Kim

Wednesday weight in

2010-07-29T13:11:00.001-05:00

I weighed in at 160 pounds.

Peace

Eat Clean

2010-07-27T13:32:00.002-05:00

I started reading The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged! by Tosca Reno.

Tosca Reno's book has a gluten free meal plan. Yes!

I walked 3 miles this morning for one hour.

This is just a quick update, I have to run and eat... every 2-1/2 hours.

Weigh in Wednesday!

Peace

24 hour bug

2010-07-09T12:25:00.005-05:00

I woke up yesterday with a stomach ache, which turned into diarrhea and fever. I had no energy and my body ached. I took Benadryl first because I thought I had eaten some wheat and was having an allergic reaction. After a couple of hours there was no change so I took Theraflu, ibuprofen, and warm Sierra Mist with ginger.

Today I am almost 100%.

I lost 3 pounds. This was not a good way to lose it, but 3 pounds are 3 pounds.

I have to admit I have been drinking a lot more water. It's probably because I am dehydrated.

Wednesday (7/7) planned to walk 2-3 miles but didn't I used rain as an excuse, even though I have a treadmill. Hmm...

I really need to stay motivated if I want to see results.

Not sure if I will walk today... if I do it will be a very short walk. I don't want to go through this again! Arrgh

Peace

We fall down...

2010-07-06T11:42:00.005-05:00

"We fall down but we get up."

I had ballooned up to 167 pounds. I have been walking at least 1 mile three times a week. I think I llike the number 163 because I seem to hang out there a lot.

145 pounds is still my goal.

Motivation is still an issue for me. I have teamed up with my friend Les. She is a little ball of energy. I love walking with her because she pushes me beyond my comfort zone. When I can see results fast it motivates me to work harder.

I want to be 150 by September 1.

Monday (7/5) walked 3.6 miles in 68 minutes.

Peace

Wednesday weigh in

2010-03-03T11:25:00.001-06:00

163

Peace

Wednesday Weigh in

2010-02-17T22:29:00.000-06:00

163

Peace

Wesnesday weigh-in is back...

2010-01-27T12:28:00.007-06:00

I weighed in @ 165 pounds...

I gained 5 pounds from overeating...

I also have a lot of bloat from falling off the wagon... I ate wheat on several occasions... My family went on a Domino's pizza binge... A hot dog binge... I was tempted by the smell of the pizza and the hot dog buns... I could not control the craving...I broke down... I ate a slice of pizza, a hot dog with bun, and a peanut butter sandwich.

I paid for it... I have been suffering from constipation and bloat for three weeks now... I was miserable for three weeks.

I received a "shake weight" for my birthday... Fitness Magazine reviewed the "shake weight" and found it to be promising... I asked my kids to get it for my birthday and my husband surprised me with it... I can feel the burn in my arms and in my core... I am excited again about yet another exercise gadget...

Well I am off to a good start and will be checking in next Wednesday...

PEACE

NO EXCUSES...

2010-01-10T14:43:00.001-06:00

'NUFF SAID...

PEACE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-04T16:24:00.005-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Have you made your resolutions?

I decided not to make any this year because I never keep them.

When I decided to change my lifestyle that was the resolution for the rest of my life.

I have made some positive changes and I am still working on changing some old nonproductive habits.

I started 2009 weighing in @ 169.

I have been up and down all year long.

I keep reminding myself that I didn't get this big over night and I am not going to lose all the weight over night.

I am working on stress relief and a positive attitude.

I have been having lower back pain and pain in my joints. I thought the joint pain was caused by the wheat I was eating.

However, I have not eaten wheat in a year or so...unless I have gotten it without knowing...which I could have, because wheat is in everything...I mean EVERYTHING.

To combat the pain I have started doing Yoga again... I started with Yoga for back and abs... I will be adding more Yoga after a few weeks...I understand Yoga not only helps with my physical body but it helps relieve stress and improve mental clarity.

I seem to attract people with negative attitudes who are beat up by stress and worry.

