Delicious!

Recommended sweet tooth snack to you all - Do you like Peanut Butter Cups? I know I do. Well I have found that the Chocolate Quaker Rice Cakes with a tablesppon of Reduced Fat Skippy Peanut Butter smeared across the top of it is FANTASTIC! Only 60 calories in the rice cake and 90 calories in the peanut butter, which is also a good source of protein which is a great pick me up for the afternoon! Also it is WAY BIGGER then a 2 pack of peanut butter cups, which by the way have 210 calories and a lot of sugar!

Today I went to the grocery to get my food for work for the week. At the checkstand they have the Hostess items, so I picked up one of those Apple Pies I used to love so much, 470 CALORIES! I almost died! In one little tiny pie! No wonder we are a fat america!

I found at the store this morning, Bagel Thins, by Thomas'. They are whole wheat and only 110 calories for the bagel, and really good. I stood at the cream cheese for about 10 minutes though, reading and comparing labels, I finally settled on the Fat Free Philly Strawberry Cream Cheese. It was way lower in calories then most of the other ones.

Last night we went to Northwood's Inn for Lenny's Birthday, it was delicious. It amazed me how I was able to stop eating when I was full, I am determined to never feel "stuffed again". I am trying this mind trick where I tell myself to pack it up and take it home and I will get to enjoy it more then once! So far it is working....

BIG LOSER RESULTS!!!

First Place went to Jim Jr who lost 37 pounds in 2 months, he won $220.00.
Second Place went to ME (WOO HOO) for losing 20 pounds in 2 months, I won $120.00. I am so excited! They are going to do another round starting in a couple weeks so I am glad to have the motivation to work towards my goal weight!
Now I get to go shopping!

Big Loser Winner Contest Ends Today

Well today is the end of the Big Loser Contest at the office. I am so nervous, hopefully I placed. I am pretty sure I have at least 2nd or 3rd. Wish me luck, I will post again when I know what is happening.

I'mmmm Baaaaccccckkkkkkkkkk!!!!

Well I finally started feeling better Friday, which is awesome, because this was a doozy of a sickness! Decided not to start working out again until today, as my chest and cough have still been giving me a little bit of trouble.

So I decided to start again with a bang! I got up this morning and did 20 minutes on the elliptical, but then realized I was late and didn't eat breakfast (A BIG NO-NO). I haven't been following my 5-6 smaller meals and snacks when I was sick, as I was either trying to get some work done (yes they brought me a box he he, did I mention I requested they bring me the box?) or sleeping. Food didn't factor in much. I thought I might have dropped some more pounds since I didn't eat much but sorry to report I didn't. However, I did remain the same which makes me very happy. I want to see no increases on that scale! It has been hard as I was saying to get back into the many small meals, as my stomach lost that hunger all the time, but today it finally came back. I skipped breakfast and by the time I got to the office I was starved! I had an apple, cause lunch was soon I didn't want to eat much, and then at lunch had my usual Lean Cuisine. Today was one of those days where lunch was served at the office. Today was Kentucky Fried Chicken. I like Kentucky Fried Chicken. However, knowing how much progress I have made lead me right away from the table full of food and to the freezer to my Lean Cuisine (which was quite delicious). Had a pear about 3 as I was again getting hungry, and when I got home from work about 5:30 I had 16 little stick pretzels so I could make it till Lenny got home. We decided on tacos for dinner, it is so funny to see how different we make our food now. Lenny has those delicious homemade fried shells he makes, I had 2 whole wheat tortillas, he piled on the cheese, I barely sprinkled any, and you know what, I don't really miss it. One of the biggest things I have learned is how you don't really miss things. We just get used to having all these different items on our food, but by just cutting out a few ingredients you can cut a lot of calories. So, I wanted to share with you what a day of food is like for me.

Tonight I decided to try the "HARD FAT BURN" mode on my elliptical, Holy Cow. It is a 45 minutes program and I almost quit 5 times during. But I didn't, I was able to push through and did the entire program. It kicked my butt. I can't remember the last time I voluntarily sweat this much. LOL.

