Pants on the Ground (Almost)

What you are looking at here is a little thing I like to call "ROOM." It's a nice quality to have in certain parts of clothing like, say the waist of a pair of jeans. A buttoned pair of pants that I can actually pull away from my flesh is totally cool. Too bad they look like this from behind now...

Doesn't it kind of look like these clothes are falling off of me? Yeah. Cause they are.

Tonight was my FP4H meeting. This is when I usually weigh-in, and I did, but I have decided to change my official weigh-in day/time to Monday morning on my own scale. It is too confusing to always wonder. Just to kill the suspense, I did not reach Onederland tonight, although it is possible that I could be there in the morning. We shall see.

On another note, a sort-of somber note, my meeting leader was not there tonight. Her father is terminally ill and in the final days, likely hours, of his life. Our leader is a strong woman of the Lord and she is an inspiration to me. While at his bedside, this is the text message she sent our group shortly before the meeting this afternoon:

Watching my dad laying here holding onto life, while the Best is close if he would just let go, I am reminded of our study this week. He wants to transform us. What are we waiting on? Let go and let Christ change you. He is waiting.

If you know Christ then you understand the profound nature of that message. If you don't know Him, you really should. He makes this journey so meaningful. I'd love to tell you about Him so email me if you want: keeliesue@live.com.

Please say a prayer for my leader and her family. She's also my mom...

A "Flab"ulous Diagram

These pics were taken a couple of weeks apart. You know me, always have to compare:)

How to Stop Your Smacker

My top 5 tricks for preventing unnecessary eating:

1. Always have lipstick and LOTS of gloss on.
2. Wear the tightest pants possible w/out muffin top.
3. Look at old "skinny" pics.
4. Blog.
5. Pray or recite scripture I have memorized.

What are yours?

Bangs

Last night I cut my bangs. Short. Asymmetrical. I used a cheap, dull pair of scissors. It made me so happy. I'm not necessarily recommending anyone else do this, but if you have an old, dull pair of scissors, why the heck not?

I'm noticing that as the number on the scale goes down my sassy factor goes up. Sweet.

Food Faves & Finds No.2

A peek into my fridge and pantry...

Gotta have grapes on hand! Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies. I have been known to eat the whole bunch in one sitting...but that's okay! Guilt free.

Just enough fruit. The lemon is for making dressing and cooking fish. I decided to try a tangelo this week--been hearing great things about them. The apple I usually eat with some peanut butter. Banana cut up in a bowl of Total Raisin Bran is my favorite breakfast.

These are the meats I got for this week. The salmon should make 2 or 3 meals for me. No one else in the house will eat it. They have NO idea what they're missing!

Pickled okra--this is an AMAZING snack. Whenever I feel like eating my arm off, I simply have half a jar of PO instead. A much better choice, I think.

Another delightful snack--laughing cow cheese wedges with crackers. If I close my eyes it's almost like I'm eating Easy Cheese (from the can). Almost.

These ingredients+chicken made my Asian lettuce Wraps.

These ingredients made a new family favorite: Tortilla Pizzas. The turkey pepperoni was great!

I've also tried a Barbecue Chicken Pizza with this method--tastes just like CPK!

My new item challenge for this week (to purchase something I've never eaten/prepared before) are these turnips and rutabagas. I will be roasting them with potatoes and onions one night. Hope it goes better than the artichoke from last week! ***Update: Turns out I do NOT like turnips or rutabagas. What are the odds?

Okay, your turn!If you have a great recipe, favorite "on-plan" food, new food discovery, please--share it with us! Enter the link to your Food Faves and Finds post below and be sure to grab a button!

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Did I just run 5K?

Why yes, I did. Thanks for asking.

Okay. Let me tell you how this went down. I have been sick for about a week. Been trying not to whine about it, but I have been wiped out. I have been dragging my butt to the gym through all of this, but my heart's not been in it. My heart's been in a tissue and a hot shower.

However, I have a goal that I am working toward this week--trying to get to Onederland folks. I know it's a bit of a stretch, but is it really a goal if your not stretching? I think not. So I decided to go for 2 miles at the gym today to make up for the past week of slacking off. Note: Technically I am not scheduled to be at 2 miles for another 5 weeks or so.

I didn't want the treadmill to cut off after 20 min like it does on the manual setting. When this happens I have to stop running, reset it, I lose my "calories burned" screen, etc. So I decided to choose the 5K mode and just stop after 2 miles.