They come into my life vomit all over me... then they feel better...you know how it is when you are sick to your stomach... your mouth is filling with saliva...your stomach is heaving and after you vomit you feel a since of relief.

Well that is all good for the person vomiting but I am left to clean up the stinking foul slimy chunks of vomit they left behind.

This year is a ME Year...for over 16 years I have been taking care of everyone else and forgetting to take care of me.

Oh yeah, I am still weighing in @160 so this is good...I have 20 more pounds to lose to reach goal weight.

I am excited about 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
PEACE

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T22:25:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas
&
Happy Holidays

Love and Peace

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

2009-11-26T14:32:00.002-06:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

Try not to overeat... pace yourself.

I am thankful to be alive...

Make today and everyday a happy day...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace

Just checking in...

2009-11-09T19:56:00.006-06:00

This weigh in is for 11/2/2009...

I usually weigh in every other Wednesday, but I felt like I had reached the 160 mark and I was right.

AcaiBerry Diet has helped me get down to 160 pounds. I have not had any adverse side effects.
The only thing I would say is that it has kept me "regular"...
This is a plus for me because of all the gastrointestinal issues I have had with crack (Wheat)...

I have lost 5 pounds in about 56 days...and kept it off
That isn't a lot but Rome wasn't built in a day and I didn't gain 50 pounds in a day...week...month...or Year!

I have been exercising more... even with mild back and neck pain... maybe that is keeping the weight off.

I am motivated again and ready for the Holidays...

I need to start pulling out the gluten-free and wheat-free recipes... My DD is already planning to make my mother's Lemon Meringue' Pie... Uhmm so good... makes my mouth water just talking about it... Maybe I will try it Chebe mix for the crust....

Bring the Holidays on... I ain't"'skcurd"...Crack (wheat) will not have me singing the blues this Holiday season... Bring it on...

So after 50 days or so of taking AcaiBerrry Diet I give it 2 thumbs up and 5 stars out of 5...

Peace

Wednesday Weigh in

2009-10-28T22:57:00.003-05:00

162.5

That is the number for this week.

Looking good I am still losing. I am still taking AcaiBerry diet and I have not had any bad side effects.

I do not have any photos of weigh in... sorry.

I will have photo update next week.

My friend has not been taking AcaiBerry diet on the regular basis so I do not have a report from her.

I have spoken to a couple of people about giving up bread and wheat products and I hear they have been losing inches. They have noticed their clothes fit a little loser.

Good luck to them I hope this will be a good jump start to a successful weight loss journey.

I am actually looking forward to my next weigh in...

Yeah me!

Thanks for stopping by...

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2009-10-14T11:49:00.003-05:00

167

This weeks number is 167 lbs.

I can handle it... I am bloated and I know why and I am okay with that. I woke up this morning to stiff and swollen fingers. I knew it was not going to be a good weigh-in. I am going to start back drinking my water and lay off the salt. Some times I just have a craving for salty foods. I know for me that is a sign I am not drinking enough water. I have been dehydrated with dry lips and dry itchy skin and scalp... so bring on the water.

At least I know why I went up in pounds... it's all good...it's correctable.

Peace

Wednesday Weigh-in

2009-09-30T18:21:00.002-05:00

164 lbs

I weighed in @ 164 lbs...

I have been sick with a head cold for the last week...

I have not been taking the AcaiBerry Diet because I have been taking Sudfed, Advil, Mucinex, and vitamin C. I forgot about the AcaiBerry Diet...

I have been drinking orange juice like it was the antidote to the common cold. I know I have read some where taking orange juice helps shorten the duration of a cold...

Well I did not eat much in the last 10 days... just swallowed a lot of orange juice.

Maybe that is why I did not have a major increase or decrease in weight...

All my friend and family keep telling me I look like I have lost weight... the scale still says 164 lbs.

I measured myself and it shows I have lost an inch to a forth of a inch here and there.

As of today I have started back on the AcaiBerry Diet...

How much weight will I lose in the next 45 days or so?

