Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Progress Report!

My camera is back, and working! This is the second time they've had to replace the lens, and both times have been over Christmas!
Well, I took my progress pictures and someone please tell me that I'll be glad I did them later on, because I'm just not seeing ANYTHING!
I've lost 20 lbs and quite a few inches and I can't see it at all.
Noone can. My mom says she can, because I show her how baggy my pants are getting.

I heard soomeone say that  50lbs lost is when people started noticing the loss on her, and she was about my weight when she started her weight loss journey.

I know I shouldn't be so concerned about the fact that noone notices my efforts.

And the benifits I've been rewarded with for my hard work have been well worth the effort.

- No more heartburn! I had daily heartburn and was always popping an antacid into my mouth. No more!
- Bending over is not as difficult anymore. Still not easy, but not as bad.
- I feel so much better, physically. There are still quite a few things I can't do with ease, but they don't seem so impossible anymore.
- I actually enjoy doing the C25K program. I never thought I could jog/run. But I can, and I do! Week 4 is well under way!
- My size 22 pants are being worn regularly now and some of my larger pants have been put to rest. I will be donating a box to Goodwill soon!

Ok, and now to my progress report. First the measurements:


                        10/25/10          11/24/10          12/28/10
Height             5’7”
Weight            279 lbs             266 lbs             258 lbs
BMI                43.7                 41.8                 40.4

Waist               49”                  48”                  46”
Bust                 52”                  49.75”             49.5”
Hips                 57”                  55.5”               54.5”
Arms               18”                  15”                  15”
Thighs             29.5”               28.5”               28”
Neck                                       16”                  16”     
Calves                                     18”                  17”

I am quite content with these numbers and I will be working hard to reduce them some more!

And now for the pictures:

 

And that's all for now!

Casey

Monday, December 27, 2010

After Christmas Weigh In

How many of you have taken down your Christmas Trees? Am I the only one???
Since my cleaning lady came today, I decided to go ahead and take down the Christmas tree and all the decorations. If she had come another day, it probably still would have got taken down today. :)
I enjoy Christmas, but by the time Boxing Day is over, I'm just ready to be done.
On another note:
I haven't taken my picture update yet (which was due on the 25th, for all you people keeping track), because my camara was in the shop - over Christmas, of all times! Well, I got a call this morning that my camera is fixed and I can pick it up whenever. So once I get myself into town, I'll do that and my pictures will be soon to follow.
Well, I wasn't expecting to lose any weight this week, and was kinda expecting a slight gain.
But in the spirit of giving good cheer at Christmastime my scale showed me this
259.4 lbs
That is a slight lossfrom last weeks weigh-in. 0.4 lbs to be exact. And that's ok! For one, because it's my TOM and becauses I weighed in daily, just to be keeping myself on my toes, and I had already been down to 256 lbs before two Christmas dinners.
I am planning on leaving morbid obesity at my second weigh-in of the new year. (255lbs)
Getting my list of Goals for 2011 ready. What are yours??
Casey

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Decisions about Christmas

The past few weeks (almost 2 months actually) have gone by pretty fast.

If I hadn't started my weight loss journey 2 months ago, I would probably still weigh 279 lbs (or more). Looking back, I wish I had started sooner, because I'd weigh less, but I am SO glad I started when I did and no later.

The decision to lose weight has been made, and it stands! Regardless!

I have been making wise food choices the last 9 weeks, I have been been tracking my food intake regularly (I have missed some days, but not even enough to call it semi-regularly). I've been faithful to exercise 30 minutes or more at least 3 times and up to 6 times a week.

My decision stands. Period.

I will not let Christmas be an excuse to eat poorly or neglect my body. I know that I can find the time to exercise. I know it will be hard, I know there will be temptations at every Family Gathering we attend. I even know that I may "screw up" a time or two. But Christmas will not be my excuse to overeat. If I do overeat or go off track, it will be because I made that decision.
And I will not blame Christmas.
And I will get back on track.

If anything, my love for Christ and my desire to honor Him with my body should keep me from going for seconds or being too lazy to go for a walk.

Ok, my decision has been made.
I am ready to enjoy Christmas.
What about you?

Casey


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The forgotten weigh in!

I can't believe I forgot to post my weigh-in!
259.8 lbs is what the scale showed me yesterday morning.
That's not a big downward movement, but it is not an upward one. :)

Last night was a Christmas Dinner with my husbands employees. I knew what was coming, but for some reason did not calculate for it. So there were some not so good choices eaten there, but not overeaten.
Today, I'm going to be remembering that we have another dinner to go to tonight. I pretty much know what will be served, so I'll be prepared.
Have a great day
Casey

Saturday, December 18, 2010

The good and the bad!