What happened next is nothing short of a miracle. I set the speed to 4.3 and began. I was watching Bill and Giuliana on The View (who I love) and feeling virtually no pain. After about 1 mile I thought, Could I possibly? Nah... But I kept going. The numbers kept clicking away and I kept going. I kept going until I had burned 400 calories. I kept going for 41 minutes and 30 seconds. I kept going until I had run an entire 5K without stopping.

This is one of the greatest accomplishments for me ever. Seriously. Less because of what my body did but more because of what my mind did.

My memory verse from last week was: "I can do anything though Christ who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:13

Isn't THAT the truth!?

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, cut into little pieces
dash of garlic powder
dash of ginger
dash of cumin
1 bag frozen stir-fry veggies
4 T peanut butter
1/3 c. Teriyaki sauce
1/2 c. chicken stock
1 squeeze of a lemon
1 head Bibb lettuce

Directions
1. Spray a large pan with Olive Oil Pam. Bring to med/high heat and put chicken in pan. Add spices. (If you like spicy, then add some red pepper, too) Cook until golden brown on all sides.

2. Turn heat down to med/low. Add Teriyaki sauce, chicken stock, and peanut butter. Stir until sauce is smooth.

3. Add veggies and turn temp back up just a bit. Add another layer of spices. Cover.

4. Let steam until veggies are warmed through. Uncover, squeeze in a bit of lemon juice and let simmer until sauce is beginning to thicken.

5. Remove from heat and serve on lettuce leaves.

Yields 10 wraps, apx. 100 calories each.
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I ate 4 of these for lunch today and it was very filling. Only 400 calories with nearly 5 grams of fiber and lots of protein.

I think I would like them just as much without the peanut butter, so I may leave that out next time. It does add a richness and helps thicken the sauce though. I have heard some people talk about powdered peanut butter? Perhaps that would be an option.

Anyway--if you try these let me hear about it.

Subtle Changes

I am assuming no one gets tired of progress pics, 'cause I sure don't. These "before" pics were taken 20 days ago. I was really surprised to be able to notice changes in that amount of time. But I did.

• Comp #1: Changes in my face are evident and hips, perhaps?
• Comp #2: Check out the bottom of the shirt--it is covering half of my rear in the second pic. The "butt in front" is getting smaller, too.
• Comp #3: The shirt is fitting much better now. Less dented flab on the arms. Lower abdomen is flatter. Significantly less boobage. Why are they always the first to go?

Again--I must encourage you. If you aren't taking pictures, START! I have never done this before and I assure you it is helping me so much. I am seeing the little changes that I would probably not notice otherwise and that's what is keeping me going.

Sometimes it seems like the scale is lying to us, but I promise photos never do!

Reader Questions Answered

I am so honored to have recently received awards from some special bloggers! You know how these work; you receive an award and then you spill the beans about yourself. So, here goes-- more than you EVER wanted to know about me...

Thanks to Katie and Kerri from In College, In Shape and also to Kelly from Journey to a New Me for passing on the Beautiful Blogger Award!

For this award I need to share 7 interesting facts about myself. I am going to kill two birds with one stone and answer some reader questions that I don't think I've ever answered.

1. How are you losing weight besides exercise? I am a member of First Place 4 Health. This is a healthy living program that focuses on a concept called the 4 sided person. The 4 sides are physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental. Each week I complete a Bible study that focuses on different aspects of healthy living and how to apply God's Word. I attend a weekly meeting where I weigh in, receive teaching (very similar to a Weight Watchers meeting), and review the Bible study. My eating plan is based on the government food pyramid, and my weight. Currently I am eating 1400-1600 calories per day. Here's a sample week's menu.

2. What type of exercise do you do? I am a member at a small gym where I do cardio and weight training 3-4 days a week. For cardio I mainly stay on the treadmill. I am currently running 1.5 miles and am upping that distance weekly. I alternate working lower muscle groups and upper. I do 2 reps of 15 on each machine with moderate weight. On days I can't go to the gym (when my hunk of a firefighter husband is on duty) I try to do something at home such as Biggest Loser Yoga or Cardio Max. They are both great.

3. How tall are you? I am 5'4"

4. What are some of your favorite go-to meals? The most common meal you will find around here is some type of protein simply cooked in a pan with seasonings and a few Tablespoons of olive oil. Chicken is the most popular, with pork and tilapia a close second. I cook all of them the same way. Tilapia takes about 7-8 min. (4 on each side, med. heat), pork a little bit longer (we buy the thin, boneless chops so I can have 2:) and chicken, if your butterfly a boneless, skinless breast takes just a little bit longer. I usually always have a mixed green salad with a simple homemade vinaigrette, either lemon/Dijon or balsamic. Favorite veggies include broiled asparagus, roasted potatoes, sauteed squash. I am working on a couple of new recipes that I will share (if they are good): Chicken Enchiladas and Asian Lettuce Wraps.

