I slipped up!

I did pretty well today, I managed to hang in there during the instructional video for Billy Blanks Tae-Bo and even worked up a pretty good sweat. But... I got a little discouraged when I went to J.C.Pennys and tried on a size "20" only to find the button and the button hole "weren't even in the same state!" My muffing top was in FULL EFFECT!!... so I just sat and "talked to it while looking in the mirror. I told it- it HAD TO GO. My daughter was trying to tell me "it's not THAT bad, but God love her :) she does her best to cheer me up when it comes to "Belly-Bashing" :)

I also allowed anxiety over money to creep in and take over a portion of my thoughts and when I got home... AFTER my daughter went to bed, I waited until 1:30 a.m. to eat a bowl of Gumbo and 2 slices of "mmmm good sweet potato pie". Notice how I can't just call it Pie...it's SO good (cuz I make it myself) so I call it "mmmmm good pie!" :) BUT ... I DIDN'T eat the last two deviled eggs. I caught myself trying to talk myself into eating them, but I touched the muffin top, and told it... it wouldn't win. I'm getting better at forgiving myself for a few slip-ups. I think if I would go to bed at a decent hour that I would have a higher success rate.

I have noticed I am an emotional eater, when I get anxious about anything... I EAT. I eat for other reasons but anxiety seems to be the trigger for a lot of unnecessary eating. I know that I have got to take my hands off the financial issue because I'm so excited to watch Him show the nonbeliever trying to block my blessing simply because she "doesn't like me"... God has already told me, "It's going to be alright" so with His unfailing word, I will go to bed and REST knowing that money will NOT be an issue! It's 2:45 a.m. right now and I've developed a progressively worse sleep pattern but I plan to work on that too!

I hope we all learn to love ourselves as we are, flaws and "fabulous-ness" we are bless through it all.!!

Take care,

Rhonda

Don't do THESE work-out tapes!!

I attempted to try something " new" during my workout today and I promise I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN! I stuck in a dance tape of Paula Abdul's dance work out (YES Ms. Paula!- I found the tape for $.99 @ Goodwill)- unless you weigh 100lbs and own a large non-carpeted workout studio....run in the other direction of this one!! I was a "Hammer-time wanna be, in the 90's I was jumpin' around like I was crazy- cuz I weighed 150 lbs of MUSCLE... This tape was created in 2000 but she's got a lot of the 1990's dance moves. It was very challenging and I did work up a sweat, much to the delight of my 10 yr old :) Paula advises not to do this if you are on a carpet floor because you could injure your knees and I AGREE. I tried it ANYWAY and my poor knees are tinglin' and swelling as we speak. So pass on Paula. :)

I also did a little of Billy Blanks BASIC TAE-BO and it wasn't' too bad. I'm not jumping up and down, I'm keeping it very low-impact but I found it a nice challenge. I also bought several in his series the 8 minute workout, the Kickboxing (I think it's kickboxing or something similar), and a few others. I 'm going to start with the Basic and go at my own pace... I will not be intimidated by the 97 lb folks jumpin and sweatin' behind him. I am 300 lbs and I'd like to think I've learned that I'm not "twinkle-toes" anymore :)

I overdid it a little when eating today, but not as bad as I usually would. I made Gumbo with Shrimp, Sausage, Crabmeat and Chicken- it was spicy and delicious and normally I would have eaten a bowl every time I passed the pot, but I managed to only eat two bowls between 5 p.m and 10 p.m. Now the sweet-potato pie is a little different :) I started with a "sliver w/ whipped cream at 4 p.m. and then a regular slice w/whipped cream at 6p.m , then a "mmmm good slice" at 10:30 p.m. I know I've got to stop eating after 8 p.m. but I'm not gonna freak out over it today. The positive part is that I didn't overeat as much as I normally would because in the past I would have eaten at least 6 bowls of Gumbo, and at least 6 slices of "mmmmm good" pie :0 I'll take the small victories where I can find them. :)

Hope all of you had a fantastic day also! Let me know how your first day of 2008 went!

Words to Live By- Challenge Yourself!

I heard someone say yesterday that when they stand before the Lord and are asked to empty their pockets of all the "left-over" talent they received throughout their life but had not used...that they would have NOTHING to return because they would have used EVERY PORTION and MEASURE of TALENT/BLESSINGS/GIFTS that God had bestowed upon them in their lifetime.! Please stay mindful daily that this is NOT a test run...a day we lose to negativity is LOST FOREVER, every second we use to be a blessing to ourselves and other is an opportunity to bless and change a life. We all have a purpose- we are all gifted, use challenges as an opportunity to prove to God we CAN walk IN faith and BY Faith and TRUST HIM to bring us through it!! Life is an INSURMOUNTABLE OPPORTUNITY!!! There are SO MANY BLESSINGS WAITING FOR US. Don't sell yourself short, no matter how much we weigh- we are all children of God who were designed to revel in His Glory. Shame is not a part of HIS plan for us. Challenge yourself to focus on the positive even in the face of uncertainty. Cry when you must to release the tension but CRY OUT to God while you're going through it and Rest in HIS arms when you are drained from fighting the "world". NEVER give up because we are not designed to be failures- the world wants us to THINK so, but Press on Toward the Mark!!

This is one of the most inspirational and motivational passages I have EVER read. I borrowed this from the web page of another BV member. I hope it challenges all who read it to be the very best they can be.

Though well-used, this is still a wonderful quote to reflect on. It is from Marianne Williamson's "A Return to Love...Reflections on a Course in Miracles.

""Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Use these words as encouragement throughout your faith walk :)

I appreciate you allowing me to share encouraging words with you!

Snacks !!!!!

100 Calorie Snacks: 20 Choices
Need some ideas? To get you started on the road to calorie-controlled snacking, our experts offer some suggestions for healthy 100-calorie munchies:
1. Half an apple with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter
2. An orange and a few dry-roasted nuts
3. 10 cashew nuts
4. 10 almonds
5. 2 ounces of lean roast beef
6. Half a small avocado
7. 3 ounces cooked whole-grain noodles with 1 fresh tomato and 1/2 ounce hard cheese
8. 1 seven-grain Belgian waffle
9. 4 mini rice cakes with 2 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese
10. 3 ounces low-fat cottage cheese and 3 whole-wheat crackers
11. 1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing with mixed raw veggies
12. 6 Wheat Thins crackers with two teaspoons of peanut butter (or any nut butter)
13. 1 small baked potato with 1/2 cup salsa and 2 tablespoons of fat-free sour cream
14. 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce with 1 slice of whole-wheat toast, cut into 4 strips for dunking
15. 1/2 cup frozen orange juice, eaten as sorbet
16. 2 large graham cracker squares with 1 teaspoon peanut butter
17. 3 handfuls of unbuttered popcorn, seasoned with herbs
18. 4-6 ounces of no-fat or low-fat yogurt
19. A 5-ounce tossed salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and 1/4 cup fat-free dressing
20. Half a "finger" of string cheese with 4 whole-wheat crackers

Here I GO!!!!! Goodbye Muffin Top!!!

Good Morning,
Today is the first day of my path to personal success! Due to the holiday, I have had a REAL issue with waking up at a decent time. Unbelievably, I woke up at 10:34 a.m.( after going to bed at 3:02 a.m.- I know... I'll do better because I NEED predictable sleep patterns for my body if I want to make it healthy :)) The first thing my mind did was-->try to talk me OUT of working out-"cuz I'm sooooo tired!" but I'm moving forward just as I planned and I'm gonna do this for ME!! Muffin-top...--> BE GONE!!

Try these Tips!...

I received this wonderful information for WebMD: 12/30/07
Everyone knows the keys to losing weight: Eat less and exercise more. Sounds simple enough, but in the context of real life and its demands, it can be anything but simple. So how do successful losers do it? To find out, WebMD asked experts across the country for their best diet tips.
Here's what they said:
1: Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages.
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. So you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold glass of water is really what you need. "If you don't like plain water, try adding citrus or a splash of juice, or brew infused teas like mango or peach, which have lots of flavor but no calories," says Cynthia Sass, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
2: Think about what you can add to your diet, not what you should take away.
Start by focusing on getting the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. "It sounds like a lot, but it is well worth it, because at the same time you are meeting your fiber goals and feeling more satisfied from the volume of food," says chef Laura Pansiero, RD. You're also less likely to overeat because fruits and vegetables displace fat in the diet. And that's not to mention the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. More than 200 studies have documented the disease-preventing qualities of phytochemicals found in produce, says Pansiero.
Her suggestion for getting more: Work vegetables into meals instead of just serving them as sides on a plate. "I love to take seasonal vegetables and make stir-fries, frittatas, risotto, pilafs, soups, or layer on sandwiches," Pansiero says. "It is so easy to buy a variety of vegetables and incorporate them into dishes."
3: Consider whether you're really hungry.
Whenever you feel like eating, look for physical signs of hunger, suggests Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry? "Hunger is your body's way of telling you that you need fuel, so when a craving doesn't come from hunger, eating will never satisfy it," she says. When you're done eating, you should feel better -- not stuffed, bloated, or tired.
"Your stomach is only the size of your fist, so it takes just a handful of food to fill it comfortably," says May. Keeping your portions reasonable will help you get more in touch with your feelings of hunger and fullness.
4: Be choosy about nighttime snacks.
Mindless eating occurs most frequently after dinner, when you finally sit down and relax. "Sitting down with a bag of chips or cookies in front of the television is an example of eating amnesia, where you mindlessly eat without being hungry, but out of habit," says American Dietetic Association spokesperson Malena Perdomo, RD.
Either close down the kitchen after a certain hour, or allow yourself a low-calorie snack, like a 100-calorie pack of cookies or a half-cup scoop of low-fat ice cream. Once you find that you're usually satisfied with the low-cal snack, try a cup of zero-calorie tea, suggests Perdomo.
5: Enjoy your favorite foods.
"I think putting your favorite foods off limits leads to weight gain because it triggers 'rebound' overeating," says Sass. Instead of cutting out your favorite foods altogether, be a slim shopper. Buy one fresh bakery cookie instead of a box, or a small portion of candy from the bulk bins instead of a whole bag."You can enjoy your favorite foods, but you must do so in moderation," says Sass.
6: Enjoy your treats away from home.
When you need a treat, Ellie Krieger, RD, host of Food Network's Healthy Appetite, suggests taking a walk to your local ice cream parlor or planning a family outing. "By making it into an adventure, you don't have to worry about the temptation of having treats in the house, and it is a fun and pleasurable way to make it work when you are trying to lose weight," says Krieger.
And for those times you just can't get out? Krieger stocks her kitchen with fresh fruit, which she thinks can be every bit as delicious as any other dessert.
7: Eat several mini-meals during the day.
If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. But when you're hungry all the time, eating fewer calories can be challenging. "Studies show people who eat 4-5 meals or snacks per day are better able to control their appetite and weight," says obesity researcher Rebecca Reeves, DrPH, RD.
She recommends dividing your daily calories into smaller meals or snacks and enjoying as many of them as you can early in the day -- dinner should be the last time you eat.
8: Eat protein at every meal.
Protein is more satisfying than carbohydrates or fats, and thus may be the new secret weapon in weight control. " Diets higher in protein [and] moderate in carbs, along with a lifestyle of regular exercise, have an excellent potential to help weight loss," says University of Illinois protein researcher Donald Layman, PhD. Getting enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning while keeping you feeling full. So be sure to include healthy protein sources, like yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans, at meals and snacks.
9: Spice it up.
Add spices or chiles to your food for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied. "Food that is loaded with flavor will stimulate your taste buds and be more satisfying so you won't eat as much," says Perdomo. When you need something sweet, suck on a red-hot fireball candy for a long-lasting burst of sweetness with just a few calories.
10: Stock your kitchen with healthy convenience foods.
Having ready-to-eat snacks and meals-in-minutes staples on hand sets you up for success. You'll be less likely to hit the drive-through or call in a pizza order if you can make a healthy meal in 5 or 10 minutes. Sass stocks her kitchen with:
· 94% fat-free microwave popcorn (20-25 calories per cup, and you can make it in two minutes or less)
· Frozen vegetables
· Bags of pre-washed greens
· Canned diced tomatoes
· Canned beans
· Whole-grain wraps or pitas
· Pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts
· A few containers of pre-cooked brown rice
Within minutes, she can toss together a healthy medley.
11: Order child-sized portions at restaurants.
"When you are eating out, order a child's pizza or a small sandwich as an easy way to trim calories and get your portions under control," suggest Perdomo. Another trick is to use smaller plates. This helps the portions look like more, and if your mind is satisfied, your stomach likely will be, too.
12: Eat foods in season.
"If you don't love certain fruits or vegetables, it could be because you ate them out of season when they have little taste or flavor," says Pensiero. "When you eat seasonally, fruits and vegetables are more flavorful, at their best, and I promise you won't be disappointed." At GiGi's Trattoria, her restaurant in Rhinebeck, N.Y., she serves simple fruit desserts, like naturally sweet strawberries topped with aged balsamic vinegar, or low-fat yogurt or fresh berries in a compote.
13: Swap a cup of pasta for a cup of vegetables.
Simply by eating less pasta or bread and more veggies, you could lose a dress or pants size in a year. "You can save from 100-200 calories if you reduce the portion of starch on your plate and increase the amount of vegetables," says Sass.
14: Use non-food alternatives to cope with stress.
Sooner or later, you're going to be faced with a stressful situation. Instead of turning to food for comfort, be prepared with some non-food tactics that work for you. Sass suggests reading a few chapters in a novel, listening to music, writing in a journal, practicing meditative deep breathing, or looking at a photo album of loved ones.
15: Be physically active.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, don't use exercise either to punish yourself for eating or to "earn" the right to eat more. "When you do, it sets up a negative thought pattern, which is why so many people say they hate to exercise," says May.
Instead, focus on how great you feel, how much better you sleep and how much more energy you have when you exercise. Physical activity is good for you whether you are trying to lose weight or not, so keep it positive and build a lifelong habit.

"Do You...?"

These are some things we must remember during our movement toward healthier living... these are some of the things we have done- that we should avoid in the future:

Do you "hide" when eating?( i.e.- park on the far end of a parking lot while eating delicious fried foods we know we shouldn't be eating, or hide the bags/containers from fast-food restaurants so no one will know we cheated on our "diets".)

Do you turn to food as a comfort when you have a bad day?

Do you ask yourself "why am I eating" when you're really NOT hungry?... you just don't have anything else you would rather do

Do you open the fridge looking for "something" out of HABIT?

Do you find that you are often not satisfied, even after eating what you THOUGHT you were craving?

Do you eat(unhealthy food), eat again within a couple of hours, then eat AGAIN- then when you realize you have "over-eaten" the "bad stuff" you continue to eat weird combinations of food in order to PURGE yourself of all the bad stuff you've already eaten? Example: you eat chocolate cheesecake for breakfast with Pepsi, then you eat the leftover fried chicken and 3 spoonfuls of beans and rice with another slice of cheesecake (desert!), then you feel bad for overeating the bad stuff and then you eat 2 bananas, corn and 6 glasses of water to "move" everything through your system. ***Don't feel bad admitting this, I have done this MORE times than I could EVER COUNT!

All these things signal a need for us to pay attention to ourselves because we are missing something. We may be depressed, lonely, anxious or just bored- we must focus on finding new ways of using our time wisely. Keep a food journal that rates your mood when you're eating and that will help you see a pattern develop. Keep me posted on how you're doing and I'll do the same!