How many inches will I lose in the next 45 days?

Will AcaiBerry Diet be a winner or a loser?

Tune in next week for the answers to these intreguing questions and more...

Same channel, same station.

Peace

Wednesday Weigh-in

2009-09-16T16:29:00.004-05:00

Hmm...164 lbs

I don't know if it is the AcaiBerry Diet or the 4.5 miles I walked yesterday. I would count cutting the grass this morning but I have been doing that all along and have not seen much weight loss from it.

I can say that I do feel a little more energized. I am also taking Bee Pollen...1/2 tsp a day.

I am working on increasing my water intake. My dear friend bought me a H2O mini jug to help get me started. It holds 18 oz or 540 ml. I am downing my first 18 oz now... I have about 80 oz to go. If you know me forget exercise... drinking that much water is the challenge of the day!

Well I am off to a great start... Sunday will be a full week taking the AcaiBerry Diet. I will check back in Sunday.

Oh yeah... on Tuesday I walked over 5135 steps. After I walked the 4.5 miles I took the pedometer off and forgot to put it back on. So I am not sure of my total steps for that day.

I know I should wear it everyday. I keep losing them. then I buy another one and the lost one will show up. So I now have about 10 pedometers. My DH thinks I collect them...he also thinks I hoard things. I don't hoard... I just have clutter issues, which I am trying to resolve with the help of Flylady .

Tata for now....

Peace

AcaiBerry Diet

2009-09-14T12:25:00.006-05:00

I started taking Natrol's "AcaiBerry Diet" on Saturday September 12. I am going to take it for 2 months and see what results I get. I take 2 caplets in the morning with breakfast.

According to the ingredients it has:

Chromium Picolinate 40 mcg
Acai Extract 4:1 500 mg
Green Tea Extract 160 mg
EGCG 80 mg
Metabolic Activator Caffeine Blend 100 mg
Berry Digest Enzyme Blend 5 mg

I am also taking 2 softgels of Spring Valley "Natural Wild Harvested Acai". 2 softgels contain 1 g (1,000 mg) of Acai Extract.

I weighed in @ 165 on Wednesday September 9.

There is nothing in either of these supplements that would cause adverse effects like ephedrine. I might have to watch the caffeine because I have had adverse effects in the past.

I think the digestive enzymes that are in the formula are very good. But there might not be enough to produce good results.

If this works great... and if not, it is still an excellent antioxidant.

Peace

Last Days of Summer

2009-09-07T10:23:00.003-05:00

Have a Safe Labor
Day!

Peace

Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

2009-09-04T12:20:00.004-05:00

Here is my gluten-free peach cobbler recipe. It looks great and has very good flavor...

However, the inner layers of dough were a little too "gummy" or "doughy". I plan on baking the three inner layers before I begin to alternate dough and peaches layers next time. So here is my original recipe. After making it with adjustments I will post that recipe.

Gluten-free Peach Cobbler

4- 15-16 oz. cans of peaches
2 Tbs lemon juice concentrate
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 cup sugar
1 package "Che`be`" all purpose bread mix
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
2 eggs
2 Tbs oil or softened butter or margarine
5 Tbs milk or milk substitute or water

Preheat oven 400*
Place peaches with juice from only 2 cans into a saucepan over medium heat and discard juice from remaining cans. Add lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and sugar. Taste mixture and add additional ingredient to taste. Stir and bring to a boil. Once mixture boils lower heat to low and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Prepare "Che`be`" all purpose mix stirring in cream of tartar to dry ingredients and continue according to package instructions. Separate dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough to fit into deep baking dish. Line the deep baking dish with first piece of rolled out dough. Spoon peach mixture on top of first dough layer. Continue to alternate dough/peach layers ending with dough on top. Sprinkle with 2 tbs of sugar on top and bake for 25- 30 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

Peach Cobbler is a personal thing and there are many different recipes out there. If you have a favorite Peach Cobbler recipe which you can no longer enjoy because of the all purpose flour (wheat) try substituting Che`be` all purpose mix. Just follow the rest of the recipe as usual.

