Sausage Ball Stand-Off

Last night the kids and I stayed over at my parents' house as we sometimes do when Justin is on shift. Around 7 pm my 4 year-old declared that he would like some sausage balls. My saintly mother promptly obliged. She sat down and for about 20 minutes used her hands to mix the most irresistible sausage balls this side of heaven. Seriously unbelievable.

Side note: I think they'll have sausage balls in heaven, don't you?

Now, I have been given a spirit of self-control, but COME. ON. I had to smell all 5 batches being baked. I refrained. I then had to wake up at 3 am with a coughing hacking baby and sit in the same room with them on an empty stomach. I refrained. I then had to watch everyone else eat them for breakfast while I ate my Raisin Bran and banana.

In the past, I would have already put away a whole bag of those puppies but it really wasn't that difficult to pass them up this go round. I know what they taste like. I've had plenty in my lifetime. I know how to make them. I know where to have them made for me. If I just HAVE to have a sausage ball at some point in my life--I can. But for now, I'm good.

Sausage Ball, you CAN'T defeat me!

Ugly/Beautiful Truth

So--Melissa from the Biggest Loser. We all pretty much can't stand her. She's a liar, according to Bob and Jillian. She's a tad obnoxious. She cries an awful lot.

But.

But last night I had a revelation. I AM Melissa. We all are a little bit. Haven't we all lied when it comes to our bodies and this weight loss thing? At some point haven't we allowed the truth to bend? I say yes, we have.

I have had a perfect week on paper and acted surprised when the scale didn't reflect it, even though I knew the paper wasn't reality. I lied.

I have looked at my face and only my face in the mirror for so long, that I began to forget the rest of me existed. As long as the face is presentable, I'm okay. Right? No. I lied.

I have avoided social situations that are uncomfortable many times because I am self conscious. I would say that I didn't feel like it or that wasn't really my cup of tea. I lied.

I have gone to the gym and given about 10% of the effort I could to the workout and about 90% to the TV there...only to return home without ever being able to regain those minutes I took from my kids, my husband, myself. I lied.

I have driven through a fast food restaurant on my way home from work and then proceeded to sit down to a full course dinner with my family. And get seconds. I lied.

I have tried to convince myself that it's what's on the inside that counts, even though I never thought twice about what I put INSIDE mouth. I have chosen to believe that I could simply disregard exercise and the conditioning of my body because "I am not that vain."

I chose to believe a lie. Though subtle, these are LIES.

When Bob looked at Melissa last night and told her that she had gained his respect back, I felt like he could have been talking to me. Because I'm not lying to myself anymore. Huge. I have come face to face with the ugly truth of what I am, but in doing so I am now also face to face with the beautiful truth of what I can become.

So I submit to myself, Melissa, and fat girls everywhere--

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Banana-Nut Shake

1 c. Unsweet Vanilla Almond Breeze (Albertson's, Market Street)
1 Weight Watchers vanilla smoothie mix
1/2 banana, cut up
1/2 tsp vanilla

Throw it all in the blender and blend until smooth. It tastes like homemade banana-nut ice cream...melted. And it fills up a tall frosty glass! (3 ww points, 1 milk)

*Note: The Almond Breeze is very good on cereal and only 1 point per CUP!

Being a Stickler

I have a really good friend who recently lost nearly 100 lbs. in about a year. He has been an inspiration to the people around him and I have to say I am very proud of him. I hope to soon be able to share his story along with before and after pictures. (Hint, hint, Incognito*)

I think it is always a good idea to note habits of successful "losers" and try to follow suit wherever possible. One of the things that this individual was not afraid to do in his weight loss endeavor was to stick to his food plan no matter what.

He goes on several out-of-state hunting trips every year. I'm sure the food they eat on these trips is not exactly a picture of health. On each of the trips my friend took his own food and ate it for every meal. I think that took a lot of guts even though he says it was no big deal.

Another example of him being a food stickler is family meals. He would eat BEFORE he went. He did not even eat one single thing when he was there. I don't know what he did while everyone else was eating. I guess you could sit at the table and drink a glass of water. Chew some gum...

Even though this practice might be offensive to the maker of the meals, if it is something that helps you stay true to your plan--then by all means you should do it. You are the one who has to live with yourself and however little or much fat that might include. If forgoing a family meal is one way to help reach your goals, don't be afraid to do just that. And don't feel guilty either.

Some weight loss programs encourage you to be "flexible." In situations like those I have mentioned above, one might be taught to eat small portions of whatever is offered and just keep track of it. I think this can work for some, but for others it won't. For some people it is so much more stress-free to be able to stick to the plan they have laid out and know the exact nutritional stats of what they are eating. {That would be true for me}

I have learned from my friend that successful weight loss requires hard work and consistency. It's not always a "walk in the park" as some programs make it out to be. We are not always going to be comfortable and full. We are not always going to be able to eat whatever is at the party. I have also learned from him that you gotta do what you gotta do to stay on track. No matter what other people think.

If you are reading this and in the same boat as me (trying not to be fat anymore) I would encourage you to examine your lifestyle, where food is concerned, and make sure there is nothing you are allowing to hinder your progress just because you want to please someone else or not look silly. Don't be afraid to make necessary changes. In the long run everyone will be glad you did including the most important person--YOU!

Today's Special

I thought I would share one of my meal plans for this week.

Breakfast:
1 cup Raisin Bran (200 cal)
.5 cup skim milk (50 cal)
1 banana (100 cal)

Lunch:
2 slices Whole Wheat Bread (100 cal)
2 oz. deli turkey (50 cal)
1 slice pepper jack cheese (90 cal)
mixed greens
banana peppers
1 cup blackberries (50 cal)
2 tsp. strawberry low fat yogurt (50 cal)

Dinner
4 tsp. olive oil {for cooking} (100 cal)
3 oz chicken breast (350 cal)
2 oz. whole wheat pasta (200)
2 tsp. basil pesto (50 cal)
1 cup zucchini
1 cup mushrooms

Snack:
1 apple (90 cal)
1 T peanut butter (100 cal)

Apx. 1600 cal - 200 cal burned at gym = 1400 cal (net)

Yeah--this is how much food I ate and lost 3 pounds last week. Pretty cool.

(I am following the government food pyramid guidelines. I know that may seem kind of old-school, but it works and that is what First Place 4 Health uses.)