Monday, August 31, 2009

You're Getting to be a Habit with Me


So....


Lets talk about breakfast for a few minutes ....I kinda touched on it a bit in a previous post but this will be a little more in depth.


We know THE most important meal of the day is breakfast....We have heard that for years and years ....

I struggle with breakfast because for years and years and years I have not eaten it ...at all. Just something about eating that early in the morning makes me almost want to gag a bit ...

But for the last two+ weeks I have been eating something...EVERY DAY.

Maybe it is a bowl of cereal or a cup of yogurt. Perhaps a whole grain waffle with some turkey sausage.
One day I ate some raisin bread with peanut butter on it with a banana. That might have been my favorite so far....but the main thing is I am eating breakfast.

I am slowly changing those hard to kill habits....I will be honest most mornings I still have a strong gag reflex but it seems to be getting better.

I think for me it will eventually come down to pairing certain things together...Raisin bread with a banana.....Apple with peanut butter and a waffle with a little syrup. Maybe a smoothie....I have mentioned my love of all things oatmeal and am waiting for that first really good cool snap to have me a bowl!!

So you will fogive me if I have asked this before but whats your favorite breakfast food? What is something that will get you going and keep you going all morning.
Or maybe its just your comfort thing....french toast, Chappys pancakes, hashbrowns at Waffle House....
I do confess a love for good pancakes ....!!!!

I am interested to know what you like ....


Sunday, August 30, 2009

Night and Day

So.....
First of all ...Where in the hello is the cooler weather we were promised more than a week ago my that lying Rich Thomas ...I mean it was so incredibly muggy out tonight while walking it felt like the beach after a short rain.
I am excited about the coming cooler weather and when I am walking in the park I find myself thinking back to previous falls and the leaves on the ground and the bright colors in the trees.

Second....Is it ok after only two weeks I find myself thinking ALOT about weight loss, healthy eating, figuring out when I can excercise etc ..
I mean I know that what I am doing is a good thing....and that any cutting back I am doing and excerising I am adding is a HUGE benefit....
I just dont want to become one of those folks that only talks weight loss/diet/excercise 24/7. I started this new blog to keep folks up to date and to help keep myself accountable ....So far its been a real blast.
Chew on that for a bit and let me know what you think ....

Third...WHo has some good smoothie recipes they care to share...I got one off here already but am looking for some more tried and true recipes that YOU have made in your own kitchen.
Let me know ...
Thats all I got tonight folks ....Hope yall have a great Monday
Peace

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Satisfaction

So...
Today marked the end of two weeks of the new diet stuff and I am happy to report that in the past week I lost another 5lbs. I am, once again , very excited.
So here are the stats as of today
Starting Weight-381
Todays Weight-369
Total Lost-12lbs

My question tonight is what leaves us/me/you satisfied? I am going to approach this from a food/eating perspective but feel free to branch out into other aspects of your life when you maybe ponder this question.
I think about the excitement of Thanksgiving and the food. I love the family atmosphere and having a house full of folks. Watching the parade and then some football...but lets be honest we all really enjoy the idea of gorging ourselves for that one day.
But who really enjoys that miserable, over-fed, bloated feeling we get after...Sure its nice to sit in a chair and zone out for a bit before brewing a pot of coffee and getting a piece of pie or cake. Or maybe a serving of my aunts sweet potato crunch casserole.
But its the immediate effect of eating too much that we hate. We DONT listen to our bodies....
You gotta eat ONE.MORE.BITE.
Maybe we think we are going to miss something....maybe we think that this is once a year and lets fill up for the winter.
I know there are other times during the year we do this but Thanksgiving I would think is the TOP when it comes to overeating days.
Many of us experience this struggle to limit our overindulgences on a daily basis. We have a great sangwich but really want some dessert also....We have a burger but also get the cheese fries.....We go to ChikFilA and get the regular sangwich but upsize just cause....
We want to naturally add....
Food is Comfort for sure. Whats one of the first things people do when someone passes away...You take them food. Or start planning when you are going to " feed the family"
Is it a southern thing? I know obesity and bad eating habits exist outside the South but we seem to think that food will sooth and it does. I know already that one of the worst things you can do is "emotional eat"
So Why do we have a hard time listening to what our body is telling us ?
Why do we think we know better when our bodies clearly are rioting against us and saying PLEASE STOP?
I am starting to slowly learn to listen to my body better.....Eating slower...putting the fork down...sitting at the table or in the kitchen....All of these things go a long way in helping us to adjust and listen.
I have heard through the grapevine that a few new folks are reading this blog and to them I say WELCOME!!...You are encourged to leave some comments...good, bad, informative whatever..
Hope tomorrow is great for everyone and now week three starts...
Peace

