Weigh-In Day

I have actually got on the elliptical twice this week.  Ten minutes each time, increasing my speed the second time.  I have also really watched what I ate this week.  No eating junk food or fast food.  It really paid off because I lost five pounds this week.  So since I went on blood pressure medicine I have lost fifteen pounds.  But to me the most exciting thing that happened this week is my middle number changed.  To a number I haven't seen in a while.  I'm embarrassed at how much I actually weighed when I went to the Doctor.  My immediate family didn't even have no idea.  I asked Megan yesterday and she guessed way low.  But I think she was just trying to be nice.  When I told Makayla last night how much I lost this week she asked me if I could be a certain weight by the summer.  I told her maybe not but possibly close.  I don't want to lose it fast, because my experience has been the slower you lose it the more likely it's not coming back. 
I didn't get this way over night and it's not going to go away overnight.  But it is and will continually to go away.  It has really clicked this time.  I don't want to be on blood pressure medicine or any medicine as for that.  My Mom's side of the family has all lived to be at least 90, some even 100.  So if there's something I can do to live a long healthy life, I want to do it.  I want to be here to see my grand kids grow up, and to be there for the birth of any others that may come along.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's already Wednesday so we know what that means, time for hodgepodge.  To join in the fun hop on over to Joyce's and answer the questions.
1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?

A person that is dedicated to serving and protecting their country.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?
Exercising, I am eating healthier but I have yet the motivation to exercise.  Even getting out and simple walking.
3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?
I had recently graduated high school, and was working at Shoney's.  Saved money for a down payment on a car.  Living at home with no worries.  Worked evenings and spend my days at the beach, what a life.
4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?
I don't eat coconut that much other than in an almond-joy or coconut pound cake, but that's not an issue since I have cut out most of the sugar.  I don't eat mayonnaise at all, mashed potatoes is good but I can take them or leave them.  Vanilla ice cream is too plain.  So if I had to choose one I think the mashed potatoes.

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced?
It was December 1983, I was pregnant with Megan and we were living in this small older house.  I don't remember if there was an ice storm or what, but I remember the electricity going out in the middle of the night and we woke up freezing.  Went to my in-laws and slept.  The next day we went back to the house to get some clothes and the water in the toilet had ice in it.  That's how cold it was in the house.  I don't remember how many days we were without electricity or that we had to stay with my in-laws I just remember that I had never seen ice in a toilet before.
6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?
I have never hosted a brunch but Megan did on Christmas day and made a wonderful breakfast casserole.  So that's what I would prepare because it was delicious and I keep saying I'm going to make one.  Maybe one night for dinner.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?
I try really hard not to think negatively.  If I catch myself doing so though I try to dwell on something positive.  Great uplifting music played loudly helps also.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Not a whole lot going on.  It seems more like Spring than Winter.  The highs have been in the 70's off and on since about Thanksgiving. 

Eating Healthier

I have had a problem with high blood pressure off and on, but on December 16th it all came to a head so to speak.  I woke up that morning with a headache that just wouldn't go away, and just kept feeling worse and worse.  I was out running errands that morning so I checked my blood pressure while I was in wal-mart.  It was 178/90, so I went to the Doctor and according to theirs it was 182/90.  She told me we have to get your blood pressure down.  She checked my blood sugar and cholesterol and they were both fine.  But being putting on medicine for high blood pressure has been an eye opener for me.  I have got to lose weight.  I have to go back to the Doctor in March and at the beginning my goal was to have lost 20 pounds.  But so far I have lost 10, so I'm setting my goal to have lost 30 pounds.  I'm making small goals because if I look at the big picture it can seem overwhelming.  It's also not about the weight, it's about being healthy.  It's about being able to walk up and down stairs, or long distances again without my feet and legs hurting.  It's about being an example for my family that if I can do it so can they. 
How am I doing it?  Some will disagree with it probably but I am drinking Slim-Fast shakes for breakfast and sometimes also for dinner.  But most importantly it's about portion control and eating healthier.  I try to stay away from fried foods, and sugar.  I am learning if it's not in the house I won't eat it.  Also prayer and self-control.  There is an awesome new bakery in town, that makes these monster good cookies.  They use an ice cream scoop if you can imagine how big that makes them.   I had to go to the store beside it a couple of weeks ago,  and I wanted to go in and buy a couple of cookies but I didn't.  Then yesterday I was at Dollar General and they had a shopping cart with boxes of chocolate covered cherries my absolute favorite candy to buy around Christmas.  They were marked down to .60 a box I could have bought several and put them in the freezer.  Which by the way is my favorite way to eat them.  But I stopped looked at them and kept going. 
Not sure if I have mentioned it but my Mother-In-Law gave me a Nook Tablet for Christmas in which I love it.  Scott says I'm addicted to it.  But the only drawback even though it has wi-fi I can't blog on it.  I can read blogs and comment on them but it won't give me my keyboard to actually write a post on it.   Anyways there is a free app on it called Loseit.  I can log what I eat everyday and keep up with my calorie intact, I can also log my exercise and keep up with calories burned.  It also logs the weight I lose.  I began keeping track on a Tuesday so I weigh every Tuesday morning.  It gives you nutritional information on most of your restaurants and it can be mind boggling the calories and sodium in alot of the foods served in them.  So from here on out on Tuesdays I hope to blog about my progress.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I've missed so much time not blogging I get overwhelmed when I think about what I should blog about.  So I guess this is one of the easier ways to ease back into the habit.  Not to mention a great way to get to know fellow bloggers better.  So to join Joyce and the others for Wednesday Hodgepodge just hop on over.


