).  I’m working through the Bible in 90 days, and the Do or Do Not Challenge.   I’m thinking that the two together are a good idea.  It can’ hurt anything, right?!

So anyway, this week has been pretty good.  I haven't’ had any major cravings, or binges either.  This in itself is a great thing!  I haven’t gone all “diety” with my food.  Although day 1 I fixed an incredible salad that all but curled my toes!  I did however cut out sodas, and sweets and switched from white bread to 15 grain bread that is OH.SO.YUMMY!

Now that you’re all anxious with anticipation, I guess I should just give in and tell you that I lost 10 pounds…seriously.  I weighed and re-weighed myself several times to make sure it was right. 

So I’m not sure it there was a lot of water retention going on, or the fact that I was coming straight off the holiday binges or what.  I certainly am thankful to see the scale move in the right direction…although I’m a bit dumfounded as to how I got such a big number.  I’m sure by next week it’ll even out!

Be sure to visit the Weekly Weigh In to see how others are doing in their quest for better health and thinner bodies!

Little Old Ladies are Evil

Now, before you send me a nasty email, hear me out on this.  Last week I started officially shedding excess poundage.  It was glorious, truly.  To avoid temptation, I was careful to make sure there was no junk food in the house.  I know myself well enough to know if it’s here, I’ll eat it.

Then, the little old ladies entered the picture.  On Wednesday night, my 70+ year old neighbor dropped by….and left a key lime pie cheesecake.   CHEESECAKE!!   Have I mentioned that I LOVE cheesecake?

Then on Saturday we decided to grill some burgers and invited an older female family member (60+) to join us.  Between the time I talked with her and her arrival, she in turn talked to her neighbor (who by the way is late 70’s as well).   The neighbor lady then baked a cherry cobbler AND a Bundt cake pan size pound cake….and sent them both to MY house!   Thankfully, it was a lemon pound cake and I don’t like lemon pound cake, so it’s going to the husbands work tomorrow.  But, CHERRY cobbler???  Come on now, this has got to stop!

Pure evil I tell you!

Sure, you may say to yourself “just don’t eat it”.  My best friend Donna even suggested that I just throw the cheesecake away.   (Donna, you do know there are starving people in Ethiopia and that by eating the cheesecake instead of trashing it, I was in some way helping those Ethiopians, right??)  It’s similar to holding an AA meeting in a brewery after a week of sobriety.   

Anyway, there were some other contributing factors to my weight this week.   The biggest (aside from the cheesecake) was the fact that I finally got a cortisone shot in my foot!  woohoo!  That stuff works fast and the pain is gone!  However, I was told to take it easy for the week, so I didn’t do any exercising.

So the results are in…..drum roll please!   I didn’t gain, or lose.  I held steady at 3lbs. lost thus far.  This week I’m back to walking so next week should be better, right?

Be sure to stop by the Weekly Way In at Eclipsed!

Small Steps

These past few months have been a time of purging for me.  I’ve been cutting strings on a lot of obligations and “good things” that have become burdens and time suckers in an endeavor to focus more on the God things.

I’ve freed up a lot of chunks of time in our weekly calendar.  I’m hoping to get a fixed routine set by the end of August when baseball season is wrapping up and the normal fall/winter scheduled is starting.  

One of the things I want to focus on is myself, not in a selfish way, necessarily.   However, in my last almost 10 years as a wife, mom, homemaker, homeschooler, co-op teacher, Sunday school teacher, and church worker I’ve let myself go, ALOT.

My weight being the biggest (or at least most noticeable) part of that neglect.  So as of last week I decided it’s time to take care of me.  Unfortunately, I’m currently hampered in any exercise attempt due to some serious foot issues in my right foot.  I have a doctor appointment with a 2nd doctor tomorrow to see if we can get a clear picture of what is going on there.

I did take some small steps this week though.  I cut out all drinks with the exception of water and a morning cup of coffee.  Sweet tea has been kicked to the curb, at least for now.   I didn’t do any “I’m bored out of my mind” binge eating at night. 

So my baby steps for this week paid off with a small weight loss, 3 pounds!   It could have been better, or worse, but it is what it is, and it was a small step in the right direction.

Visit the Weekly Weigh In over at Eclipsed to cheer on others in their weight loss endeavors.

I Lost Weight

Just so you know, I have NOT forgotten about losing weight. Sadly life just got in the way of my plans. The weather dropped into the single digits and stayed there. To be honest, I just plain have no desire to get frost bite just to lose weight by walking.

My next plan of attack was my handy dandy "Walk Away the Pounds" DVD's. I can do those from the luxury of my own home, woohoo!! Yeah, well...both the DVD player AND the VCR died within the same week.

None the less, I'm proud to annouce, that despite these set backs, I have dropped 5 pounds. Ok, ok! It's not much, but at least the scale moved in the right direction. So I'll take it!

Baby Steps

Ok, so this week being Thanksgiving is not the absolute best week to start losing weight. But there are excuses almost every week, a birthday dinner, extra cookies left over from snack day etc.

Here are two things I can do that seem small but over time will add up.

1 - trade sweet tea for water (gasp, is this legal in the south???)
2 - cut out the coffee (I only drink it because of the creamer)...I'm on my last bottle of Peppermint Mocha, so when it's gone, it's gone.

Baby steps....oh yeah, did I mention I'm walking too??

Weight Loss

My weight is something that has gotten out of control, and I've ignored it, along with so many other things that are ME related. One thing that I found interesting was that recently, God has pointed out to me that Jesus had paid a VERY high price for me, but yet I wasn't placing any value on myself. So I've been re-evaluating things, trying to take better care of myself. Last week, I got a hair cut!! That may be no big deal to you, but to someone who hasn't had a hair cut in over a year, it was pretty important!

Have you ever noticed how when God starts dealing with you on things, He arranges divine connections for you? One of my absolute FAVORITE homeschool bloggers is Kris at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. I love her humor, her style and her realness. This morning on her blog, she posted a big announcement, that she's starting a new blog entitled Eclipsed: Escaping the Shadow of Obesity

I'm super excited to have someone I "know" walking this path with me...even if only by cyber-world.