Turn the Other Cheek

Have you ever just wanted to be totally up front and honest? A co-worker who gets her feelings hurt because you go to lunch and don't tell her you're going . . . a friend who always is telling you about her life, but never asks you about yours . . . hubby who always is talking about the next tournament he's entering, but he never wins them to recoup the money . . . those "I'm a christian", but you wouldn't know listening to me talk about other people . . .

I sometimes imagine myself telling these individuals how I really feel! Imagine if we could do this and not have any fall outs from it.  I don't mean to be self righteous or mean, just frank and directly honest. I would NEVER do this however. Because the few times I have let go, the guilt was crazy and the fall out ugly and really not worth it.

Do you walk away? Or are you a more direct person?



Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Lap top or Ipad??

Work has been unusually slow so I took some time yesterday to create a dinner menu for the month of October.  I usually create a dinner menu for the up coming week and use it to grocery shop with, but I just decided to do entire month's worth.  Of course it's subject to change!  Tonight my husband wanted to eat out.  But I convinced him the sausage patties thawing in fridge since Sunday needed grilled up so they wouldn't go bad.  Some mac n cheese and fresh cut cucumbers too and dinner was all set.  It was very good and much healthier (and cheaper) too!

Onto some techi issues  . . . my lap top keeps getting the blue screen of death! I restart in safe mode, but then it happens again.  I have everything backed up so I'm not concerned if I lose some data, but I'm sure it will need a new hard drive.

I've been kicking around getting an IPad. Anyone out there have one? Pros/Cons???

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

AAHHH  . . . the season of fall!

I took a cooking class recently . . . Fall Farmers Market Menu

I'm trying a new vegetable I've never tried before. . . Acorn Squash.  The recipe is called Roasted Squash Risotto with Rosemary and Sausage.  Just the name of the recipe reminds me of fall.  And I must say . . . delicious!

Today I traveled with some friends to a local meat market that only processes grass fed/no hormone beef.  I wanted to try it because another friend told me her family didn't care for the taste of it.  She thinks they were just so used to the taste of beef from our local grocery stores.  Anyway, I purchased some beautiful stew meat, some ground beef and a roast.  Very lean looking.  I'm anxious to use it.

On our way home from the meat market we stopped by a local cider press and purchased some non-pasturized cider.  It's delicious!  I make an Apple Honey Pork Tenderloin and use cider as the base so that's on the menu for Sunday dinner tomorrow.

Hope everyone is doing well! What are some foods and/or recipes that remind you of fall?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Gym Membership or not?

Should I invest in a Y membership? My husband just wants to make sure we use it if we make the investment.  I've held off for so long.  Just when I'm ready to make the commitment I wake up in the morning or come home from work so tired and think to myself "I'm glad I don't have the membership because I wouldn't be using it today."  I seem to have more days like that than motivated ones.

What are some fellow blogger experiences with this type of decision?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Change

Life changes.  We change. Don't get so caught up with fact that your life has changed, focus on the change and embrace it. We are not meant to be the same person we were when we were younger.  That's why God created wisdom!  Wisdom comes with change and embracing it.

And if you're not happy with how you are currently, give it some time . . . it WILL change!

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

I love quotes and here are some recent ones that resonated with me.

    Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
    `Soren Kierkegaard

    In youth we learn; in age we understand.
    `Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach

    It's time I start living with the way things are rather than living  the way I wish they were.
    `Olivia Walton


Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

I am officially on vacation from work for one week! I am going to use this time to regroup and refocus . . . again!

I had joined a challenge that started back in April. I didn't finish it.  And I'm OK with that. As I stated in my bio I'm still trying to figure things out especially when it comes to weight and exercise. Challenges really aren't for me.  At least not at this time in my life.  I'm very happy though for those who inspire and create them because they are wonderful support and can really help individuals.  Just wasn't for me. Let's just say when I began to feel guilty because I didn't link in I knew I had to end it.  I carry too much guilt over things that i can't drop.

My favorite movie, well one of my favorite, movies is on.  The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.  A story about 2 women who are feeling really low and down about their lives.  But they are regrouping and learning to refocus again.  Hence why I like it.  It inspires me! And that's what this week will be for me.

What do you do to regroup and refocus when life seems to get "out of whack" for you?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Ramblings from an Analytical Doughnut Eater

Some questions?

1. Did I eat the donuts at work today because . . .

1. They were there and available?
2. I was very hungry and that was the only thing available?
3. I was sad and thought they would make feel better?
4. I don’t know, I just ate them.

Answer: D , I don’t know, I just ate them.

2. Why did I go into the lunch room to get the donut?

1. I was kind of bored when I went in to talk with a co-worker and saw them there.
2. I happened to walk by the lunch room and saw them there and decided to go see what ones were left.
3. Both the above

Answer: C, Both the above (I had 2! One in the morning and one in the afternoon.)

Analysis: When I came to work this morning I was not hungry and food was not on my mind.  Someone came into work and announced that there were donuts and coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts in the lunch room.  Mental note made: I do not need a doughnut, I’m not even hungry. Soon another co-worker stops by to say good morning and says “Did I hear someone say there were donuts in lunch room?”. We talk and I get out my Extra Mint Chocolate Chip gum and tell them, “I don’t want a doughnut, I’ll have this instead.”. And mentally I really don’t desire a doughnut and I’m not hungry.

 

One hour later I walk with another co-worker who is going into the lunch room to get coffee and I follow her in to keep up our conversation. I see the doughnuts. I’m still not hungry and I don’t even think, open up the box, grab a cream stick and begin eating it while we continue our conversation. After thought: Oh crap, why did I do that I wasn’t even hungry.

 

2:30pm: I walk to the rest room and pass the lunch.  As I pass I look in.  I’m not hungry but I see the box of doughnuts sitting there still. I walk into the lunch room and open the box to see what’s left.  Again, I’m not hungry. Some “force” is moving me there and my brain is blank. I don’t see a one that really appeals to me. I actually think this, but I still pick up a sugar coated, jelly filled doughnut and eat it. And I’m not even hungry.

This is scary.  Is this addiction?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Standards Too High?

I was once told in a work evaluation that my standards are too high and  that I needed to lower them.  I was floored by that!  I still am, until lately.  (I wish I had asked my supervisor to specifically explain it.)
The last few weeks I've fallen off the weight loss wagon. My attitude is terrible. I'm numb and it's like I'm in a fog.  I think I should'nt eat like this but I walk calmly into the food light and go do it anyway. There are other areas of my life as well that I do well at and then I fall off the wagon. Socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically I am doing great and then I just  . . .??? In those areas too I feel like I'm on the outside looking in and knowing what should be, but I just can't mentally or physically do it.  I just give up and zone out.

I'm trying to figure out why. With the help of so many great blog reads and various web sites I'm beginning to think about my boss's comment on me. Do I have such high standards, especially on myself, that I just eventually burn out without even realizing it.  Am I so hard on myself that I eventually can't live up, subconciously, to my own standards? Is this why I zone out and then eventually gain strength and start over again only to get burned out again?

The scary thing is I don't know if my standards are too high for myself. I don't see them that way if they are.

Do you set your standards too high?

http://www.life-with-confidence.com/hard-on-yourself.html

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Ho-Hum

Sometimes I feel like I'm just plugging along . . . and that's OK.  In fact it's quite normal and the sooner we realize this the better off we will be  physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Physically: I'm not going to lose 90 lbs in a couple of months.  It's going to take a good year or more to do it healthy and to stay on track in order to keep it off.  There will be ups and downs due to "life".  It happens!

Emotionally: "Life"-it happens.  We're up and we're down.  We're motivated, we're not so motivated.  I recognize I have good days and bad days when it comes to my emotional status and that's OK-it's normal!

Spiritually: I visited a local church Grotto this past week and meditated with each station of the cross.  That, along with a very good homily, made me realize my highs and lows with God.  I can get so discouraged with myself that it over shadows my basis and I forget to just "be" and listen and relax.  There are times when I'm in touch and times when I'm distant because of those "life" things that distract me!

It's OK to be "ho-hum".  It's going to happen.  I will get through it and come out on the other side stronger and better.

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Exercise: A.M. or P.M. ?

The last 2 wks prior I have been exercising! For those of you who don't know my blog well . . . I don't like to purposefully exercise.  But I have committed to an App called C25K with my sister.  It's a training app to build your endurance for running.  Well, I don't run, so my version is a walk version; but none the less I'm doing it and have been faithfully.  And I really thought the weight would really come off.  Well it hasn't . . . until this week.  The only change has been the time of day in which I do it.  My initial 2 wks I exercised in the evening after dinner.  This week I've been doing it in the morning and I'm dropping weight!  I read some quick tips by Dr. Oz and one of his strategies is exercising in the morning.  Supposably revs up metabolism.  I'm beginning to wonder if that is true because it was for me this week unlike the 1st 2 wks and I'm not eating any differently. So . . . .

What has your experiences been?  Do you think working out in early in the day is more beneficial than working out in the evening? 

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Relaxed Rather Than Energized?

Since joining "Ready For Summer Challenge" I've been increasing my walks and exercise routines.  I walk about 10 minutes everyday at work very briskly before lunch. I also started to use a free app. that builds your stamina on the treadmill. What I've noticed is that after these brisk workouts I feel incredibly relaxed. Like just wanting to lay down, take a deep breath and peacefully take a long relaxing nap feeling.  I always thought exercise energized you.  I am NOT an exerciser! I know I should be for health reasons and the obvious healthy weight reason, but I do not particularly like to exercise so this feeling baffles me.  I googled, "why do I feel so relaxed after exercising rather than energized"?  In a word, endorphins I was told.  Which does explain why I'm kind of peaceful and just want to take a deep breath and let the world pass on by feeling!

How do you feel after working out?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Easter Blessings

Have a blessed Easter!

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Reflection Time

Been quiet this week.  Just reflecting I guess.  Sometimes I just need to do that. And holy week is a perfect time of year to re-evaluate and access.  It's a wonderful reminder of what's important and how much God loves me/us.  My body is His temple for the Holy Spirit.

I wonder what I miss out on sometimes because I lack confidence due to my weight.  But I've been thinking lately about what others could be missing out on with me because of how I hold back?  And most importantly, what if God has a certain purpose for me and I'm choosing not to put myself out there because I've decided to be insecure because of my weight?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: One piece of turkey bacon
                  WW smoked prov cheese stick
                  Choc rice cakes
Lunch:     Turkey sandwich
                cantaloupe
                cucumbers
                FFree Choc Pudding
Dinner:   Chicken Enchilada Casserole with FFree Sour Cream
Exercise: Wii and Polka dancing (I'm like Polka music! I can't help but be happy when I listen to it!)

WW Points: 33

Not Perfection . . . Progress

Minding My Weigh: Checkpoints From God

Click on link above when you have quiet time today.

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another!God Bless-Kara Lea

Upbringing Influences

My parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in April and we are celebrating it for them this Saturday.  My sis is home from Florida and the whole family can get together then.  I've been put in charge of doing a collaboration of pictures for the event.  I want to do a nice job and create something on the computer that I can burn CD's for everyone in our immediate family.  That being said . . .

OLD PICTURES

THEN AND NOW

OMGosh!  In junior high I was the awkward, not very thin girl who stayed that way until my sophomore year.  (I won't go in to how I became thin back then-you can only imagine and relate I'm sure), but my Mom was always skinny.  Up until maybe mid-thirties, then she started gaining.  About the time I hit junior high.  My mom is very heavy now and has been for the last 20 years.  Prior to that she did those mid life diets whenever she got down about her weight.  Remember the shake diets in the 80's?  When they scooped this powder stuff out into a glass of water or milk or something-I don't know what she actually did.  Then there was the grapefruit diet thing, the dexatrim diet thing and the whole "I just won't eat" diet thing.  I love my mom, but as I look back I never remember her exercising.  And I always remember her telling me that since she was thin growing up and into her mid life that it didn't really matter anymore if she gained.

My journey of weight loss is not only about the physical but the emotional and spiritual and the mental.  Is this subliminally why I don't feel the need to exercise even though I know it's important.  I view exercise as a chore I don't like to do.  And is the reason I've kept myself heavy for so long based on the proverbial "It's what's on the inside that counts" message I grew up with? 

Do you think your upbringing has influenced your healthy, or lack of healthy, lifestyle? I'm not blaming my Mom-I don't go down that road.  We are our own persons to make our own decisions, but I think I was influenced.  Which scares me because I know it wasn't done intentionally, but what message am I unintentionally sending my daughter about a healthy lifestyle?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Weekend Won!

Usually weekends are my down fall when it comes to diet and exercise but I tell you what . . . the http:/readyforsummerchallenge.blogspot.com has really kept me focused this weekend.

I told a friend about it and she text me on Saturday to meet her at our park Saturday for a walk.  My hubby knows about it and he was real supportive when we went grocery shopping and staying clear of the not so good stuff for us!  And our daughter thinks this whole blog thing is cool!  Every time my phone gets a new email update in regards to it she yells, "Mom, another one of your challenge girls has updated!". (guys too!)

Check out my tab, Before, During & After, for visual updates!  These types of photo progressions really inspired me when I began reading your weight loss journey blogs.  I hope mine will help someone too.  There are so many ways to get inspired to be more healthy and fit.  You never know what may be someones trigger.

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Pleeez Keep Me Accountable!

I started my "Ready for Summer Challenge" this week.  Just like Rebecca over at "I'm Not Who I Once Was . . .", I feel sooo much better in just one week.

My exercise goal is going to be the hardest.  It's a priority thing and one I have to commit wholly to! That's my request to fellow challengers . . . keep me accountable to exercise!  I look forward to receiving lots of inspiration from reading about all of your exercise habits.

I've never done a challenge before, so I'm trying it for the 1st time and am happy to see where it leads me on my  journey in getting healthy.  If you've never tried one before, I encourage you to try this one.  Like I said in my last post-if I can do this, you can do this!

http://readyforsummerchallenge.blogspot.com

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: Egg white omelet, fat free sharp ched

Lunch:     6in. Subway, Turkey with lots of veggies, diet coke

Dinner:   1 thin shake n' bake pork chop
               chicken/broc rice
               low fat cottage cheese

Snack:    WW Raspberry Ice cream bar

Exercise: None :(

If I Can Do This, You Can Do This!

Been a good week so far!  I've been walking during my lunch at work.  Nothing exciting-about 10 minutes worth.  And fast enough that my hiney cheeks quiver after I'm done! LOL But I'm moving!

Getting prepared for the Ready For Summer Challenge starting officially next week.  I'm just telling ya - if I can do this, you can too.  There are so many great people on this daily journey.  We're not alone!

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: Egg White Omlett with Fat Free Sharp Ched Cheese

Lunch:     Chopped Chicken salad, cantaloup, reduced fat triscuits, fat free choc. jello pudding

Dinner:  Hamburger, cottage cheese, cucumbers

Snacks: Apple, Choc mini rice cakes

Exercise: 30 minutes of walking and Wii Just Dance, 3 dances

I read a blog today, http://transparentjoy.blogspot.com/, about "Priorities". I find myself claiming I don't have time to exercise, but what I'm really saying is that exercise is not a priority to me.  Let me show you what I mean.

Self thought:                  "If I have time tonight I'll go for a walk and get some exercise."
  By saying above I really don't feel bad about not going.  It makes it a legitimate exuse.

What I'm really saying: "Going for a walk tonight for some exercise is not a priority to me."
  Oh, now I feel lazy.  Guilty even for not making this an important priority.

It was profound for me.  Thanks for sharing it Joy!  It pushed me to make it a priority this evening.
                                   
Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Ready For Summer Challenge

http://readyforsummerchallenge.blogspot.com

It's time to set your goals for what you wish to achieve in this 10 week challenge. The idea is to pick one goal (or more) in these four categories:

1. Weight loss
2. NSV (Non-Scale Victory)
3. Exercise
4. Nutrition

OK - I'll try it!  I'm a newbie to this challenge thing so administratively please bear with me!  But inspirationally I'm game on!

It's time to set your goals for what you wish to achieve in this 10 week challenge. The idea is to pick one goal (or more) in these four categories:

1. Weight loss:   20 lbs (10wks)
2. NSV (Non-Scale Victory): I want my Dr. to comment about my weight loss come July at my 6 mos. check up
3. Exercise: I don't exercise purposely, so I'd like to begin 2X a week. (Would walking to a store front count if I park my car at the very end of the lot?)Lol 
4. Nutrition: Not blow my calories on the weekends! I struggle on the weekends.