5. Any advice on how to lose the first 10 lbs.? I know this isn't going be very helpful, but for me the first 10 pounds is always the easiest. I guess because I am usually starting out at a large weight, I can almost lose that much in a week--without even trying too hard. But, obviously that isn't the norm. I'd say if you are having trouble with the first 10 pounds, change something. That isn't expert advice or anything, just what I would do. Not change anything major but something that you could easily knock out of your diet or easily add to your exercise regime. For instance, I love salt, but I know it is my enemy. I am waiting until I plateau and then plan to cut the salt significantly to give me a little boost.

6. Where do you live? I live in a small town about an hour north of Dallas, Texas. I grew up in this town, as did my husband. It doesn't have all the amenities of a city, but this is where my heart is. I will never leave.

7. Why are you so brave? (refers to taking pics in bathing suit, of muffin tops, sharing actual weights, etc.) I think the best answer I can give for this question is something an inspirational blogger left as a comment for me the other day:

"The thing is...I'm not ashamed of who I am or who I was because I'm becoming the person I want to be." ♥Kenz♥

Right on, ♥Kenz♥!

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Thanks also to Alexandra from Adventures of a Done Girl Named Alex for the Creative Blogger Award!

Rules for this award are:
1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you.
4. Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth.
5. Nominate seven "Creative Writers" who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them

• My favorite show on television is Sports Center on ESPN.
• I hate to cook, craft, shop and travel.
• I never want to go on a 15 day Mediterranean cruise.
• I do not love rich, fudgy, chocolaty desserts with ice cream on top.
• I am a neat, orderly person who keeps a very structured and methodical home.
• I made it to the final round of American Idol several years ago, in my hey-day.
• Every time I play hide-and-go-seek or go shopping at Marshall's, I immediately need to pee.

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And thanks also to Annette from The Smith Family for this very cool award:

For this award I need to tell where I see myself in 10 years...

In 10 years I will be 40 years old. I will have a teenager and a pre-teen (YIKES!). My husband and I will have been married for nearly 20 years. I hope to be living in the house of my dreams...nothing too extravagant but exactly the way I want it. It is my dream to own a bakery so hopefully I will be living that out in 10 years. (Ironic, isn't it?) I will be serving a loving God and living each day to the fullest. I will be in the best shape of my life and in a size 6.

-----------------------------------------------

Now I am supposed to pass these awards on to my favorite bloggers. I have learned from some other sneaky wise people that if you are ever going to break the rules, these blog awards are a good time to do it. So I am going to award anyone who has ever left me a comment on REAL FAT. And I SERIOUSLY do want to honor you! Your encouragement means WAY more than you probably know and I really don't think I would be doing this without your support. Really don't. So, display your awards proudly and tell me all about you! I really, really want to know. You can pick any or all of the awards.

On a different note: I am happy to report that I feel like all my bloggy friends are starting to get it back in gear, self included. This is a great achievement--getting past the first hump. Moving right along...

Down But Not Out

What is up with all the "down" attitudes around the blogosphere this week? I thought it was just me, but I have read blog after blog of peeps who are super frustrated and having a hard time. I haven't posted about it much, but I have felt myself slipping a time or two in the past few days. I am starting to lose the fire I began with. Why is this happening to us? WHY?!!

I had time to think while I was perusing aisles at the supermarket tonight and it hit me. Biggest Loser fans--you will get this. We are at the point in the show where one of the super heavy-weights is holding onto the rails of the treadmill. Pretty soon Bob comes up to tell them to get their blankety-blank hands off the blankety-blank treadmill. Then the person says they can't. They start to cry. Bob laughs in their face and hurls a few more obscenities their way...

But underneath it all--the spitting, the cursing, the rage--what Bob is really trying to say is: DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP.

This is when they... I... YOU have always given up before. Am I right? This is when it isn't new anymore. Going to workout doesn't have quite the same appeal it did. It is getting harder. The pounds aren't melting off and it's just not as rewarding as it used to be. This is the crossroads we all come to and we have to make a choice.

This time I say we make a different choice. We have to. Do whatever you need to do. Cry, scream, eat a gallon of ice cream (okay, maybe don't do that) but whatever you do, when you are done doing it--choose to press on. There is a prize to be had and I, for one, have never gone far enough to reach it. This time I am. I SO am.

Are you?

The Incredible Shrinking Muffin

Weigh In: 1.5 lb. Loss

Tonight I weighed in at 203.5 for a total loss of 25.5 lbs. YES! I was a bit of a slacker this week as I had a cold and didn't feel like giving it my all at the gym. And then there was the Doritos incident...but next week is a different story. I have big plans for next week.

