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.

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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...