Friday, August 28, 2009

Dreaming My Dreams With You

So.....

What are some things you want to accomplish in your life ? I know many of you out there have met many of your goals. I know many have married that dream guy or girl. Have travelled the world and seen the sights.
But what, if anything, is missing?
Perhaps you want to learn to fly a plane ...Maybe you want to swim the English Channel. Maybe you want to learn a second language, or a third and fourth.
I started this weight loss/healthy eating walk two weeks ago almost with no other goal in mind than to lose weight and get into better shape. I have a healthier heart. To lower my blood pressure. To just feel better.
But here are some things that I always seem to have stuck way back in the back of my head. Mind you they have been there for years but at age 35 perhaps its time to consider WHEN some things might happen.
  • Hike the Appalachian Trail. If not the whole thing then large parts of it. Not taking a day hike while on vacation but taking two week or a month and hiking for miles and miles of it.
  • Walk the Highlands of Scotland. Stand on the ragged, time worn perches and look across that beautiful country and thing about what happened over the years there ...
  • Get married. I was just telling someone the other day that perhaps I am not the marrying kind of person. Maybe I will one day be content with having someone in my life long term. Then I think ...Nah. I want to get married...time will tell.
  • Visit the beaches near Anzio, Italy.
  • Take voice lessons. I can sing but with some training perhaps I could be better ...who knows.

Those are a few for me ....hiking the AT would be amazing for sure. I worry at this point in my life of doing it but perhaps when I am in better shape, who knows??

I remember reading a story about a guy who hiked the trail just to lose weight and ended up losing like 60lbs I think.

So whats your "to do " list right now ? and if you get to looking for me maybe you can find me on the AT.

Peace

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Here's That Rainy Day


So.....


I walked tonight.....I walked in the rain. This might sound nuts and totally crazy but there was something incredibly relaxing about it. I also have found that one of the big keys for me walking is picking the right music to walk with...
If you know me then you know what type music I like and listen to....For the most part its been Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Basie, Miles Davis with some Mozart and Bach mixed in...
I have also listened to Patsy Cline and Hank Williams. Pat Green and a little Earl Scruggs.
It makes it go SOOO much quicker but tonight had a nice relaxed feel about it although I was really moving....

With this system I am on for weight loss you count your points. Almost every food item on the planet(or most of the planet) has a point. If you eat it you count it. I am still struggling to use all my points each day and I guess that a good thing and a bad thing.

I am staying on track BUT I am possibly not getting enough to keep my metabolism going....So I will continue to work on getting rid of the points.

I also know that you can add back points for the walking, lifting, running etc that you do ...but I am not doing that ....
Thats about it for tonight ...My plan tomorrow is to possibly sleep late !!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

AC-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive


So......


Not alot tonight to report ..I did blog this morning about Sen Kennedys passing so this will make TWO for the day ..

One main thing that I have been going back and forth on is what day to take off during the week. And by that I mean what day or days should I relax from excercising ...

Wednesday ...the middle of the week and a good spot to relax a bit

The weekend....Sit back and think about what my week was like and what I can do different next week

Or not take off at all and just keep on going ....anything I do is a positive right now thats my way of looking at it

Anyway ...just something I have been thinking about today ...


Another thing ...I have to admit that I am really enjoying the process of making some kind of breakfast in the morning..

Like today was a banana and one piece of raisin bread with peanut butter on it ...Simple but good and it was something. I used to never eat breakfast

I thought that this would be my lest favorite part of everything but so far I have found some pretty neat solutions to filling that void

I am a big fan of oatmeal but only during the colder months so once it really starts to feel like fall on a more regular basis I am going to get back into eating a hot bowl of oatmeal.

Any other quick easy breakfast ideas yall might have ? Pass um along my way ...

Softly as I Leave You


In Memoriam

Ted Kennedy


We have all read or heard the news about Senator Ted Kennedys death last night from brain cancer. It was a hard fight that he fought until the very end. He was a champion for the working man, for the disenfranchised, minorities and those in real need. He sponsored or co-sponsored many bills that have shaped this nation in the last 40 years. He is owed a huge debt of gratitude for doing the hard things. He reached across the aisle to get support for things that were not always popular but he never forgot his base and who he was working for...This earned him the tile "Lion of the Senate". He was respected. I wanted him to be my senator.


One thing that keeps coming back to me is the fact that he led his family for 40 years after the death of Bobby Kennedy.....He was never really "the one"in the Kennedy family. It was supposed to be older brother Joe, then Jack , then Bobby. Ted was the youngest and the playboy. He got into more trouble and broke the most rules. And he usually always got caught doing the bad stuff. He learned and he grew.

His older brothers were all dead along with a sister, Kathleen. So by 1970 he turned around and realized his family needed him to step up and he did.

My grandmother loved and respected Ted Kennedy. She cursed at him for some of the things he did in his life but she knew he did ALOT for the people of Massachusetts and for America.

Hard to believe that in less than a month two great Kennedys are gone ....


I voted for Barack Obama last year for many many reasons but last year when Ted Kennedy endorsed Obama I kinda knew then that I would be voting for and throwing my support towards Obama.


If I am being honest I will have to say that Sen Kennedys passing has been tough for me this morning ...just sad is how I feel.

I hope he has rest and comfort now ....

Rest In Peace, Senator .


Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mack the Knife

So.....
I dont know if you know this but you need to be REALLY careful when cutting turnip roots. First of all after you have removed the outer layer they are really slippery. I was using a cutting board and a fairly sharp knife but those buggers move around alot...I am a confident person in the kitchen but when things move about like that I get nervous. Kinda like cutting up a whole chicken....that makes me nervous also.

I cooked a small roast tonight that called for fresh garlic, half sodium chicken broth and fresh thyme. It roasted for about an hour and half then you add a few quarted red potatoes, cut up turnip roots, onions and carrots. I forget the carrots....
With this recipe you got a HUGE serving of everything and being honest I did not even eat all of mine....I ate my salad first and drank water so I guess I filled up. But got some great leftovers for tomorrow.

Excercise-
I have a problem that I cant seem to overcome....Shin splints!! I stretch, I warm up but I still get them and after walking for a bit its almost unbearable. Any suggestions ?

Thats all I got tonight ...Peace

Monday, August 24, 2009

Don't stop believin'

So.....

This might sound crazy ...but in the very short week that I have been doing all this weight loss stuff I have already found myself feeling better.
Maybe its psychological.....Maybe I am just tricking myself into feeling better but I swear to you there is something just a tad bit different and I cant quite put my finger on it....
Maybe its the fact that I find myself wanting to cook more ....wanting to figure out the points in a meal and make it in my own kitchen. The satisfaction of sitting down to something good and healthy and hearty.
Maybe its the long term goals.....Seeing myself in a few weeks....months...years.
Maybe its knowing that with the loss aspect I will gain more confidence in other areas.
Maybe its the excitement of knowing that with the more I lose the closer I can possibly get to getting rid of high blood pressure medicines that I take on a daily basis.
Its gonna happen and that has me very excited.
Peace

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Just You Wait ....