Peace

Wednesday Weigh-in

2009-08-19T09:30:00.002-05:00

165

This is the number for the day...

I walked yesterday with friends. Yes I am feeling it, I have not walked in over a month. I walked 10695 steps. Thanks to my friends who pushed me and encouraged me to keep going . I wanted to stop several times. I made it and felt very good about it.

Peace

Weigh in...

2009-08-08T16:43:00.003-05:00

I weighed in at 165 on August 5, 2009...

I am losing again!

I checked out some books from the public library: "Superfoods For Dummies", "Neo Soul", "The Sensitive Gourmet" and a couple of others. I am hoping to get some great recipes and tips that will help me with eating healthy and food allergy-free.

I have had a little stress in the last couple of weeks. So I started doing some Yoga and other stress relieving activities. How long does it take before you see improvement!? Hmm...

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with life and even other peoples lives, to the point of literal shut down. My friends and family have to keep reminding me to take extra time for myself, so I do not burn out.

Well I am on vacation starting today.

This week our family will be celebrating several family member's birthdays and enjoying some well deserved down time. I am looking forward to tossing back a couple of glasses of wine, margaritas, guacamole and chips.

I am grateful to God that my brother is well and healthy, God bless you boo!

I am happy to be alive and well myself, and on my way to a healthy lifestyle.

Today I am grateful for all good things that flow my way and overtake me.

Love and Peace

Pita/Flat Bread

2009-08-07T20:35:00.004-05:00

Tapioca and rice flour pita/flat bread recipe

1 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup white rice flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
1 tbs oil
1 egg
water

Mix all dry ingredients into a bowl. Add oil and egg mixture will be crumbly. Mix in water with hand until mixture is a pastry dough consistency. Divide into balls which are slightly larger than a golf ball. Flatten with hand and heat in a lightly oiled skillet. heat until lightly browned about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Enjoy!

Peace

Chebe Bread

2009-07-18T22:34:00.005-05:00

www.chebe.com

I have been searching for some good tasting gluten/wheat free products and I found a brand I like. I have been reading about Chebe products and searching for it in my local health food and grocery stores.

Today I finally found it at one of my local health food stores. The funny part is I called them several days ago to ask if they carried the product. The young man I spoke with told me he had never heard of it and if I wanted it I would have to place an order with a manager. Well to my surprise I found it today... in the very store which had never heard of it.
Go figure...

It is really simple to make...

Set oven to 375^o F.

With a fork or dough mixer, blend contents in a bowl with 2 tbsp. oil and 2 eggs. (Optional: Add 100g of grated Parmesan cheese.) Add 4 Tbs. (60 ml) milk or liquid milk substitute while continuing to blend.
After dough is blended, knead it with hands. Work dough until it is well blended and smooth. If too dry, add more liquid 1 tsp. at a time.
Flatten dough with a rolling pin to about 1/16" (1-2 mm). Place dough on a non-greased baking/pizza pan. Poke surface with tines of a fork.
Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes. If puffed, remove and flatten with fork. Bake for additional 10-15 minutes or until ligthly browned. Remove, add toppings and bake until they are warmed.

Directions courtesy of the the back of the package...LOL

My toppings were Prego three cheese spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. It tasted delicious.

I would rate it 5 stars out of 5.

I plan on trying more of their products. They carry several dry mixes; Original Chebe Bread Mix, All Purpose Bread Mix, Foccaia Mix, Pizza Crust Mix, Garlic-Onion Breadstick Mix,and Cinnamon Roll-Up Mix.

Oven ready frozen dough mixes; Frozen Rolls, Bread Sticks, Tomato-Basil Breadsticks, Pizza Crusts, and Sandwich Buns.

The site also has recipes for crab rolls, cinnamon crackers, sausage calzones, and chicken and dumplings. They have many other recipes which sound very appetizing.

The price was very appealing also, $2.99 for the Pizza dry mix.

Koodles to Chebe Bread Products!