1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?
No I didn't watch.  Can't remember the last time I have watched one.  I have talents, but none that you ever see on Miss America.


2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?
I don't have either one.  Over the years the houseplants that I have had has died.  Either I over or underwater them.  So I finally just gave up on trying.
3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?
I was definetly a hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on me type of student.  But since I have taught children in Sunday School and in a daycare, but never adults.  There is no way I could get up in front of adults and speak at all.
4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?
I always get confused between chinese and japanese.  All I know is I love me some Nikko's shrimp and rice, no veggies.
5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?
A miracle is when there seems to be no hope and God steps in and shows us what He can do with the situation.  Anything that man can't do that only God can perform a miracle. 
6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

Lyrics to When You Wish Apon A Star:

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star

As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.
Can't think of anything I didn't finish yesterday.  Parts of the day was crappy but overall it was pretty good for the most part.  Can't keep letting small things get to me.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am trying really hard to be more patient with some people, and more thankful everyday for what I have. 

This, that, and the other

I can't remember the last time I actually logged on and read any blogs much less posted anything.  I told Megan and Scott the other day that four years ago when we moved.  They both said I needed something to do, something to keep me busy, something to get me out of the house.  Well their wish definitely came true.  If I gave y'all a run-down of a normal week for me you would probably get tired just reading it.  Normal I wonder what that even is sometimes. 
My lack of blogging I wonder if it is because I am so busy, or my latest addictions that also keep me occupied.  Pinterest is one of them, lol.  And the other one is games on facebook and just this past week Megan introduced me to Words with Friends on Facebook.  It's online Scrabble.  But you don't have to sit there for hours.  You play your word when you get the chance and Facebook sends your opponent a notification and they play their turn when they get a chance.  Mine and Megan's first game took three days, but I had beginner's luck.  I won. 
Well hopefully I will be back soon on a more regular basis. 

TSMSS...........Let Me Rediscover You

I keep hearing this song on the radio but couldn't ever remember to look up the name of it.  So one day when I heard it I jotted down the day and time that it played.  Then I  looked it up on the radio website to see what the actual name of it was.  It has become one of my favorites. 
For other great music join Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders. 

YoPlait Yogurt Giveaway

I was just thinking the other day that I needed a day planner for next year.  I have one now that is more like a book and I know some people just don't use those type much these days.  But I love mine,  because I have been so busy this past year.  It really helps me to keep everything organized and in one place.  I've told Scott if you ever need to know anything just look in my day planner. 
So when Blog Spark offered this giveaway needless to say I was a little excited because it included a new daily planner for next year.
But not only that the prize pack includes a coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Light Yogurt.
Small changes can make a big difference over time.  That's why Yoplait Light has created the Yoplait Light Swap to remind people that by making simple substitutions, like swapping one item from your diet per day for a 100 to 110 calorie Yoplait Light, you can cut unwanted calories and help yourself feel great about daily diet choices. 
Yoplait Light yogurt offers 33 different options to choose from in fruit, pastry and dessert flavors that contain around 100 calories or less, providing endless swapping options.

Visit facebook/Yoplait to share your favorite food, exercise and fashion swaps, find recipes and quizzes. Alison Sweeney, host of "The Biggest Loser" and author of The Mommy Diet, offers this Top Swap Tip on how she maintains her weight with a hectic schedule.



One winner will be drawn next Tuesday, September 27th for the Yoplait prize pack.

It includes the daily planner, the coupon for one free cup of Yoplait Light, an insulated tote bag, a sunglass holder, water bottle, and a ballpoint pen.

To enter please leave a comment telling, which of the 33 available flavors of Yoplait Light yogurt do you plan to swap into your diet the most?
 
 
 

"Disclosure: The Yoplait Light Swap prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark."