First Goal...DONE!

It's official!  I made it to 25 pounds today...actually 25.4!  I could not have achieved this goal without this blog and the support of all of you.  I have never lost so much weight before without paying a lot of money to someone else to help me.

The exercise is still on the slow side.  I am walking when I can, but other forms of exercise have been difficult, especially because of another health issue that I have, which is chronic hives.  They get worse with warmth, so many forms of exercise are just too much for me right now.  I am still looking forward to Zumba and Hot Yoga in 2011!

I have already set up my future goals, which are small and hopefully, achievable.  First, to stay at the 25 pound loss throughout the holiday season!  My future goal is to lose 5 pounds per month starting in January for 5 months.  That should get me to my 50 pound goal and at that point I will have all of my bloodwork done.  I have only been able to achieve the success that I have so far because of the small goals that I have set for myself.

My mom has lost 13 pounds and Jim...well I do not ask.  I think he needs to re-read all of the blog posts and get back with the program!

RECIPE:  Stuffed Green Peppers
Start out with 4 large green peppers or any color pepper would be fine, if you want some variety.
You will also need to mix the following ingredients in a large bowl: 2 pounds of a ground lean meat (beef, pork, turkey), 1 can cannellini beans (undrained), 1 onion finely diced, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs, garlic salt, pepper and oregano.
Stuff the green peppers with your mixture from the bowl and place in a crock pot (liners are wonderful for easy clean-up) and pour 1 can tomato sauce over the peppers.  Also, I added some Mrs. Dash regular spice to the top of the peppers.
Heat in crock pot on low while you are at work or play and hours later, enjoy your healthy stuffed green peppers for a complete meal in one pot.

Long Overdue Update!

As most of you know, I made it through the Thanksgiving weekend Florida trip in great shape.  I actually lost a pound while on vacation.  I went for a walk every morning that we were there and it was so nice that I was able to wear shorts and a tank top.  I did the grocery shopping the first day we were there and made all of the right choices.  My sister-in-law had also left some wonderful egg beater quiches for us in the freezer.  As for Thanksgiving, I didn't eat any of the starches that usually accompany the traditional Thanksgiving meal.  I did have one tiny spoonful of the sweet potatoes that my mom had made though.  It really wasn't that hard!  My wonderful sister-in-law made some South Beach deviled eggs for an appetizer and pumpkin mousse for dessert so that I wouldn't be tempted by the original pumpkin pie.  Also, NO ALCOHOL THE WHOLE WEEKEND!

As of today, I have lost 23 pounds!  2 pounds left to my goal of 25 before Christmas.  This time will include another trip to Florida and I found a fitness place near my mom's condo that offers drop-in classes, so I will probably go to some of those this trip too.  As for the exercise, I am planning to take it up a notch this week.  I have taped a Zumba class on TV and I am going to see if that is a good fit for me before I actually attend a class.  I am also going to attempt "Hot Yoga" this week.  I also need to use the weight machines at school this week as I am starting to see flab.  WOW, this sounds tiring, maybe only one of those this week.  I need to set reasonably achievable goals for myself.

I need to go see my Dr. this week for another issue and I am actually excited to go in.  I hope he will be happy with my progress.  Once again, thank you to all of my family and friends who have been supporting me through this process and life change.  I can never tell you in words how grateful I have to have all of you in my life!  Also, to date my mom has lost 13 pounds and Jim, well he didn't do too bad having spent the last 2 weeks in Florida.  I won't throw him under the bus at this point.

Mission Accomplished!

I did it!  As of this morning, 20.2 pounds.  Not a moment even to spare as we are leaving for Florida tonight at 9 p.m.  The next goal is to NOT gain any weight over the weekend and of course do lots of walking and swimming!  I am taking dietary precautions to avoid any weight gain while in Florida.  I am so motivated right now that I can't even imagine eating something really bad, because I feel like I would actually feel guilty.  The small goal by Christmas is another 5 pounds. For those of you who are wondering...there is a long-term goal of 50 pounds by the end of the school year, June 17, 2011.
Happy Thanksgiving!  There is much to be thankful for and remember to look for the miracles...they are always there.

Stuck!

One week later and still stuck at 19!  3 more days until Florida and I need to get that pound off before I go.  I am getting frustrated with no weight loss this week.  I guess the answer is to cut out the carbs again, the 2 I have per day, and up the protein.  Walking will be on the weekend's menu too.  I can't wait to walk in Florida through my mom's lovely condo complex.  It is beautiful there and will be so inspiring.

Give me some love and encouragement people...I need it!

Good News!

This morning I hit 19 POUNDS!  1 more to go to hit my goal of 20 before I leave for Florida, which is on November 23...no problemo! 

I went over to a friends house this morning and had him check my glucose level (thank you for pricking me twice Harvey Hose lol) and it was 100...down from 132, 5 weeks ago!

Thank you again to all of my friends and family for your continued support.  I am on a mission with little goals that are achievable.  Update...my mom has lost 10 pounds and Jim has lost 20.5 pounds.  Way to go family!

Week 4 Almost Done

First, thank you for all of the support that everyone has been giving me.  It really does help in the process.  As of today,  I am 16.6 pounds less than I was 4 weeks ago.  I am so focused on the actual food components of the diet that I have not been motivated in the exercise department.  I am walking, but the day is coming soon when I must burn those calories and tone up this flab!

Recipe of the Week:  Crustless Pizza mmmm!

Use a pizza tray or stone and line it with aluminum foil to start.  Preheat oven to 350.

Crust-Brown 2 pounds of lean ground beef or ground turkey.  In a large bowl, mix the cooked meat with 2 packages of low-fat or fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese. Spread onto pan in the shape of a pizza.

Add sugar-free pizza or spaghetti sauce, 2 more packages of the cheese and your favorite low-fat or veggie toppings.  We had lots of veggies and turkey pepperoni for some added spice.

Bake for 30 minutes.  The best part is that it is super filling!

3 Weeks Down!

3 weeks down and as of this morning...14.6 pounds!  We did a lot of walking this weekend and went to a Halloween Party last night.  Yes, the party was loaded with adult beverages and very bad appetizers and desserts.  Guess what...I wasn't tempted in the least!  I had 2 Coke Zero's, 3 pieces of cheese with some hummous dip and 2 spoonfuls of Mexican chili.  I DID NOT have any of those tortilla chips or pieces of bread that usually go with such dips.

What is amazing to me is that I do not want to cheat at all and the more weight I lose, the less desire for bad foods I have.  I DO MISS pizza and cookies the most though.

Also, I can't leave the rest of my family out.  My mom has lost 9 pounds and Jim has lost 14 pounds.  Stephen is enjoying the walks and the healthy dinners.  It really helps to be doing all of this as a family!

Tough Week!

Hello Friends!


This week has been a tough one, but as of yesterday morning...12 pounds down!  I did a mile of walking yesterday and hope to do a lot more this weekend.  I really feel good and anxious to do more exercise, but I am so tired when I get home from work that it is a struggle.  I think my school needs an after school workout group for the adults who really don't like to do hard core workouts.  I am going to try Zumba in Plymouth soon!

Today's recipe - Skinnygirl Julie Chicken Cordon Blue

Take chicken breast and slice it to make 2 thin layers...lengthwise.  Place a piece of low sodium, low fat boiled ham on top, a slice of low fat Swiss cheese and roll it up.  Hold together with one tooth pick.  Dip the chicken rolls in one egg/ 1 tbsp. margarine whipped and then roll in grated Parmesan cheese.  Place in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes.  DELICIOUS!

I DID IT!

Today was the most difficult day on this journey so far.  The good thing is that I made it!  I packed a bag full of everything that I could eat and it worked out so well.  NO chicken dinner with noodles, mashed potatoes, bread sticks and chocolate cake for dessert.  I did eat in separate room than my student council kids, but that was for the best.  I didn't have to make them feel uncomfortable.  NO problem at Pizzeria Uno either.  I promptly ordered a grilled chicken salad and then the manager brought over a roasted vegetable pizza.  I scraped off the vegetables and cheese and left the entire crust.  Then came the most difficult part of the day...warm chocolate chip cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream was the dessert served.  I did not give in to temptation.

By the way, the kids that the other Livonia advisors and I took on the field trip were awesome!  It was also a plus to discuss the South Beach Diet with the director of the conference.  We talked about our food choices and struggles it was great!  Thanks Todd.

We walked a lot at the outlet mall and I finally bought a pair of comfortable walking shoes.  I can't wait to try them out tomorrow!  Thank you to the wonderful LPS advisors Jen Esparza and Karla Halvangis for helping me stay focused on the diet, encouraging me, and helping me shop for shoes.

Frankenmuth Tomorrow

Well, I am all set to go to the conference in Frankenmuth tomorrow with my Senators.  Complete with the Chicken Lunch and Pizza Buffet at Pizzeria Uno at Birch Run.  Sounds good doesn't it?  I have my breakfast and lunch bag all packed.  I think I will have a salad instead of the pizza buffet. 

By the way, tomorrow starts one whole grain and one fruit each day for a week.  I can't believe that I made it through the entire 2 weeks without a piece of bread, pasta, potatoes and rice.  It really is a life adjustment and a lot of planning, but it will all be worth it in a few months.  I feel my life changing!

I didn't do any real exercise today, but I went up and down the large hill next to our garage and didn't feel the least bit tired.  YEAH!

Went to the Movies

I feel like I am in therapy and being asked to journal my feelings.  Well...I guess I am. My name is Julie and I am a carbohydrate addict.  I am 12 days clean! 

Stephen and I took a 20 minute walk today with 2 dogs tugging us all the way.  What a workout!  It felt good, but I realized that I need a good pair of walking shoes.  Any suggestions?

We went, as a family, tonight to the movies.  We saw Social Network.  Excellent movie!  It felt funny not to be eating my large tub of popcorn and drinking a diet coke.  In fact, we had nothing but the gum in our mouths.  Jim said that he thought it was the first time EVER that he had been to see a movie and not eaten popcorn.  Me too I think?

Thanks for your interest and support everybody!

October 23, 2010

Welcome to my new blog.  I thought that I would share my journey to a healthier me with all of you.  On October 7, I received devastating news from my primary care physician.  My bloodwork had come back bad and my blood pressure was way too high at the time of my visit.  I am DIABETIC, have HIGH CHOLESTEROL and now on the verge of HYPERTENSION.  This visit was a big wake up call and on Monday, October 11, I started the South Beach Diet.  My doctor suggested the diet as a starting place along with an increase in my physical activity.

My goal with starting a blog is to keep myself on track and to share this journey with people that I care about.  As of today, I am on Phase 1 of the diet and have had no carbohydrates since October 10.  I do have a little creamer with my coffee in the morning, but other than that no carbs or fruit.  I HAVE LOST 11 POUNDS TO DATE!  In 2 days, I will begin Phase 2 and at that point I will be allowed 1 whole grain carb and 1 fruit a day for 7 more days.

I have walked a few times, but I feel tired most of the time so the exercise has been a struggle.  My family has been so supportive and helpful.  Jim, my husband and my mother Judy are on the diet also.  My mom and I search weekly for new recipes and do meal planning together.  Stephen, my son, is doing the dinner portion with us and enjoys his snacks.

Skinnygirl Julie Dessert

Butterscotch Mousse -  made with sugar-free, fat-free pudding and lite cool whip.