So......

Another great day of beautiful weather .....another great night of catching up with friends....
Another great episode of Mad Men ( no matter what LM says !!!)....

I heard this story over the weekend about a guy who was about my age, height, weight and he started the same program that I am working on to get into better shape...
In the past like 17-18 months he has lost 190lbs!!! He orginally joined because his doctors told him to lose weight BEFORE having gastric bypass surgery. He started and really enjoyed it and just stuck with it ...That is AMAZING and almost hard to believe. I asked the lady telling the story to repeat it twice just so I heard it right....
That is a whole complete person ...Gone. Just astounded me ...His story is enough to keep me going for weeks for sure. Glad to have had the chance to hear about and it has me wanting to meet this guy just to talk and see what advice he has to offer another guy on the same journey.

and a couple of things to remember about me ...

I will sing loudly in the shower if given the chance
I will laugh out loud while listening to A Prairie Home Companion
I am pretty level headed ( I think)
I don't like cats (sorry Sullivan)
I do enjoy live theater (or is it theatre) but don't go nearly enough
I would rather be with folks on a porch than at a bar any day of the week and twice on Saturday.

Thats about all I got for tonight ....Hope everyone had a great Sunday
Peace

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Dont Know Why ....

So......

Today was an absolute beautiful, pre-fall day here in Central Alabama. Just to be outside for any amount of time should have made you happy. For me anyway ...

I am very pleased to let everyone know that I went for my first weigh in since starting the new stuff last weekend and the numbers dont lie...I lost 7 pounds !
I was pretty shocked actually....I kinda figured that I had done pretty good for the week but nothing compared me for that number. So that puts me at 374lbs. Headed in the right direction for sure. I cant put my finger on it but I just never thought I would do that in one week ...
I know guys lose quicker.....and that sometimes during that first week you can lose alot but still seven pounds is seven pounds. I am very happy and pleased with my first weeks progress.
Now its time to add in some other things that will help keep me going towards my ultimate goal.

Tonight was a fun night of catching up with old friends and meeting some new folks who were very nice and seemed like folks you could easily hang out with and have a good time. I am at my most comfortable with my friends. My friends just know me and get me in a way that others dont...
God Blesses us in so many ways ....

Its midnight and I still need to finalize some stuff for Sunday School in the morning ...
I appreciate yall reading so far ....Stay Tuned !!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Five Minutes More ....

So......
Today was a good day ! While I am glad that I no longer live in Macon county it was VERY nice to visit with folks and see family. Added to that was the fact that we were seeing folks in a normal settting...No funeral had us in Macon county this time it seems that the only time we see folks sometimes is at a funeral. Sad.
My 90 year old aunt fixed us lunch today and although it was just spaghetti... It was very tasty. There is just something about older folks cooking that makes things better...ya know ?
I had a small serving and some garlic bread ...so not a deal breaker.
We spent most of the day just visiting with folks and riding around the county looking at places from my Grannys past and when it was all over it left me wishing we had more time ...but there can be other trips....

I went to the grocery store tonight and found some Jiffs Natural Peanut Butter. I really like peanut butter. I also really like the natural peanut butter with the oil on top but most times its more expensive ...this Jiff was not that expensive. ALSO I compared the fat/fiber/calories on the back and it looked pretty good. I will let ya know how it tastes !
Hope yall had a great day and THANKS to everyone for their words of encouragment this week it has meant alot!!
More to come ....

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tomorrow ....

So.....

Not alot going on here today ...had a very productive day at work. Got a good bit done in my office and at the church in general.

I mentioned last night my dislike for turkey bacon ...well today at lunch I had a turkey burger and OH MY GOODNESS it was amazing....
It had bell peppers and mushrooms on it ....light mayo...mustard. The bun was a regular run of the mill bun but wow I am really impressed at how good the burger was .....
and speaking of cooking ...here is something else for you to try if you are game

Take a Penne Need a Penne Chicken Pasta (or whatever you want to call it)
One box of whole grain penne pasta or 13 OZs
One can of diced tomatoes-
1-1.5 cups of cooked chicken diced or shredded
1 cup low fat mozzarella cheese
One small jar mushrooms or you you can cup up about a cup of fresh ones
about a half cup of sliced olives.Black or green.
1/2 cup light italian dressing
1/3 cup chopped basil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cook the pasta and drain....
Cook the chicken basil and tomatoes just till warmed good ...bout 5 minutes.
Toss all together and chill.
I think you could lower the pasta level and still have a great dish but its great for leftovers also...
A serving was a cup ...make a big salad and enjoy.

Is anyone watching Mad Men ?? Perhaps the best show on TV right now. Its got to be right up there with FNL as far as writing and character development goes. Just a brilliant show ...Check it out on AMC on Sunday nights
There will be fat year ...There will be lean years, but it is going to rain.-Don Draper

...And tomorrow I head home to Tuskegee/Notasulga to take my Granny to visit family and friends. One set of friends we used to play cards with and I am looking forward to seeing them...The husband fell about 20 years ago and broke his back and the lingering results of that have him basically homebound.
Wonderful folks that I cant wait to see...
Hope your day was great !!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

My Favorite Things ....


So.....


Its Wednesday night and day 4 of my new "stuff".....and here are a few things I have discovered in the short time


  • Turkey sausage is really good ....turkey bacon can take a long walk off a short pier.

  • Sams sells HUGE chickens for roasting and of course its much much cheaper than buying a bird already cooked there...I cooked two and am eating the results as the days go by .

  • I tend to get the munchies at night ....nothing bad but I want something ...any suggestions on how to overcome this ?

  • Lots of water = lots of time in the bathroom...of course I knew this but MAN my bladder is wondering what the frig is up ...

  • Doing any form of a sit up causes you to feel as though you have pulled every muscle in your chest.....

  • Writing something every day is a lot more challenging than I thought it would be ...but I am dedicated to keeping myself motivated and you up to date

  • Fiber One Yogurts and Fiber One bars are good but they also ...well...you know what they do

  • I have rediscovered my love for apples. Gala are my apple of choice right now

So thats it ....also I am sitting here writing this while listening to Christmas music....that is no suprise to many of you but as I have said time and time again ...It relaxes me.



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Put on A Happy Face.....

So......

Today was my first day on my new eating habit that I met a friend for lunch at Chappys ....I hate to day diet for some reason, Call me nuts.
I was a little worried about meeting for lunch since I am still very green with all this new stuff of counting points and watching portion size but I was very pleased with the HUGE salad I got ....I had unsweet tea with lemon and really enjoyed it all.
I worried for no reason I guess.....

I realized today that one year ago today I was in the Gulf Of Alaska doing a little fishing.....Such an amazing trip and made me also realize how much I enjoyed being up there .....Beautiful country for sure.

I mentioned on FB but I will say it here also ...I am SICK to death of all things political ...just tired of it ...to the point that I get antsy when politics comes up.
I used to have a rather full bodied debate with a guy at church but lately I just sit and let him go on ....I am tired of it all.
Thats all I got folks ...I am headed to watch some West Wing

Monday, August 17, 2009

The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music......

....Or the loud tailpipes of the reds down the street working on their jacked up trucks.....

