The scale doesn't control you. You control yourself. It's ALL in the decisions you make and the direction you take.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Eight Weeks -- 19 Pounds Down!



Eight weeks -- 19 Pounds down!

Friday, May 30, 2014

When I woke up this morning, I was feeling sorry for myself. Depressed and lonely. 
But when I weighed in -- I was down two pounds from last Friday. 

That's 19 pounds in Eight weeks (six back at SP). Now, I do realize that some of that is water loss. I was all hopped up on sugary, carbonated sodas and sodium-laced chips. 

But I feel so much better now. 

This rather disappointing, depressing, stressful week did not lead to a backslide or a binge. 

I'm going to go take a walk, listen to some music, and quietly celebrate the fact that I did not 'cave in' and I kept on track. I'm proud of myself. 

Terri 1 -- Stress Eating 0

Thursday, May 29, 2014

50 Ways to Burn 100 Calories




50 Ways to Burn 100 Calories 
(Values are approximate and are based on a 150-pound person.) 

Workouts: 
1. Biking: 23 minutes of casual cycling 
2. Cardio dance class: 15 minutes 
3. Elliptical: 8 minutes 
4. Jumping rope: 9 minutes at a moderate intensity 
5. Lifting weights, vigorously: 15 minutes 
6. Pilates: 24 minutes 
7. Rowing machine: 13 minutes 
8. Running stairs: 6 minutes 
9. Running: 9 minutes of running at a 6 mph pace 
10. Swimming: 15 minutes moderate intensity 
11. Walking stairs: 11 minutes 
12. Walking: 20 minutes of walking at a 3 mph pace 
13. Water aerobics: 23 minutes 
14. Yoga: 20 minutes 
15. Zumba: 11 minutes 

Sports and Leisure Activities: 
16. Basketball, shooting hoops: 20 minutes 
17. Bowling: 30 minutes 
18. Dancing around living room: 20 minutes 
19. Darts: 35 minutes 
20. Golfing, carrying clubs: 15 minutes 
21. Ice skating, moderate: 18 minutes 
22. Kickball: 13 minutes 
23. Mini golf or driving range: 30 minutes 
24. Playing catch with a football: 35 minutes 
25. Playing Frisbee: 30 minutes 
26. Playing soccer, casual: 13 minutes 
27. Skiing, downhill: 10 minutes 
28. Softball or baseball: 18 minutes 
29. Tennis (doubles): 21 minutes 
30. Tennis (singles): 15 minutes 
31. Treading water, moderate effort: 23 minutes 
32. Volleyball, recreational: 26 minutes 
33. Water skiing: 15 minutes 

Yard Work: 
34. Mowing the lawn: 20 minutes 
35. Painting house: 18 minutes 
36. Raking leaves: 23 minutes 
37. Shoveling snow: 15 minutes 
38. Washing the car: 20 minutes 
39. Weeding the garden: 18 minutes 

Everyday Activities: 
40. Carrying an infant: 24 minutes 
41. Cleaning, moderate effort: 26 minutes 
42. Cooking: 34 minutes 
43. Doing dishes: 40 minutes 
44. Mopping the floor: 20 minutes 
45. Playing with children: 23 minutes 
46. Pushing a stroller: 35 minutes 
47. Rearranging furniture: 14 minutes 
48. Shopping: 38 minutes 
49. Sweeping: 23 minutes 
50. Walking the dog, 26 minutes 


Monday, May 26, 2014

Down to a Size 2X! Go me!


Welcome to Size 2X!

Monday, May 26, 2014

I tried the new pants on this morning... Size 2X and they fit perfectly!!! I am so excited. It's been since probably June of 2010 since I was in a 2X -- that after getting down to a normal-size 16 in 2009. 

I'm on my way and it feels so good! 

Talk about motivation! I am INSPIRED and ready to rock 'n' roll! 

emoticon emoticon emoticon



This is how much fat I've lost: 16 pounds.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Not so veggie pizza!

This recipe can be made with or without the pepperoni slices. If you leave off the pepperoni, then subtract 53 calories and 199 mg of Sodium from the nutritional info!

15 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

1 English Muffin, sliced open
6 Pepperoni Slices
2 Tablespoons Pizza Sauce
3 Slices Zucchini
3 Slices Summer (Yellow) Squash
2 Tablespoons Pico de Gallo
2 Tablespoons shredded cheese

Directions

Slice English Muffin open and lay flat on baking pan.
Top each side with one (1) Tablespoon of sauce.
Place three (3) slices of pepperoni on each muffin.
Place three (3) slices of zucchini on one muffin half and three (3)
slices of squash on the other.
Top each muffin with a tablespoon each of pico de gallo
and the shredded cheese.
Bake at 375 for approx. 10 minutes until the cheese is melted
and bubbly.
Serves 1.

Nutritional Info

Amount Per Serving

Calories 300.3
Total Fat 14.4 g
Saturated Fat 6.9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 32.5 mg
Sodium 775.3 mg
Potassium 230.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate 31.1 g
Dietary Fiber 6.2 g
Sugars 3.9 g
Protein 13.7 g

What do you do at Spark People?

What do you do at Spark People?

Thursday, May 22, 2014

I've had several people ask me that question. I have many answers. 

I track my weight, my nutrition, my fitness / exercise minutes. I answer trivia questions and take polls. I read health articles and watch motivational videos. I learn. 

I find and create recipes. 

Those things are wonderful to be sure. These are the things that have contributed to my weight loss and my determination to stay on track. They aren't the most important thing. 

The most important thing I've learned and the most important thing I do is participate and connect with fellow sparkers. 

I try to find new members and comment on their blogs and spark pages. I send them goodies with a positive message. 

I want them to know that I'm right here beside them cheering them on. I want my fellow sparkers to succeed. We do not have to take this journey alone. 

This community -- this family -- at Spark People is my inspiration, my comfort, my safe place. I want to share that with others. 

What do I do at Spark People? 

I live.

 

Monday, May 19, 2014

To Know Where You're Going, Remember Where You've Been.

To know where you're going, remember where you've been.

Monday, May 19, 2014

You may have noticed that I changed my weight loss ticker this morning. 

I have decided that while it's a bit overwhelming to try to lose 130+ pounds, 25 pounds is very much an attainable goal. The starting weight is my current 275 (Goodbye 291!) and my 1st goal is 250 (well, 249 actually...) 

I gave this a lot of thought. I didn't want anyone to think I started out at 275 or that my ultimate goal was 250. Thus this post. I just knew that I needed to see short-term progress. I am curious to know about how long it will take for me to SAFELY, REASONABLY lose 25 pounds. 

I am in no rush. I didn't put it on in one day, one week, one month, or even one year. This is old fat. It will take some time and a lot of dedication and commitment. 

I'm ready. I'm armed with the love and support of family, friends, and Sparkers. Christ is with me, always. I am changing my body and myself to His Honour and Glory. 

I have always believed that to know where you are going, you MUST remember where you have been. 

I've been slender. I am obese. Now, with the turning of the tide, I will return from whence I came. 

The journey continues. 

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Dreams... and the story they tell.

Dreams... and the story they tell.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

A couple of months before coming back to Spark people, I began having a recurring dream. 

I was back home on Tybee. I was walking down Jones Avenue -- which runs approximately 3/4 the length of the island. I was slender. I had energy and wasn't tired. 

I went in to a very familiar store to talk with friends and they remarked on the weight I'd gained. Looking down, I saw myself as I am now. I cried. 

One of my friends stopped me cold by telling me that I KNEW how to lose weight and why wasn't I doing it? 

She proceeded to lay it all out for me. "Two sizes" she said. "You've done it before, get out and do it now. I'm not sorry for you." 

I had that dream about 5 times. 

I'm awake now. I DO know how to lose weight and I AM doing it. 

I haven't had that dream since I came back to SP. 

BTW: That sweet old friend of my dreams? She died in 2001. emoticon 

For you, MAJ. I miss you. Thank you.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Sometimes... it's a breeze...

Sometimes... it's breeze...

Thursday, May 15, 2014

And sometimes it's a *****. Today was such a day. emoticon But I'm over it, I didn't make a mad dash to the Sonic or the refrigerator. I kept my head. 

I think I'd almost forgotten that anger is a trigger for me. I remember now. 

Losing my patience is no excuse for over-eating. Neither benefits my body or soul. 

I'm going to go to sleep with my Rosary in hand and a prayer for strength and understanding in my heart. 

I will forego the cookies. emoticon

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Water Break-Through

Water Break-through

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

I've finally hit the water break-through. I was up ALL night rushing to the Ladies room! last time I was at SP, it took a couple of months, this time just about 5 weeks. 

I'm glad it's here and so are my gravel pits... I mean... kidneys! 

"When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. Once this happens you have reached the "breakthrough point". What does this mean? 
*Endocrine-gland function improves. 
*Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost. 
*More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat. 
*Natural thirst returns. 
*There is loss of hunger almost overnight." 
~~ Tanya Zilberter, PhD ~~ 

I know that this has proved true for me, but I do not endorse her statements as fact. 

Now that I am re-hydrating myself with water (generally 10-12 glasses per day), I don't feel so tired and listless. I'm not hungry. And when I'm thirsty, I want WATER not sodas or juices. 
More importantly, I KNOW my kidneys are functioning much better. That's the greatest benefit for me as I have suffered with kidney stones since I was four years old. 

Eliminating waste is important. You must flush your system in order for it to function properly. 

"The overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry. 
*Water should preferably be cold - it's absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water.* 
And some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories." 

So, folks, drink that water! emoticon 

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Halfway There



Halfway There

This will be the most personal blog I've ever posted on Spark People. Perhaps, the most personal anywhere. 


The title has a tale to tell. A sad, yet infinitely hopeful tale of depression and forgiveness. 

I was not always depressed and obese. Far from it. I had a brilliant, happy childhood. My teen years were not filled with angst and rebellion. 

I weighed about 135 from my 16th year until I was about 29. 

1989 brought some not unexpected, but devastating changes and challenges to my life. My closest friend and aunt had COPD and her health declined rapidly. In and out of hospitals, her refusal to stop smoking (menthols!), and her incredible weight gain from steroids just beat her down. 

In July 1989, my beloved Pop (maternal grandfather / adoptive father) had a stroke. He was 87 and it began his decline. 

I lost a couple of cousins at this time, too. By the time 1995 ended, I counted 27 family members gone. Including my aunt, my Pop, and my Nanie (maternal grandmother / adoptive mother) who was my special angel and best friend on this earth. 

Anyway, in 1989, I began to search for comfort. A comfort I could reach for and control. That was food. That was my crutch. That was my downfall. 

Even though I gave birth to a wonderful daughter in 1992, my need to escape sad memories and grief was too much. Food was my way of running away from it all. I ran so far... and gained so much weight. I left the hospital after giving birth at 174 pounds. Still manageable. Six months later, I was at 200 and I never looked back. 

I finally topped out somewhere in the low 300s. I don't know for sure because I refused to step on a scale. 

In February of 2009, something finally clicked and I began to make a few changes. I tossed the sodas and began drinking water. Just a small change, but I could feel a difference. Then... in March... I had a dangerous situation occur: my blood pressure spiked. I didn't even know I had HBP! It was 230 / 200. Stroke range. 

When the nurse weighed me, I was at 288. Wait... I've LOST weight? Yep... just from that one change. No sodas, no non-nutritional calories. 

The Doctor put me on several meds and advised to me to follow a sensible diet program. 

That's when I found Spark People. It was (and still is) a God-send to me. I tracked everything I ate, drank my water, walked, exercised, participated... and lost 66 pounds by December 2009. I was halfway there. Halfway to my goal weight. I think the last time I weighed (for several years), I was at 232. 

January 2010 brought yet another round of unexpected, devastating changes. I stopped coming to Spark People. I started drinking sodas. I stopped tracking my food and stopped walking. From a size 18 to a 1X... 2X... and here I am in 2014, wearing a 3X again. 

Several weeks ago, I was watching the show, My 600 Pound Life, on TLC. I guess I watched 3 or 4 episodes in a row. I turned to my husband and said, "There but for the Grace of God, go I".
He responded, sadly but with truth empowered, "You're halfway there." 

Talk about a wake-up call! He was right. It was the truth. I was halfway to a 600 pound life. 

The very next day, I cleaned out my fridge, tossed the sodas, and made a brand-new shopping list. I weighed 291 pounds. 

That was a few short weeks ago. Today, I've been back at Spark People for a few weeks now and today, I weigh 277. 

It's going to take dedication and commitment. I need to lose 137 pounds to reach my goal of 140. That's a lot of fat to lose. To be "halfway there", I will need to lose 68.5 pounds. 

I can do that. I can do anything I set my mind to do. I am strong. I am truth empowered. I am ready to let go of the pain and sorrow of grief and loss. Most of all, I am ready to face my failures, learn from my mistakes, and move forward in a spirit of joy and self-acceptance. 

Thank you, Spark People, for offering this place of safe refuge and support. Thank you for the encouragement, the trackers, the teams, the recipes, and everything else that you provide to help us. I don't know if I could do this without you. 

Terri 
#HalfwayThere

Red Snapper with Veggies

Quick, no fuss high protein Red Snapper with frozen
veggies.

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

    *Red Snapper Filet, 24 oz 
    *Birds Eye Steam Fresh Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans, 4 serving (2 bags)
    *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 tbsp 
    *Margarine, 70% vegetable oil spread, 1 tbsp 
    *Garlic, minced, 1 tsp
    *Lemon, 1 serving

    Directions

    Lay aluminum in a deep cooking pan. Lightly drizzle the olive oil and smooth it on the foil to cover. 
    Salt and pepper both sides of the snapper and lay it skin down in the pan.
    Slice the lemon and place slices on the fish. DO NOT SQUEEZE THE LEMON ON THE FISH! 
    Mix the margarine and garlic together and gently rub on the flesh of the snapper.
    Last, open the bags of frozen vegetables and spread them in the pan. As the butter mixture melts, the veggies will get a nice coating a well. 
    Bake at 425 F. for 50 minutes or until snapper is white and flaky.

    Serving Size: Makes 4 servings







    Nutritional Info
    • Servings Per Recipe: 4
    • Amount Per Serving
    • Calories: 340.9
    • Total Fat: 11.5 g
    • Cholesterol: 60.0 mg
    • Sodium: 472.3 mg
    • Total Carbs: 25.8 g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3.4 g
    • Protein: 37.7 g