I wanted to take a minute to thank so many of you that wondered why I hadn't posted anything yet. That is the kind of push I need to keep me on track. Making sure I didn't quit really means a lot to me. As I have said so many times before, I will never make it through this on my own. I keep telling myself that it will get easier and easier, but I really don't know if it ever will? Will I always want to eat the box of donuts Lenny has on the counter? Now I haven't eaten one as I have had no problem resisting, but I still want it. Will I stop wanting it one day? Who knows....

In the past when I have attempted these ventures, one week of being sick like this I would have quit for sure. It is very hard to get back into the swing of things, but knowing that those of you who are following this are watching helped me get right back on track, and stay on track for that matter while I was sick last week. Thank you, for taking the time to care about what is happening in my life.

Ta Ta for Now........

Yucky Week

So I have been home sick so far this week. Went to the doctors today and I have a throat and chest infection. Doctor put me off work for two more days, so I will probably be down and out until this weekend. Then back to working out. I haven't eaten much because I am either sleeping or working on the computer feeling like dirt. Started the medication today so hope to feel better soon!

See you all next week!

Weigh In

Well, here we are.....6 weeks into this journey. So, here goes:

Today's Weigh In......291 - That is down 9 more pounds from my last weigh in on 2/24 and down 20 pounds since I started on 2/1.

Measurements: Today I checked my measurements, and I have lost 5 inches in my waist and 2 inches in my hips. My bust, arms, and thighs are pretty much the same. Hope that is because I am replacing the fat with muscle.

So I am on my way to bring Big Loser Nancy.....thanks for following me on this journey.

All my love....Nancy

Progress

The week has gone really good. I haven't seemed to get the twice a day everyday exercise in yet, but I am definetely on the track towards doing it. This week is my busiest week at work, and has always been my worst week for eating out.

I am happy to report that things do seem to be getting easier. This week we had lunch catered at work and I didn't even think twice about eating it. I haven't seen a drive thru all week. I am doing my cardio and strength training (go Barry's Boot Camp).

I am still hungry often, but I just have a snack or some more water. All I have drank in the past weeks is water and the occasional milk with cereal.

To anyone suffering some of the same problems with their weight, I am here to say it is possible, you just have to want it enough and be ready to make a life change, not just go on a diet. I am not on a diet, I am just changing what I eat.

Stay tuned....tomorrow I am doing a weigh in and measurements.

Good Start!

I am off to a great start! Up this morning and on the elliptical! Tonight Barry's Boot Camp!

Here comes another week...

So the weekend has been a breeze. We went to Cheesecake Factory Saturday night for Lenny's sisters birthday and let me tell you they have 4 really great choices for Weight Management that are under 600 calories and are a great portion. I had the chicken with rice and arugula salad, 590 calories AND I COULDN'T EVEN EAT IT ALL! So I ate even less then that! I actually under ate yesterday, only 1000 calories all day. I didn't eat my snacks, challenge!

I have been feeling really good lately, who knew it felt so good not to feel all bloated and full all the time? My jeans are starting to fall off so I guess that is a good problem. One thing that will be weird in all this is getting new clothes. I don't really want to buy clothes because I am so determined to just loose all this weight and move on, I guess I better get a belt! LOL.

Well my goal this week is to work out like crazy. I signed up for this Big Loser Plan at work and we are having a weigh in on Friday and I want to show a really good loss! I will need you all pushing me this week!

Until tomorrow,
Nancy

WOW!!!

I have been a little behind on starting the "Barry's Boot Camp" home workout system that Veronica gave me, but there was no day like the present and OMG! It was wonderful. I didn't pay for it, but I believe it would have been worth every penny. Today I did day one, which was a lower body workout. It has a warm up, 21 minutes workout, and then cool down. Let me just say as I sit here 10 minutes later trying to cool down, I am still sweating bullets and my abs are ON FIRE! I asked Lenny to go get the fire extinguisher because I think there may be a fire under all this cushion! He he. And for those of you who are around me the most know that I say "I'm gonna die" all the time, and this time I just might (had to throw in some drama queen, LOL)!