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Do Challenges Work?

I wasn't going to post today, but after going to bed and lying there thinking about the week ahead in regards to my daily journey with weight loss and getting healthier; I couldn't sleep and decided to get back up and write a post.

For inspiration purposes, I did a lot of blog and message board reading this weekend pertaining to individuals on their weight loss and/or exercise journeys.  I discovered a lot of individuals and groups creating various challenges in regards to this subject.  As I lay in bed earlier I thought I should maybe create mini weekly challenges for myself.  Maybe if I succeed with my challenge I won't be so apt to undo all my hard work come the weekend when I usually get sabotaged!

If you've challenged yourself and others, what were they and why did you create the challenge?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

AAHH the Week End!

The weeks seem to be getting longer and longer.  Maybe it's all the warm weather.  But none the less it's easier for me to watch what I eat and am more encouraged to exercise.  What about all of you?  Is it easier to watch when it's warmer outside, nice weather, rather than dreary and cold weather?

Happy weekend Everyone!  We're almost there!

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: Nothing-I know, I know . . .

Lunch:     Egg white omlet with slice of ched. cheese
              cantalope
              ched rice cakes
             crystal lite

Dinner:   Beef, Mash Potatoes and Carrots
              Cottage Cheese
              Water

Snack:   WW English toffee bar
             diet coke

Exercise:  Threw football around with family outside
Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Resisting

The remains of a co-workers birthday sheet cake! I resisted! LOL

Why are some days easier to resist temptations and others forget it-everything beckons my taste buds!

Is it bad to constantly resist? What do you do?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Weekly Dinner Menu

Monday: Turkey Burgers, Brocoli Slaw Salad
Tuesday: Dinner Out with Hubby
Wednesday: Homemade Beef Stew
Thursday: Chicken/Pepper Stir Fry
Friday:    Smoked Turkey Sausage and cooked cabbage

Special St. Patricks Day Dinner with family and friends: Brisket, Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes, Irish Soda Bread

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Losing Weight is a Full-time Job

Long Blog today - sorry:)

I was thinking about the weight I lost late summer last year and the conscious effort it took for me to do so.  I joined Weight Watchers, started tracking and was CONSTANTLY mindful of everything I put into my mouth.  I planned my weeks, weekends, holidays, vacations . . . Then I began following all your awesome blogs that you all share your journeys on.  You inspired me to blog about my journey.  I started to consciously plan exercising.  Looking back and reflecting on it . . . it was a job.  A hard, constant, 24/7 3rd job for me.  Job #1 I work outside the house 40 hrs a week.  Job #2 I'm a wife, a mother, a homemaker. Job #3 Improving and focusing on my physical being.  Some people would think I'm crazy of thinking of "Job" # 3 as a job, but if I don't think of it like that I'll lose my job including the benefits which are healthy weight, healthy body, and healthy being.

When my daughter experienced her medical issue last October I had to quit job #3.  I couldn't mentally or physically keep up with it.  So I quit and lost ALL my benefits.  The weight all came back on and physically I felt bad again.  I did what I needed to do last fall and I don't at all regret the change I had to make in my change in energy direction.  Thank God that my daughter is OK and about a month a ago I blogged "Back in the Saddle Again."  I am once again starting job #3.

Weight loss, exercise, and when I do reach goal weight, maintaining; these are a job to me and I will have to treat it as such.  I don't believe this will ever be second nature or an unconscious effort for me.  I need the benefits!

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Homemade Family Pizza Night

Home made pizza night! We had so much fun as a family! I made whole wheat pizza dough and each of us got a piece of dough to create our own personal pizza!

I stopped by the grocery store's salad bar and picked up just enough toppings of everyone's favorite pizza toppers.  Hubby loves mushrooms and our daughter likes banana peppers.  Also got some onions and bell peppers and grilled chicken pieces.  Everything was already cut up and I had just the right amount for our individual pizzas!