So......
Went by PriMed this afternoon to have my BP taken and it read 140/83....Not too bad but not the best either...although I have had a pretty intense headache the last two days ...right behind my left eye...UGH.
Today was a good day at work ....Got alot finished up and off my desk .... had a HUGE salad for lunch....Romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, cucumbers, onions, turkey bacon, fat free croutons, and some low fat 1000 Isle dressing.....
I also fixed me a turkey sangwich on whole wheat/grain bread with tomatoes and Kraft Mayo made with Olive Oil. I did not even eat the sangwich....Salad kinda filled me up...
Got some great advice from Eleanor....THANKS!!

I am in the midst of re-watching season 6 of The West Wing and am really enjoying it ....I wish real politics could be like it is on this show.....
And speaking of all politics ...I think I am going to hang up my hat with regards to all things political...I will talk about the weather, sports, travel ANYTHING but politics.

Excercising went well....Actually did some sit ups tonight LOL ....not many but a few ...

Headed to read a bit about the Civil War then to watch some more WW.

Peace

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday ...

So.....
Day one went really good I think ....
They way the system works that I am using is that each and every food item you put into your mouth has a point value ....
A small to medium apple is 1 point.
A Banana is 2 points.
A Lean Cuisine Roasted Beef Tips with Carrots and gravy is 5 point.
I think you see how it works ...

Every person has a different number as to how many points they can have in a day. The more you weigh then typically the more points you get . I get like 44 points a day!!!
I get ALOT of points ....of course as you lose weight then you adjust the number down but to be honest today I had a hard time trying to eat enough to use all my points.
My main thing is going to be to make sure I keep a full stock of fruits and veggies to snack on ....and to continue the water intake.
I am pretty good about drinking a good bit of water anyway but I am starting OPERATION CAMEL tomorrow ....Besides OJ and Milk, the main other drink for me will be water.
I am excited to begin the work week with all its temptations of eating out with youth and friends. Also if you have ever worked in a church before then you know folks always want to FEED you in some way ....bring you a cake or cookies. Fix you a plate of something....
I welcome the challenge
See ya tomorrow

Saturday, August 15, 2009

There is a Brotherhood of Man ..a benevolent brotherhood of man ...A noble tie that binds ...all you in hearts and minds

So.......

It begins here ....
We are all connected by our genuine concern for each other...
I think about Lane and Mary as they begin their new life in Atlanta....Luke and Jackie as they run towards parenthood and new business adventures....Nick and Laura as they watch beautiful girls grow ...

I have concerns about my health....I needed some type of accountability. I needed a support group, if you will. I needed folks in the same boat as myself... so I joined a local weight loss group today. I am hoping that this will be the first step towards a healthier me ....
I can honestly say that I am not embarassed about who I am ....I am just me. But I full well know that I can be in better shape. I can cut some things and add some things back that are much better for me. I already excercise some but can do more and that begins Monday morning ...the new eating plan and lifestyle begins tomorrow.

I promised myself that I would totally honest and transparent on this new blog and I fully intend to keep that promise. It wont be easy but its a promise I made to myself and my dear readers.
To those of you out there who read this blog I encourage you to ask me questions, engage me in conversation in some way, challenge me in some way in regards to this my "whole new thing"

So here we go....
Today at 9:15 am I weighed in for the first time of what will be many times.....

Here are my important stats as of today August 15, 2009

Height-6'2ish inches
Weight-381
Blood Pressure-142/79

As I said ...I am not ashamed of who I am but I am concerned and worried about my overall health....
Wish me luck ...

Friday, August 14, 2009

Something New....

So......
I have decided to take a new approach to my blog and the posts that I make ....Tomorrow will be the first post in this new direction but you can see the changes I have made already.
New Title.....New Layout....New Picture...
So this is just a primer for whats to come ....
My goal will be to post everyday about the ups and downs of something that is a big deal in my life..... A daily diary for me and you.
If I am being honest I have to say that I stole this idea after seeing Julia and Julie last week...Really good movie by the way. But she blogged about something big and it got me to thinking .....
This will be my attempt to keep all my friends in the loop of big changes that I hope will be coming ...
Suprises around every corner ....