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

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

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

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, 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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

Tagged!

My new blogger friend, Margene from Believing it’s possible tagged me with 4 questions. Then I get to tag 4 other bloggers with questions. Here are her questions for me:

 

1. What was a single act of kindness you received that had a big impact on you?

         

When we were living far from home and were struggling to make ends meet, my husband on a meager student loan and I couldn’t get a job, someone anonymously gave us a cheque for twice what hubby was receiving in monthly student loan. We later found out who had done this and shortly afterward she passed away. The thing that was so incredible about this was, that for months I had been complaining about tithing to the small, very poor church we were assisting. But my husband insisted on giving away the first ten percent we received (and not the leftovers, if there were any, which there never were). I had finally confessed my lack of trust. And God convinced me that He would bless me if I trusted Him. So I did, and He did!

2. If you could give someone some wisdom in just 5 words or less, what would it be?

          If you aim at nothing, you won’t miss! (sorry, it's 8!)

3. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

          Oatmeal with bran sprinkled on top, skim milk and sweetener

4. What is the current book you are reading or have read?

I have 3 books next to my bed. My Bible, The House that Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark, and The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make by Bill and Pam Farrel

Now here are 4 people I tag and the questions I have for them to answer. I’ve never done this before so, please don’t feel any pressure. (And, yeah, I’m only tagging three!)

Christine

TaDa

Ann

 And here are my questions:

1. Which season is your favorite and what do you love about it?

2. What is your favorite reading material? Mystery, romance, non-fiction, biographies...

3. How often do you go to the grocery store?

4. What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Looking forward to your answers! :-)

Casey        

Food and beverages

1 bowl oatmeal with milk and sweetener and a bit of bran sprinkled on top

Coffee with creamer

1 slice pork tenderloin

1 cup vegetable medley (potatoes, carrots, onion, green pepper, broccoli)

1 cup sliced cucumbers with 2 Tbsp. fat fee dressing

1 orange

 8 fat-reduced chips (for 70 cal)

1 slice whole wheat bread with 1 slice each of ham and cheese

Water

 8 glasses

Exercise

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

Sick Thursday

Yesterday I was sick! I was feverish and runny nose and headache most of the day. I got in a 20 minute bike ride in the morning with my boys and then... nada! Not that anyone is counting, but I'm sure I didn't get enough calories in yesterday either.
So 30 day challenge... I did 2 hammer curls
And my personal goal to have one serving of oatmeal, an orange and a carrot a day didn't happern either (except the oatmeal) beacause I was to sick to go shopping.

I feel much better this morning and am getting ready for a shopping trip with my boys.

Also, I was tagged! But I will get to that a little later today! I haven't played tag since I was a child!


Food and Beverages:
1 serving oatmeal, with bran and sweetener
1 coffee with creamer
1 slice of whole wheat bread with 1 slice of cheese
2 baked sausages (4 inches long)
1/2 cup coleslaw
1 cereal bar
2 glasses of Coke zero
1 serving light jello
18 prezel sticks (76 cal total)

Water
15 glasses

Exercise
20 minute bike ride

Casey

Yesterdays post that wasn't!

Well, yesterday I did not post my food, beverage and exercises! It was just to late and I didn't want to spend more time away from hubby and kids - even for for my blog! :)

Food and Beverages
1 serving oatmeal with bran and sweetener
1 cereal bar at 94 cal.
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup coleslaw (homemade, easy on the sugar)
1 carrot
1 piece of chicken, white, no skin
2 servings of light jello - about 20 cal.
4 Tbsp light strawberry yougurt
1 lick of ice cream
1 orange
1 soft tortilla wrap with 1 slice of chicken and 2 Tbsp coleslaw
2 swallows of coke zero
2 bananas
1/2 glas of guarana (similar to ginger ale, maybe)

Water:
 13 glasses

Exercise:
20 minute bike ride

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

 

1 hour and 15 minute walk

 

Casey

Day 9

Food for the day!