                                           Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: Honey Nut cheerios and OJ
Lunch: Fresh Mozz and bell peppers wrap up/ched rice cakes/apple/diet coke
Dinner: pizza
Snack: cheese stick/WW rasberry ice cream bar

Breakfast:
Cheese stick

Lunch:
Spinach/Garden Veg Cream Cheese wrap
Strawberries
Choc Jello
Crystal lite

Dinner:
Chicken Meatball sub
cottage cheese
macaroni salad
crystal lite

Snack:
None

Exercise:
None

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

This Week's Dinner Plans

Prepared for upcoming week's dinners.  Tried ground chicken for the 1st time.  Made meatballs out of it in a tomato sauce for meatball sub sandwiches Monday night.  Prepared home made pizza dough for Tuesday night.  Thought we could each make our own individual pizzas.  Family can have meat and lots of cheese!  I'm going to make mine pizza margherita.  Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.  Wednesday we're having cabbage rolls and Thursday will be ham slices and green beans.

I am watching my portions and making low calorie choice ingredients when I can.  I can't diet to lose weight.  If I "diet" and lose, when I go off it I'll just gain the weight back.  I need to continue eating foods I'm used to for breakfast, lunch and dinner but watch portions and contents and of course avoid food frenzies!

Thanks everyone for your support!  We're not in this alone.  Your blogs help me sooo much!  Please continue sharing your journeys.

Breakfast:
Honey Nut Cheerios

Lunch:
Cheese Stick
Ranch Wheat Thins

Dinner:
Hamburger/no bun
Corn
Macaroni salad

Snack:
WW Raspberry Ice Cream Bar
Orange Soda

Exercise:
None

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Food Frenzy Lunch

So it's lunch time and I'm alone in the house and I enter the kitchen not really knowing what I want to eat.  I think about how if it were a work day I'd already have the lunch packed and my packed lunch would be my only option.  But here I am with a fridge and pantry full of options and some not so good for me.  So what do I do?  I don't make a good choice.  I end up going all food frenzy. Snack this, taste that . . . and before I know I've made the decision to not track my WW points because I've screwed lunch up.  Why do I do this????????? I tell my self that it's one food frenzy and tomorrow is another day to stay completely on track.  But I still feel horrible about it.

Breakfast:
Multi-Grain Cheerios
1/2 banana

Lunch:  Is this a crazy "lunch" or what, this is what I mean by unstructured!  Just searching around the kitchen for something. . . and it's not like I don't have more healthier choices to choose from.  There could be more to this list, but in a food frenzy I forget all that may grab for to eat.
Wheat thins
Cheese stick
Peanuts
Swiss Roll (couldn't back down today)

Dinner:
Grilled chicken salad
Low fat ranch dressing

Snack:
2 Hershey Air choc bar pieces
diet coke

Exercise:
None
Water

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast:
Egg White/Spinach English Muffin

Lunch:
2 Chicken Tenders
Cheese Stick
Peach sugar free jello

Dinner:
Grilled chicken sandwich
Diet Coke

Snack:
2 cookies
handful of peanuts

Exercise:
No

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Isn't Death a Good Enough Incentive?

I began watching old episodes of "Ruby" on Netflix.  For those of you who don't her, she has (or had) a show on Style Network about being morbidly obese and trying to lose 100s of pound.  She was basically told by her family doctor that she will die young if she does not lose weight.  She is a lovely, vibrant, beautiful woman that exudes southern sweetness.  The type of person that would make you feel good about yourself when you're around her, but she has an eating problem.  On the episode I watched today she made a comment . . . "Why isn't death a good enough incentive for me to lose weight and want to change my habits."  In other words, isn't the possibility of death enough for her to loose all her cravings, hating to exercise, hating to deny herself certain foods.

While I haven't been given the notification that if I don't lose weight I'll die, I have been told I can get off my blood pressure medication and I can avoid early heart disease.  I can live life and not be so tired all the time.  I'll have more energy to enjoy activities I like to do with my family.  My moods will be happier because I will feel better not only physically, but mentally.   I guess in the long run those do pertain to life or death, but why aren't those positives a good enough incentive to make my losing weight easy and a no brainer?  Why?