I’ve sat at the computer every day for the last few months. And these past few weeks I’ve been trying to think of something funny, witty, spectacular, deep, entertaining or even just slightly interesting to say, and I haven’t found it.
I think that’s why it took me so long to even start blogging. I keep thinking that I need to write something great for my readers and if I don’t, why should I even write.
Now I’ve noticed something about myself recently, I don’t know if it’s just me. I don't know why I do this. But it’s bothering me.
Any time I start to do something – right now, it’s the weight loss thing – I imagine myself telling people about how I did it. Oh no, not a one-on-one kind of thing. As a speaker. Now, I have done a little bit of public speaking at a few ladies meetings, so I’m not really afraid of it anymore. What bugs me is that whenever I think of my future success at anything, I’m always thinking of publicly speaking about it. I know, weird!
Most people are terrified of public speaking and I’m going around thinking about how to say something that will resonate with my audience.
Which brings me back to my first point – I don’t know what to blog about because I think it all has to be about success and “doing good”.
One of the things I’ve learnt about reading other weight loss blogs is that most of you write about “the good, the bad and the ugly”. You people are honest. I like that. I appreciate that. I’d like to be that.
So, here’s a few honest ups and downs.
This week has for the most part been pretty good. Monday was a weigh in and I was happy that the numbers on the scale went down.
Wednesday we had a cookie baking day at my mom’s house.Mom, my younger sister and I each had prepared 4 different cookie doughs to be rolled, baked and (some) frosted that day. It was a lot of fun and I sampled 3 cookies (usually just a bite and not a whole cookie). 
Our kids sure had a great time. After baking and divvying up the cookies we went swimming at my brother-in-law’s place. Since we’ve had a “cold spell”, the water was quite cold, but the kids and mom got in anyway – I couldn’t find my bathing suit!
Today it’s back to the 100ºF’s.
Yesterday morning I did Day 1 of the C25K week 3. I did it! The first few weeks of doing this were so hard. I think I was jogging faster though. I jog really slowly now. But I feel the burn! And I look forward to the challenge. I think I may even get to week 4 in a week (I’ve usually been doing each week for 2 weeks).
Last night my husband and I had our old disagreement about wants and needs. I was so upset, not at him, but at the circumstances. I want  kitchen cupboards and he wants to stay out of debt. Yeah, his way is better, and my arguments are really convincing, but… we really do want to live debt free, and we do have car payments to make (which are actually our only payments).  All this to say, I was upset and decided I was going to fulfill a want, right now. And that want was pizza and chocolate.
Yes, it was still way to many calories, but I put pizza sauce, low fat cheese and thin salami slices between two soft tacos and baked it for a few minutes (hope no one just started a craving just now). Then I sliced up a banana and drizzled some melted chocolate and sprinkled some slivered almonds over it. Yum!
So, while it was not the best choice, it was also not the worst it could have been. And no it didn’t make me feel better, but that’s what happened.  That was the bad!
Now a good!
I had been thinking about blogging a "pants progress" post like Ann does, I even had my size 22 pants out and did try them on twice but never did post about it – way to sad! Today, as I was looking for my sweet size 24W jeans, I saw the 22’s sitting there looking at me, challenging me. So I took them out, shook them out and decided again, I am not going to get these babies on. While they were towards the hip area, I thought, I’d better stop, but no, last time I could pull them all the way up, so I pulled them all the way up, then I lay down on my bed to zip them up. Since they’re strechy, it wasn’t hard to get off the bed. But you know what the fun part is? That was three hours ago, and I’m still wearing them. I don’t think I’ll ever take them off. They are snug, but not uncomfortably so. I even went out in public! Just put the long shirt over!
Gotta go find my size 20’s  now!

A cicada my son found outside, taking off her old clothes. Isn't she a beautiful green!

Next post and weigh-in is Monday. Tonight we’re having a Christmas dinner at my parents ranch with his employee’s and some neighboring ranch friends, Sunday night – a Christmas program at our home church. Monday and Tuesday are business dinners. Four busy nights!
I’ll be sure to post weigh in on Monday, but it may not be much more until maybe Wednesday or later.
Have a great weekend!
Casey

Monday, December 13, 2010

Weigh In

Just a quick post with my weigh in for the week!
260 lbs!
Happy that the scale is going in the right direction!
Tracking has become a little tedious...
Couldn't get out for exercise today, I think I might have a bladder infection or something - my lower abdomen is really tender. And I feel really bloated.
I'll be drinking more water before bed yet!
Today the weather was really nice! 21ºC (71ºF) After temperatures in the 40ºC's (100ºF's) it's been a nice change, drastic, but real nice.
Hope you all have a great week!
Casey

Friday, December 10, 2010

Off track and on again!

I'm having a hard time coming up with anything to say, so my post will probably be total randomness!

Yesterday, I did not track my food, I did not track my exercise, I did not wear my new pedometer, I did not post anything on my blog. I did not overeat, I did not exercise. I noticed how easy it would have been to go overboard, just by ignoring the things I have faithfully been doing the last few weeks. So, today I'm back to tracking what I eat and I went for a C25K (week 3) this morning. (5:50 to be exact, because it's getting so stinking hot down here!!!)

And here I am, blogging!

Ann asked if I had a rhyme or reason for my weight loss goals, and I do!

262 - was my highest pregnant weight. Totally embarrassed that I got so much heavier than that!
255 - out of the morbidly obese category! Can't wait!
242 - is 110 kg on my kilogramm scale. I'd like to see that number
231 - is 105 on my scale!
220 - is 100 on my scale. Can't wait to be in the double digits on my scale.
210 - no reason, just 10 lbs less than the last goal.
200 - actually, I think I'd rather have that say 199!
191 - no longer obese, just overweight!
187 - another one of my kg goals - 85 to be exact.
179 - down 100 lbs!

The last goal I have seems very far away and alot of the time I just don't think I'll ever make it.
I feel like "This is me, I'm fat and I have no idea how to be a thin person, Cute goal, but be real - I'll never make it."

Yup, I'm not my own best cheerleader.

On another note - I got a haircut today! I like it and would show you a picture, but my camera will be in the shop for a few weeks.

And this afternoon, my niece and I will go for pedicures! Fun!

Hoping for some cooler weather here! Praying for Rain!

Casey

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Pedometer Test #1

Well, today I tested my pretty blue pedometer. I still don't know how that thingy works. Does it have a motion detector??? Because if it does then the road trip we took down some really bumpy dirt roads must have logged at least a few steps too many.
So, today I logged in at 8192 steps. Pretty cool, eh?  At noon I didn't think I'd get that far.
Here's to more steps tomorrow!
Thanks again, D!
Casey

Monday, December 6, 2010

Weekly Weigh In

Guess who's getting a pedicure?!?!?!
Yeah! My Weigh in today was 261.8!
My first mini-goal accomplished and I'm going to call for a pedicure appointment tomorrow. I'm going to take my niece with me, while my sister takes all my kiddos swimming.

Another wild and wonderful thing happened. My beautiful sister in Canada sent me a pedometer! Wow! How did she know??? Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm sure I could probably find them in the Big City (5 hours away), but I wouldn't know where to look, as the only thing I was ever interested in when we went to the City was the food court at the mall! How things change!

On the not so good side... My three year old dropped my camera. I was just getting into the picture taking groove. I know the repairs will be costly, but hopefully they'll be able to fix it.

On to my next mini-goal: 255 lbs and out of the morbidly obese zone!

Thanks for all your blogs, I read faithfully, but don't comment as often as I'd like to. And thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments. You keep me accountable, people!

I made this for my sister, for her birthday. We were in a Bible Study together this year and we studied Phillipians.
Hugs to all,
Casey

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Saturday, what a day!

I got up at 5:10 this morning and put my walking shoes on!

I took a different route today, because I knew the roads would be deserted. I actually had a paved sidewalk for about half of my walk. Nice. Don't have to worry about potholes and sandy patches.

And I did the C25K Week 2 Day 3!

Since I decided to "run" at my own pace, I can do the whole thing. I've got this little OCD thing I do when I run. I count to 20 four times. Then I count down from twenty. And I'm usually done before I hit "Blast off!" (I run for 90 seconds in the second week) Fun!

Felt really good, and I beat the heat! It was 30º C (86ºF) this morning when I got up. And it's about 39ºC (102ºF) now. So it's a little cooler than it was yesterday. I think it must have gone up to 42ºC (107ºF) yesterday. And I know some days we will probably get up to 44ºC (112ºF) this summer. By the way, these temperatures are measured in the shade, not out in the sunshine. And yes, you can actually fry an egg on the sidewalk. My SIL tried it once, but didn't eat it.

I finally made Roasted Vegetables today. YUM! I added potatoes because the kids said they wouldn't eat it otherwise. Since my meal was meatless (the others got some, but I chose not to), I put some light cheese over my serving. It was good!


before

after


Dessert was watermelon. One of the best things about summer!

I probably won't write again until Monday. I'm tracking my food and exercise and will post my weigh in then!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Casey

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Thursday's thoughts

Lot's happening in my little corner of the world, and no time to write about it!
I thought I'd share a few pictures of what I´ve been seeing here in the last few weeks.
This beautiful flower is called the "Queen of the Night" because she blooms at night and you can only see her in the early morning. She also announces rain, which is another reason we love this flower.

This little beauty was born on our "farmette" last month. Isn't he a charmer?
In other news:
I organized an English Christmas Program that ran without a hitch (well, the hitch was that my co-organizer got sick and couldn't help with the last day things-to-do).
I may need to explain why I say English program.
I live in a German-speaking Community, in a Spanish-speaking country.
The Germans also speak a dialect called Plautdietsch or low-German.
The Spanish also speak in a native language called Guaraní.
Since my family spent many years in Canada - we speak English.
And since there are quite a few people here that are from either the States or Canada or speak English as a second language (or fourth), we decided to do a Christmas Program.
All that to say...it was worth it. Fun. Food. Fellowship. And I only indulged in the fun and fellowship part! And clean-up!

And today - Still eating right, still walking!
                 - C25K week 2 day 2

Oh, and I think I may need to make an appointment for my pedicure!

Casey

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday Weigh-In!

We had a good weekend! Hope you all did, too!
Saturday I did not go over my daily calories according to myfitnesspal, but I was close. Too close! Since I didn't take the time to even go for a walk, I just barely stayed under. But then yesterday was good, we were even invited to a birthday party!
Yesterday morning I went for my walk, and decided to see if I could do the C25K week 2. YES!!! I did it! Yup, my calves were burning and I think my "run" was barely faster than a walk, but I did it! The roads close to my house are dirt roads, and the one I had been taking so far has less traffic, but more uneven and sandy streches. The road I took yesterday is alot more even and has no sandy patches. And Bonus! No traffic yesterday! I could hardly believe it. Well, yes I could. Everyone was sleeping in on a beautiful Sunday morning!
I told my husband yesterday that my next Egg Money (yes, I do actually sell eggs!) goes to a new pair of running shoes. The ones I use now have been hurting my feet during exercise for a long time. I'll just have to admit that I probably bought them to big. (I have a fear of too small shoes)

Ok now for my weigh in results! I was happy!

264.2 lbs

Yeah!

Casey

Friday, November 26, 2010

Going Bananas!!

Did YOU know that a banana has like around 100 calories? I thought I was making a wise food choice, because I chose fruit. I never knew it had that many calories!
Ok, a nutritionist once told me... "a calorie is a calorie is a calorie." I protested! I said that 100 calories of apple is better than 100 calories of chocolate cake. And she said it's the same. No way! Cannot be! Maybe she didn't understand what I was trying to say, and she was trying to prove her calorie theory. But this is what I meant and see if you agree.
  • First of all, who can eat only 100 calories of chocolate cake?  That's be like a 16th of an inch slice. Or less.
  • That is not satisfying.
  • Now 100 calories of apple, fills you right up. You probably would't binge on apples, would you?
  • 100 calories of cake multiplies right around the hips.
  • 100 calories of apple goes right through you, all that fibre.
So tell me, please, 100 caloriesIS the same no matter where you get it from, but... the results are different, am I right.

And I have another question.
myfitnesspal(dot)com tells me that acording to my personal data, I can eat 2080 caolories in a day, burn 1170 calories a week and lose 1 lbs/week. Does this really mean regardless of where my calories are coming from? And what do they mean when they tell me I've earned an amount of calories because I exercised. Does this mean I'm going to lose more because I haven't gone over 1720 calories per day? And because I exercised?
Yup, I'll have to see it to believe it
And, I know that not everyone uses this tool, so maybe noone knows what I'm talking about! :) Just a little ramble.

I've been doing the C25K week one for 2 weeks now. I did it yesterday morning and was going to do it again tonight. (I heard you were only supposed to do it every second day:) I couldn't do it! The first running minute was ok. The second I got half way through, and the third I barely started. My calves and shins were burning! They hurt so bad, I just couldn't run anymore. Maybe that's why they tell you three times a week. So, I'm gonna rest my calves and try again on Sunday. Maybe, after 2 weeks of week one I will get to week two!

On another note...

I love what Nancy Leigh DeMoss said on her facebook page today.

‎"No matter what I have done, no matter how I have failed, no matter how weak I have been, no matter how inadequate I am, God has not changed. He has not failed." - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

And with that ... Good night!

Casey

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Monthly Progress Report

I'm doing a monthly progress report today instead of tomorrow, it's just easier when not everyone is home to get the pictures taken, measurements taken and finally uploaded to blogger. My computer is SO SLOW! I'm going to look into picnik to see how I can do a photo collage so eventually I can put all my side views side by side.
I've started using myfoodtracker(dot)com. Thanks, Julie for recommending that site. If I find that I'm not being "good", I'll go back to tracking my food here. I like just typing in what I ate and having the site calculate for me.

OK here is my measurements update:

                        10/25/10          11/24/10
Height             5’7”
Weight            279 lbs             266 lbs (weight on the 11/22/10)
BMI                43.7                 41.8

Waist               49”                  48”
Bust                 52”                  49.75”
Hips                 57”                  55.5”
Arms               18”                  15”
Thighs             29.5”               28.5”  
Neck                                      16”
Calves                                     18”

I was actually surprised to see these results! I also see people measuring neck and calves. I didn't in the beginning, but decided to now.
Personally I don't see any change. My one pair of pants feels looser. And one shirt I wasn't wearing anymore because it felt snug around the hips is fitting better, too. Nice!

A Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends out there!
Casey



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

No Chocolate Cake

I have been really grumpy today - like decadent chocolate layer cake with silky chocolate frosting - and lots of it - kind of grumpy.
Thankfully I didn't have any around.
This morning was fine, though with 2 more people in the house while painting one of the bedrooms, yeah, probably not the greatest idea!
Well, the company is gone and I've decided not to go to our Bible Study tomorrow morning. I just need to be with my kids, not always running around, chaufering to and fro, not always having someplace to be. I just need to be home, alone!
Our kids have kind of gotten out of doing chores during the school year (our summer break goes from end of November til mid February) and I really need them to get some jobs done. Feeding animals, sweeping the porch, dish duty and laundry duty. Plus each of the girls is responsible  for a room, and each of the girls has a little boy for a helper.
We had our last couples Bible Study for the year tonight, and since I didn't have any cake around... I had a bowl of ice cream. I could have, should have gone without. But I was tired of feeling deprived and thought it would make me feel better. And of course it didn't. It almost made me feel physically yucky. Just not used to so much sugar anymore.
I put on my walking shoes after that and asked my husband to drop me off about a 30 minute walk from home.
And you know what... THAT'S what made me feel better!

Casey

Food and Beverages
3 Coffee with creamer (throughout the day)
1 serving Oatmeal with 1 apple, 1 tsp brown sugar ½ tsp cinnamon, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds
1 slice whole wheat bread with mayo, 1/3 slice of each ham and cheese, lettuce and tomato
1 slice Lemon Supreme pie
½ slice Napoleon cake
4 carrot sticks
5 cucumber sticks with 2 tsp dip
1 piece chicken breast (no skin)
2 cups tossed salad with 2 tbsp light ranch dressing
1 soft tortilla wrap ¼ cup chicken, 1 tbsp light ranch dressing, ½ cup tossed salad
4 chipa
¾ cup of ice cream

Water
8 glasses

Exercises
30 minute fast walk

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday, Monday


Just another normal Monday!
Actually alot of little things made it a not so normal Monday.
Since it's our Summer break, no more music lessons on Mondays!
We have 2 of our girls friends here for 2 days.
The boys still aren't back in their own room, because "you're not finished yet!" Actually, I know I'm not, but I can do the finishing touches with the furniture in the room. But, we're too tired to do it now. Tomorrow...
Our oldest, Nicole, is at her cousins for a sleep-over birthday party, even though her friend is here for the night. But since Raquel, our second, is such a great entertainer, no one minded!
Tomorrow, I'm going to my sister's for her Birthday "party". She knows me! And will have a veggie tray out, she said! I'll post what I gave her tomorrow, just in case she reads my blog before I get there! Happy Birthday, B!!

Casey
Food and Beverages
2 Coffee with creamer (throughout the day)
1 serving Oatmeal with 1 banana and sweetener, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds, ½ cup skim milk
1 banana
1 orange
1 soft tortilla wrap 1 slice ham 2 slices low fat cheese
3 slices watermelon
½ large cucumber with 2 tbsp light ranch
2 slices whole wheat bread with 1 tsp margarine, 3 slices ham, 1 slice cheese  2 slices tomato
½  rice cake
8 pretzels sticks


Water
10 glasses

Exercises
40 minute fast walk

Weigh In!

So today's weigh in puts me at 266.8 lbs for a total loss of 12.2 lbs!
The 25th is picture progress day!
Last night I wore pants I often wear and at times I felt they were almost slipping off.
This is good!
I really like these pants, but since I have alot of pants that are too small on me, I am looking forward to fitting into others.
I like what Ann does... She has a certain day where she tries on a certain pair of pants and updates how they fit. I'm going to look into my drawers to see if I have a magical pair that are a size or two smaller than what I wear now. And I will try to fit them! As soon as possible!
Have a great week!
Casey

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Family reunion

Weekend is almost over!
We had a family reunion this afternoon. Fun! And homemade hamburgers. A bunch of us spent most of the time playing Phase 10. I love playing cards and most board games (except Monopoly and Risk), some may say I'm competitive!

I'm wondering...
I make practically everything from scratch and I want to know if there's a website where I can type in the ingredients and servings and get calories per serving. And I'm looking for something free! I know there must be something out there!
Hope everyone has a great week. I think I'm looking forward to weigh in tomorrow!
Stay tuned!
Casey

Just realized I've done no exercises this weekend... Off to do my 30 challange and then bed!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Food and Beverages
2 Coffee with creamer (throughout the day)
1 serving Oatmeal with 1 banana and sweetener, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds, ½ cup skim milk
15 almonds
30 raisins
1 banana
1 orange
 1½ cup Rattatouille (for approx 400 cal.)
1 slice whole wheat bread
20 baked plain nacho chips
1 granola bar (87 cal.)
1 rice cake
8 pretzels sticks
1 slice roast beef
2 Tbsp gravy
½ cup mashed potatoes
2 pieces of steamed cauliflower
1 cup tossed salad
1 tbsp ranch


Water
8 glasses

Exercises

Sunday, 21. of November 2010

Food and Beverages
2 cups coffee with creamer
1 serving oatmeal, 1 banana, cinnamon, sweetener, 1 tbsp almond slices
10 almonds
30 raisins
1 small slice of baked fish (tilapia)
1 ½ cups of tossed salad
2 tbsp light ranch dressing
2 bananas
1 chipa
1 hamburger (whole wheat bun, 1 beef patty, tomato, lettuce, 1 tbsp each ketchup and mayo)
10 slices of dill pickle
1 piece of  low fat chocolate cake with low-fat frosting
1 coffee with milk

Water
9

Exercise
30 Crunches (or sit ups)
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 Abdominal Twists
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 more curls

Friday, November 19, 2010

Painting workout!

Today I painted the boys room! I did have help, but it was still a big job. And it would be done if I weren't going to paint a border around it... That will have to wait a few days though. I'm getting some stencils ready for the project! Pictures will be posted, because I don't know how long it will last. Last time I did their room was 2 years ago, and it really needed a change.
So that was a little workout!
Was really hungry for pizza today! So I made some "pizza quesadillas" with soft tacos. Yum!
The C25K  for week one still keeps me panting and out of breath so I'm just going to keep doing it (week 1) until I can run during all the running parts. How long will this take???
I find that I'm often wanting to munch on something and it's becoming frustrating. Oranges and bananas got me through the cookie-less day.

Quote of the day:
"If I always do what I've always done,
I'll always get what I've always got!"

Casey

Food and Beverages
1 coffee with creamer
Oatmeal with 1 tbsp almonds and about 15 raisins, sweetener
2 bananas
1 oranges
2 chipa
3 soft tortillas, 4 1/2 Tbsp pizza sauce, 6 slices of salami, approx. 1/2 cup low fat cheese, tomato and green pepper slices
10 baked nacho chips
1 granola bar (87 cal)
10 almonds

Just want to note that I had some of that pizza for lunch and the rest for supper - did not, could not eat it all at one sitting!

Water
8 glasses

Exercise
30 minutes c25k - week one

30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 pelvic lifts 
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 more hammer curls

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Learning from others!

I've decided that one of the things I'm going to do, this time around, is read about other people's  weight loss journey's (and their success!) And I want to LEARN from them. I do that while reading blogs and books
I had heard about Chantel Hobbs on Focus on the Family about a year and a half ago. Though it's pretty difficult to get English books here, I was able to order her book "Never say Diet". One thing that popped out at me today was this:
     "Don't depend on a diet program to change you. You are the only one who can make the necessary decisions and then follow through to change your life."

So:
1. Make decision --check
2. Follow through -- in the process
3 Change life -- in the process

I've been weighing myself every second day or so, and I've been  not so happy with the results this past week and a half! BUT... I know I am eating healthier, I'm not snacking between meals, I've pretty much cut out the unhealthy junk food, and I am exercising.
I can't not be losing!
I'm not checking the scale til weigh in day!
I promise!

Casey

Food and Beverages
2 Coffee with creamer (throughout the day)
1 serving Oatmeal with bran and sweetener, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds
1 orange
1 ½  cup natural popcorn
2 cups cucumber and tomato salad with 2 Tbsp (light) oil-vinegar dressing
1 slice roast beef
12 whole almonds
25 raisins
½ cucumber
½ tomato
1 Tbsp light ranch
1 Whole wheat roll with ½ Tbsp mayo, 1 slice of Ham, 1 slice cheese


Water
9 glasses

Exercises
30 minute  C25K Week 1 Day 3

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Another Busy Day!

My brain is blog-dead! I feel I have nothing to say!
I will start charting my food here on the blog again. Much more accountability! And my exercise, too.
I’ve been so busy these last few days… my house is a mess and I have taken no time to plan my food!
The only thing I plan for is breakfast and to have fruit and vegetables in the house.
Our kids have summer break right now and our schedule is winding down. We’ve had 2 music recitals today and tomorrow is going to be a stay-at-home day. I hope! I know we have a short rehersal with our kids tomorrow (for a Christmas program), and a friend will be picking up her kitten in the morning.
AND I hope my parents get back from their ranch tomorrow. They will hopefully be missing my kids like crazy and will want them over! And really, who could resist?
This is actually a few years old, but one of my favorite pictures!

Food and Beverages
2 Coffee with creamer (throughout the day)
1 serving Oatmeal with bran and sweetener, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds
1 baked potato with
2 Tbsp light gravy with chunks of baked chicken breast
¾ cup of chocolate ice cream
1 orange
1 bite white cake
1 soft tortilla wrap with 1 slice ham 1 slice low-fat cheese


Water
9 glasses

Exercises
30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 pelvic lifts 
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 more hammer curls
* can't do the half push-ups, I hurt my wrist and can't put my weight on it!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Busy Tuesday!

I had a really busy day!
This morning, I had to get some things organized for a Christmas Program that we're having in the beginning of December.
This afternoon, Ladies Meeting at church.
This evening a bridal shower!
I did pretty well with the choices offered at the afternoon meeting - which means I slipped out after the meeting and before the food came!
And since I brought a veggie tray to the shower, that's what I had, along with a small piece of pizza, (about 1/2 the size of an english muffin).
But now that I'm home I had a piece of whole wheat bread with a herbed yougurt-based spread my friend makes. She uses skim milk, and fresh herbs - yummy!
I didn't get any walking in today, but I will be doing my 30 challenge after I log out here.
Tomorrow I want to do an exercise video first thing in the morning, I was going to today, but got distracted, feeding chickens and puttering around in the yard. (We just got a beautiful, much-needed rain here!) And then it was time to go...
As it is now...
Good night...
Casey

Monday, November 15, 2010

Weigh in!

Not much time to post today.
Weigh in was a little dissappointing. 270.3 lbs. Slight gain!
I've been reading alot of the blogs I follow and am convinced that I need to make a real plan, food wise.
Instead of quitting and making a plan, I'm going to go trial and error until I find a plan that I can follow long-term.
Any suggestions are welcome. I have a few Weight Watchers Recipe books I'm looking into and some of the food looks to good to be healthy! :)
We don't have any WW meetings here, or I'd probly be there...
I'm not going to post my food here today, though I do have it written in a notebook.
Not enough Water today, that's for sure!!!
Exercise on Sunday: c25k W1D2
Exercise on Monday: 35 minute walk and 30 day challenge
Will try to post more tomorrow!
Casey

Friday, November 12, 2010

Being a Postage Stamp!

"BE LIKE A POSTAGE STAMP - STICK TO ONE THING TIL YOU GET THERE!"

I read this on Kim Benson's Website today. Perseverance!

Thanks for your comments on yesterday's post, ladies! It's good to know that I am not alone in my struggles, and I've dusted myself off and am ready to go again.

This morning my boys, ages 3 and 5, cleaned my 2 fridges. I found I did still have a few edible vegetables in there and not too much to throw out. I hated throwing out the broccoli, because it's SO expensive here and we can't get it very often, but I just didn't use it on time and it looked quite sad. My chickens thank me, though!

I finally made it to the grocery store this afternoon and stocked up on fruit and vegetables. I can't let them run out again! Got some melons and I'll be making a huge fruit salad tomorrow. Yum!

I've been looking into the "Couch to 5 km" programm, and found I could download an Mp3 to listen to while I walk/run. Ann asked if I listened to anything while I walked, and I usually do, but this actually tells me when to start walking or running. The website has a few options to download, and I did the Christian Indie one. I will be trying some others I think. See what music makes me forget that I'm actually running.

Yeah, about that! I did it!!!!! Today I did my first session of the c25k programm. I couldn't quite make all the running parts. But I made sure to do the last 60 second session. My husband couldn't believe it when he saw me return all sweaty. I usually walk and don't get as sweaty as that. He was quite impressed! (And so was I!!!) And he actually wished he could have joined me.

The weekend  is here and we'll be having friends over on Saturday night for a barbeque (probably lamb and/or chicken) and I'll make a potato salad without the mayonaisse. And lots of veggies. Fruit salad and probably an Angel Food Cake for dessert. And Sunday we're invited to a Birthday Party so I hope she has some healthy choice there!

Have a great weekend, Casey

Food and Beverages
Coffee with Creamer
oatmeal with 1 banana, cinnamon, sweetner, bran and almonds
1 banana
3 whole wheat cracker
1 soft tortilla wrap with 1 tsp Thousand Island dressing 1/4 cup of shredded chicken (boiled, white, no skin) and 3/4 cups of tossed salad
2 chipa
1 soft tortilla wrap with 2 slices of ham and 1/2 cup of tossed salad
1 orange
1 mandarine

Water
9 glasses

Exercise
30 minute C25K (Week 1)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Tomorrow will be day 19!

This is day 18.
Something I noticed when I sat down to track my food for the day.
š    No vegetables and only 2 bananas as my fruit. My excuse is that I need to go shopping, and they will have fresh fruit and vegetables tomorrow morning. We only get fresh fruit and vegetables on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and I try to shop only once a week. So tomorrow is shopping day and I will stock up. I probably need to shop for produce twice a week though,  At least if I want to continue to eat the fresh stuff! My Husband LOVES fresh vegetables. If I don’t make a salad,  I often have some homemade pickled cucumbers or cabbage instead. He’ll usually go and see if there is something “raw” in the fridge. Sometimes he’ll even just munch on a quarter of a cabbage head. Very thankful that most of our kids love fresh veggies, too. Because it looks like I’d forget them otherwise! L
š    Today, as I was on my walk, I just felt like quitting. I was discouraged about other things, and I got to thinking how long this was going to take and I just felt like it isn’t worth it. This kind of thinking has got to stop! And I will tell myself this daily if I need to!
š    I’ve been going back on Christine’s blog from the beginning and just started crying when I realized that she had some of the same struggles I do. Thanks Christine, for persevering! You’ve been such an encouragement!
š    Tomorrow is day 19. It is not day 1. I am not starting over, I am continuing. I may make bad choices along the way, but I am on the way – to a fit and healthy lifestyle.