Any of you who might be interested in the Barry's Boot Camp set I see it is $44.95 on ebay!

I have almost finishing listening to "You on a Diet" by Dr. Oz, and as much as it is like a lecture from school, the knowledge I have gained about how my body works and why what you are is really what you eat, I am SO GLAD I listened to it. Today on the Dr. Oz show (I think it was todays, darn Tivo I never know what days show I am watching) they talked about weight loss being a J.O.B. J for journaling your food, check, I use the FatSecret.com. O for obstacles, that is for darn sure! They are all around me everyday. Even the drive home from work I think, I could just drive through and get something yummy, but then I think back to how far I have come and gladly enough I don't want to throw that away! B is for BE PATIENT, ahhhh, the hardest factor. Patience, in a world of fast paced I want it now mentality. That is what I need you all for. To remind me that this is going to take time and not to give up! That is the weakness, that is the easiest way to give up.

Have you ever noticed how many Lap Band billboards there are on the freeways? I mean they are EVERYWHERE, I am not kidding. If you haven't paid attention you should, it really is funny. OC Jenn and I were driving last Friday night and I swear in some areas they were like 2 or 3 billboards in a row. It was funny. I guess they are really pushing that. Funny.

So one of the things I am thinking about getting is a Pedometer....I want to see if I am coming close to 10,000 steps a day. Anyone have one that they know works good that they can recommend a brand? Or have one they can loan me so I can find out.

Well, I am off to the shower, have a wonderful night everyone, and thanks for following!

Yummy!

Well I accomplished my goal again today! Up at 7am and on the elliptical! Did 25 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the treadmill, the arms workout my Aunt and Uncle taught me, and then some stretches. We had company last night so I didn't get a night workout in, but tonight I plan to try Barry's Boot Camp DVD that Veronica gave me.

I am sitting here eating lunch and let me tell you I am having the Lean Cuisine Roast Turkey Breast with stuffing and apples! DELICIOUS!

So one of the items that I have been trying to learn is how many Carbs/Fat/etc. today I was reading the back of my Lean Cuisine and it gave you examples for a 2000 Calorie Diet - so I did the calculations to come up with my 1500 Calorie Diet. So if you are looking for the info also here goes:
                                     Guideline                               My 1500 Calorie Diet                                  Fat                         3.25g per 100 calories                  3.25 x 15 = 48g
Saturated Fat          1g per 100 calories                       1 x 15 = 15g
Cholestorol             15mg per 100 calories                  15 x 15 = 225mg
Sodium                   120mg per 100 calories                120 x 15 = 1800mg
Carbs                     15g per 100 calories                     15 x 15 = 225g             
Dietary Fiber           1.25g per 100 calories                 1.25 x 15 = 19g

Hope this helps you! It sure helped me.

Miracles do happen

Well I actually got up ON MY OWN at 6:30am and did 45 minutes of elliptical and some arms and stretching. I feel wonderful. As many of you know I hate getting up in the morning, but hopefully this empowerment of how good I feel right now will override "just 10 more minutes" when I am trying to get up in the morning!

Start of Month Two!

So here we are, one month down. This past weekend I was HORRIBLE! OC Jenn came into town and we had Nicole's shower on Saturday, and then this and that....we were so busy the weekend just flew by! So no working out and the food was so so. Portion control as always, but I had drinks Saturday night...Bad Girl.

So as this new month starts I am dedicated to trying new recipes from the cookbook collection now, pictures and details to come soon! Lenny is going to try and make me get up in the morning so I can start working out in both the morning and the evening to help me be a better morning person. We will see how that goes!

The Fat Secret.Com has been great, and I have even gotten several friends on there using it also! Now that is what this is all about! Spread the Word!

Well it is already 10:11 and I need to hit the treadmill! More posts soon!