1 cup of coffee with creamer
1 serving oatmeal, sprinkeled with bran, sweetener
2 bananas
1 slice whole wheat bread w/ cheese
1 glass coke zero
1 piece of chicken breast, no skin
1 small piece of mandioka (starchy, kinda potato-like)
1 carrot
1/2 grapefruit
2 small squares of diet chocolate
2 rice cakes w/ light peach jam, about 2 tsp
1 1/2 breakfast bar (140 cal total)
2 small rolls with pizza fixings (rolled cinnamon roll-like)
1 chipa
1/3 whole wheat sandwich (light mayo, cheese, ham, lettuce and tomato)
2 bites cake (diabetic recipe)

Water:
10 glasses

Exercise:
I'm doing the 30 day challenge, but I could only do 2 of those tricep dips, so instead I do another variation of the hammer curls with my 2.2 lbs weights. Maybe by the end of the month I'll be able to do 30 or 4! :)

30 Crunches

30 Reverse Crunches

30 Bicycle Crunches

30 Abdominal Twists

30 Push ups

30 Tricep Kickbacks

30 Hammer Curls

30 (Tricep Dips) more hammer curls

 

Casey

Planing to win!

As I was deep cleaning my bookshelves recently, I found at least 6 journals that I had started.
One of them was actually  used only  once! Yup, only the first page and it says:

"I want to start journaling again, but I keep thinking about how past journals have started and failed, and so I'm almost afraid to begin!"
Prophetic words, are they not!

Another one actually has 4 written pages (yeah, I'm addicted to buying new notebooks, too!)
First sentence:

"It's Tuesday, the 18th of January 2010. How do I start a journal again? I'm already feeling like a failure because I don't ever keep it up."

Well, that, too, my friends, proved prophetic!
But in that same journal I had also written this:

" ...another thing I'd like to journal about is my weight problem. I've been reading alot about weigh loss, dieting and doing it God's way. I feel like I'm going to suffer if I want to lose weight.
I need to get my focus off myself and do this for God's glory, and for the good it will do me.
He will help me, I know he will.
Plan: Buy a trustworthy scale.
        Get some exercise dvd's.
        Get a check-up."

Well, I did those three things. And I am coming at this weight loss thing 9 months later and from a new angle. I'm not planning on failing!
I'm planning on losing, but not on failing!
I am going to lose weight.
Period.

Will you help me?

Casey

November Challenge

Just found a challenge I'd like to do!

This challenge is from Christine and I'm gonna do it!

I used to go to an exercise class once a week, but it's been cancelled , so here I go! Anyone else care to join me?

 

30 Crunches (or sit ups)

30 Reverse Crunches

30 Bicycle Crunches

30 Abdominal Twists

30 Push ups

30 Tricep Kickbacks

30 Hammer Curls

30 Tricep Dips

Just do it!

Casey

Week 1 Weigh -in

Good morning!

First things first!

Weigh in!

I'm loving it today, it's been totally worth it!

Beginning weight: 279

Today's weight: 271.7

I’ve been into this weight loss blogging thing for a week now. At first it wasn’t so hard to stay motivated, but the weekend wasn’t so easy.

Here’s a few things I’ve questioned or have come to realize:

• I don’t know from one day to the next what we’ll be eating (family meals), I sort of plan but it’s usually planned in the morning. I’m thinking that I would do better (in a lot of ways) to plan the family meals weekly  in order to also be more aware of the food choices I have.
• My oldest and my youngest do not like vegetables. They get that from me, and I wish it weren’t so! I need to be a better example to all my kids. Make sure they have a few raw veggies with each meal. And I will, too.
• I bought a light chocolate bar the other day. I decided I did not want to deprive myself totally of chocolate. I’ve had some the past two nights, and I don’t think it was such a great decision. Maybe I’ll only have some if I’ve made good choices throughout the day. Right now I feel like I’ve decided I could have some, so I should, instead of making it something special.
• I need to make my list of goal! What are realistic goals that are not unhealthy nor unattainable? I’ve got to do a little more research before I post my official goal list!

I love the way blogging is helping to keep me motivated, encouraged and inspired. BUT… with a husband and 4 children and a “farmette” it’s not always easy. This past week my house has been a mess, because I’ve spent a lot of time at the computer, reading weight loss blogs and other weight loss related sites. I need to prioritize here a little and find some sort of balance. Don’t want to go overboard and then ditch the whole idea. How do mom’s with kids do this???

Looking forward to a great week!

Casey