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus/Spinach Wrap
                 Cheese Stick

Lunch:    Chopped Chicken Salad
               Jello Chocolate pudding
               Strawberries
               Cheddar Rice Cakes
               Diet Coke

Dinner:   BBQ Country Spare Rib
               Sweet Potato
               Water

Snack:   Peach Jello
              1/2 banana
              WW Raspberry Ice Cream Bar

Exercise:  No

Staring down Swiss Rolls

So here I sit literally staring at a package of Swiss Rolls.  It's been a long stressful day . . . everyone is in bed early except me and the dog and I'm contemplating eating a Swiss Roll because I want to.  Because it will make me feel better and it will taste soooooo good.  But instead I log onto WW and find out if I eat 2 Swiss Rolls the points value is 7!  I have 11 points lefts today so I would be within my points, but then I ask myself do I go ahead and eat them because I still have points left or am I really hungry and do I really want them or need them?  The Swiss Roll package went back in the box!  I overcame the desire based on my realization that eating them is not going to perform any miracle for me or fulfill me in any way.  I made a good choice tonight.

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast:
Egg white spinach/Parmesan omelet
OJ

Lunch:
Whole Wheat tortilla/turkey/spinach wrap
Jello pudding
strawberries
triscuits
roasted red pepper hummus

Dinner:
Pizza hut chicken pasta
1 bread stick
salad
diet coke

Snack:
None

Exercise:
None

Breakfast:
2 Eggs
1 C Home Fries
2 pieces of Bacon
1 piece of wheat toast
OJ

Lunch:
Nothing - late breakfast

Dinner:
1 Mini Meat Loaf
1 C Alfred Shredded Potatoes
Applesauce
Water

Snack:
Piece of birthday cake! small though


Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Those darn Girl Scouts!

It's that time of year again!  The cookies I ordered in December and then forgot about . . . just came in and were delivered yesterday.  I only ordered one box and they were my hubby's favorite so I used all restraint getting into them before taking them home to him yesterday after work!  Then this morning I come back to work only to find every type of cookie on the work kitchen counter with a note, "Enjoy your Thursday!"  UGG!  Well, I know I can't deprive myself completely yet, unlike Skinny Hollie, but I only gave in to 2 Tagalongs and then ate an orange for break!  Hang in there all!

Breakfast:
Mcdonalds Sausage Egg McMuffin less the top muffin
OJ

Lunch:
Tortilla, Turkey, Sauerkraut wrap
Light cheese stick
BBQ chips
Strawberries

Dinner:
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Cucumbers

Snack:
Orange
2 cookies

Exercise: Nada

Made WW points though - just barely!
Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

I've heard if do something for 2 weeks straight it will become a natural habit.  I don't believe that pertains to eating habits!  It is conscious thought process EVERY day.

Breakfast: 2 slices of deli turkey
                 cheese stick

Lunch:    Turkey, spinach wrap
               7 reduced fat triscuits
                jello chocolate pudding

Dinner:   1 toasted cheese

Snack:    popcorn

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast: Fit n' Light Vanilla yogurt with multi-grain cheerios

Lunch:    Grilled chicken salad
                Water

Dinner:   Big Mac (sorry)
               Diet Coke

Snack:    Snack bag Lay's potatoe chips

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Happy Valentine's Day!

Breakfast: Egg McMuffin and OJ

Lunch:      Chicken/Strawberry salad
                  Water

Dinner:     Potato Ched Soup
                 Chicken/Cranberry salad
                 Water

Snack:     Don't ask!  Being Valentine's Day everyone at work brought goodies in!

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Back in the saddle!

To make a long story short . . . here's where I've been for the last 3 mos.

Our 11 year old daughter broke her arm rollerskating for the 1st time.  Upon her visit to our local emergency room, x-rays found a large tumor that ran the entire length of the ulna bone that broke-which was a very bad break.  But after much testing, and testing and testing - it is believed to be benign!  The break is completely healed, but we continue to monitor the tumor.  She is still growing and her orthopedic oncologist doesn't want to disturb her growth plates by doing surgery or anything right now.  So we continue to have it monitored, but it's sounds like all will be fine!

Going through all of that and then the holidays . . . well let's just say my weight has crept back up and then some.  So here I go again, back in the saddle losing weight for good. 

Life is best lived by focusing on one day at a time.

Make one good choice today, it can lead to another! God Bless- Kara Lea

Breakfast:
1 piece banana bread
OJ

Lunch:
Cold veggie pizza
applesauce
cheddar rice cakes
diet 7up

Dinner:
Small cheese burger
carrot sticks
water

Snack:
3 hershey kiss