My internet is not cooperating, or I would show you a picture of how my muffin is morphing! I'm still not ready to wear the size 16 jeans out in public, but if I had to I don't think I would qualify as one of the People of Wal Mart anymore. Now if that ain't a NSV, I don't know what is.

Other NSVs

• rediscovered my legs


• walk/jogged 3 miles in 45 minutes


• met goal of 1.5 miles @ 4.7 pace on treadmill 3 x's


• fat roll on lower abdomen no longer wraps around my body--just sits in front, thus making the front view sillhouette much more tolerable

If you'll excuse me, I need go pack for this week's trip now. Got a one-way ticket to Onederland, baby!

I've Got Legs-- Because I Use Them!

I was passing by a mirror this morning, still in my nightgown, when I happened to notice my legs. I did a double take! I know they have a bit more mass to them than I would like, but I was so excited!



I went and found the only pair of heels I own, put 'em on and proceeded to check myself out for a while. Whoo hoo! I can show my knees again. This will be very helpful come June when it is 2,000 degrees.



On another note, I was reminded yesterday of my pesky food-addict tendencies still lurking dangerously nearby. I wanted to eat all day long. Like seriously stuff my face with anything I could get my hands on kind of eat. The only slip I had was eating about 2 servings of Doritos while feeding my kids lunch. (My husband bought those, not me.)

Instead of polishing off the whole bag, once I stopped long enough to realize what was happening, I decided to go for a 3 mile walk/jog to my parents' house for dinner instead of riding in the car. It worked out nicely and I did the 3 miles in about 45 minutes.

Old habits die hard I suppose, but new ones provide the balance needed for success. Now, let's take one more look at those legs...



Back later for weigh in results! Have a great afternoon.

Friday Night Granola

It's Friday night. An evening to let your hair down, head out on the town and let the stresses of the week just melt away. Hmm. You know what I did tonight? I went to Dollar General.

We live in a small town, like 1,000 people. We have a Sonic, a gas station and a Dollar General. When the hum-drum of life starts to get me down, it's just a place I can go. A nice respite.

I'm kidding. I hate going to Dollar General but I wanted to make some granola and thought they might have some things I needed. It's no Whole Foods, but it works. And this may not be the most glamorous of Friday night escapades, but for me, again--it works.

Granola has a lot of healthy stuff in it, but it's usually high in sugar, fat(if nuts are involved) and calories. I tried to make a modified low(er) cal version. This still has 150 calories per 1/2 cup.

Friday Night Granola

Dry Ingredients
4 cups "quick" oats
1/2 cup coconut
10 packets Equal sweetener
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients
1 individual applesauce cup
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla

Add-ins
1/2 cup dried mixed berries (cherries, golden raisins, cranberries)
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped

Directions
1. Mix all the dry ingredients together.

2. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add all the wet ingredients into the well.

3.Toss it all like a big salad until it's well mixed, but not overly so.

4. Spread evenly on 2 cookie sheets and place in a preheated 350°F oven.

5. Most important step, make sure you stir or mix the granola every ten minutes so that you don't end up with any burned pieces. It's kind of a pain but you'll regret it if you don't!

6. Bake for 30 minutes.

7. Let cool, incorporate Add-ins.

8. Store in air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.

Now I have to be honest about the granola--it wasn't absolutely fantastic. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it was the lack of nuts, brown sugar and oil. :) But it was fun to make. Anyone have a more interesting Friday night to speak of?

Oh, I doubt it.

Food Faves & Finds No.1

I found this great recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup at Living by Faith, Hope and Love. It was terrific! I added a can of rinsed and drained black beans. This is a great crock pot meal to have on hand during these final (we hope!) frigid days of winter. And I would guess it's between 150 & 200 calories per cup. Yum!

At my First Place meeting last week we were challenged to visit a new or unfamiliar area of our grocery store this week. There really isn't an area I'm not familiar with (ha!) but there are some items that I have never tried before. I decided that with each trip to the store I would choose something from this category to bring home--just to keep things lively.

This week I attempted to prepare an artichoke. Yes, there is another way besides opening a can. I could kick myself for not taking pictures! Quite a process. Really the only good thing I can say about it is that the vibrant green color would be great on a wall in my house. It was way too much trouble (maybe I did it wrong) and it tasted like dirt. Or worse.

So, that's my contribution for this week. If you have a post related to a food favorite or find that could benefit us all on our weight loss adventures, please link it up below. You can use the button in your post or put it on your sidebar so others can find all the great ideas!

Don't leave me hangin'.

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