Food and Beverages
3 Coffee with creamer (throughout the day)
1 serving Oatmeal with bran and sweetener
2 bananas
1/2 piece of light chocolate
4 chipa
1 glass of coke zero
½ a chicken breast (boiled)
3 small bowls of chicken noodle soup (1 for lunch, 2 for supper)

Water
9 glasses

Exercises
50 minute walk

30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 pelvic lifts 
30  Half-Push ups
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 more hammer curls

Casey

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Food tracker

I didn't eat very well these last two days. Headaches and husband not home for a few meals, that's when I get out the sandwich fixings.
So yes, this is all I ate but spread out over the whole day.

1 serving oatmeal with 1 banana, 1 Tbsp slivered almonds and sweetener
6 small chipa (about 40 cal each)
2 small pieces of light chocolate (for 64 cal)
1 slice whole wheat bread with 1/2 tsp margarine 2 slices of ham and 1 slice of cheese
1 slice whole wheat bread with 1/2 tsp margarine 1 tsp light peach jam
1 banana
1 slice whole wheat bread with 1/2 tsp margarine 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of cheese
1/2 slice whole wheat bread with  a bit of margarine and 1 tsp light peach jam

14 glasses of water

30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 pelvic lifts  
30 half Push ups
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 more hammer curls

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Some weight loss goals I’d like to accomplish

279 This is my highest weight to date! Not something I'd like to accomplish, But rather something I wish I hadn't!   Date: 25. October 2010
262  This was my highest weight pregnant with our fourth child. 2007
251 This was my highest weight pregnant with third child. 2005
242
231
220
211 This is what I weighed between my first and second pregnancies
200
196 I remember this being a goal after second. 2002
187
179 - 100 lbs down. Will I get there? And will I stop there? 

Food and Beverages
 3 cups total Coffee with creamer
1 serving Oatmeal with bran and sweetener
1 light cereal bar
1 dill pickles
¾ cups chicken, tomato salad (no mayo) on 2 slices of toast
6 whole wheat crackers with
3 slices of ham
1 orange

Water
11 glasses

Exercises
40 minute walk

30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 Pelvic lifts
30 half Push ups
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 Variation of hammer curls

Casey

Monday, November 8, 2010

Weigh in!

268.4! That's what the scale said this morning!
That means I lost 10.6 lbs in 2 weeks. I'm ok with that.
So often I look too much at the big pictures and forget to take in the details. The little victories, the small losses that amount to alot over time.
That's not to say I shouldn't look at what can be if I keep going, but rather to keep me from getting frustrated  because I'm not there yet.  - Well, I would be if I had started a year ago!

Food and Beverages
Coffee with creamer
1 serving Oatmeal with bran and sweetener
1 bananas
1 light cereal bar
¾ cup lagagna 1 cup tossed salad
1 cup popcorn
1 serving light jello
4 Tbsp light yougurt
4 dill pickles
1 orange

Water
10 glasses

Exercises
50 minute walk

30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 (Abdominal Twists) I'm doing pelvic lifts instead 
30 Push ups
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 (Tricep Dips) more hammer curls

Have a great week!
Casey

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Weekend Update

Well, I've realized that the weekends do carry more temptations!
I have felt full all weekend, but I ate regardless. I guess my stomach has already gotten used to smaller portions. So my brain needs to remember that.
I really like what Ann said on her blog this weekend, about putting my our needs ahead of our wants. Definitly worth remembering.
Tomorrow is weigh in!
Have a great week!
Casey

Saturday, November 6th
Food and Beverages
Coffee with creamer
1 serving Oatmeal with bran and sweetener
2 bananas
1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 slice ham, 1 slice cheese
1 potato
1 cooked carrot
1 slice roast beef
2 cups tossed salad
2 Tbsp light dressing
1 light cereal bar
½ cup roasted peanuts, no salt
½ glass coke zero
1 orange
2 whole wheat crackers with ham and cheese
1 hot dog with mayo, ketchup and mustard
1 slice barbequed lamb

Water
8 glasses

Exercises
30 Crunches
30 Reverse Crunches
30 Bicycle Crunches
30 (Abdominal Twists) I'm doing pelvic lifts instead 
30 Push ups
30 Tricep Kickbacks
30 Hammer Curls
30 (Tricep Dips) more hammer curls


Sunday, November 7th

Food and Beverages
Coffee with creamer
4 pickles
1 olive
Barbequed chicken breast, no skin
Tomato salad, with onion, corn and palm hearts
1 bowl fruit salad, low sugar
2 thin slices of marble cake
2 oranges
1 slice of whole wheat bread cheese, tomato and sliced chicken breast
1 glass skim chocolate milk

Water
8 glasses

Exercises
40 minute walk