I am still working on the weight-loss. I have not lost any weight... Urgh!

However... I have not gained any weight...yep yep!

I am hanging out around 169 pounds.

I got some motivation back by watching "smile2daytears2morro" on youtube.

She motivated me to do some pushups...

I can do this thing!

Peace

RIP Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T18:47:00.003-05:00

Love Peace and God's Blessings

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T23:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day!

Love and Peace

Whistle Stop

2009-06-18T21:58:00.006-05:00

www.clipartheaven.com

I am back from my nephew's high school graduation.

We took a train through 4 states.

I had not been on a train in 20 years and it was an experience. It was over 22 hours from point A to point B. The car ride would have taken about 19 hours.

Going down to my brother's house was not so bad but the ride back was interesting to say the least. We rode 20 hours without air-conditioning. That is, our section of the train and only our section of the train did not have air-conditioning. It was so hot I felt like I had stepped out of a swimming pool with all my clothes on. I was wet from my head to my toes. The people in the front part of our train car along with the other cars had so much air conditioning they would come to our section just to warm up. The people in our section would go to the observation deck and lounge to get air.

The sad part about all this was the lack of costumer service by the engineer, conductors and porters. They kept apologizing for being late for dinner reservations and not having a credit card machine but not once did they apologize to the passengers in the sweat box. The man who ran the lounge car refused to give us extra ice which we Had to purchase a drink in order to get the da** cup of ice in the first place.

It was so sad I had to laugh in order to keep from crying.

When I finally got home I felt like I had sweated off 10 pounds. To my surprise when I weighed myself, I had lost about 5 pounds!

Well I enjoyed myself during my trip to see my brother and family. I am proud of my nephew, who graduated in the top 10 of his high school class of over 600 graduates. Leaving my brother and family was bitter sweet. I miss them so much it was hard to say goodbye.

Hey bro and sis if you are reading this thanks again for your hospitality.

Then again it was time to get back to the DH, I was missing him.

Peace

Weight Frustration and Workout Motivation

2009-05-22T10:47:00.003-05:00

I have been so frustrated this last month its not even funny.

I have been hanging out with a friend who I had not seen in months and she has lost so much weight. She looks good! I have watched, listened and become motivated by her. She usually works out twice a day. She will do strength training in the morning and then do cardio at night... I am lucky if I do anything day or night.

In the last 2 weeks I have gotten on my treadmill twice walking and a little running for a total of about 2.5 miles. I always feel better afterward but it is too easy for me to just not do it.

It is so sad because I get motivated to work out but fail to follow through. Like yesterday I dressed for walking and talked about it all day to just about everyone I saw. My friend even came over and was like "well let's just go walking now around your neighborhood" I made some lame excuse and didn't go, didn't get on treadmill either. She kept telling me to go work out while she hung out but I didn't.

My kids are always encouraging me to workout. they keep reminding me why I bought the WII Fit... it is funny when I first bought the WII Fit I was so excited for about a month. Then I got upset because I didn't see my weight decrease. I kept telling myself I was gaining muscle. I think I may be expecting overnight results.

Well in this fast food, fast pace world why would I expect to workout on Monday and lose 5 pounds on Tuesday.

This is so stupid because I feel so much better when I work out but it is so hard to get started.

URGH!

I am going to lose this last 30 pounds, and I am going to keep it off!

Yes I can!

PEACE

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T19:39:00.006-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all...

I am having a great day with more great days to follow...

I got wonderful gifts...

My family made dinner... Bar-B- que

Simcity Box... one of my faves

PRINCE "Lotusflow3r", that is if you are really into his purple badness...

sniggle giggle

Hugs and kisses to my wonder-lishous family!

Peace

Red Rose

2009-04-27T14:04:00.003-05:00

OMG LOL

I finally finishes this Red Rose. It took me several months but it was worth it. Now I keep looking at it saying I need to fix this brighten that and darken it over here. I kept painting and re-painting until I just decided to hang it on the wall and be done for now. I figure it will hang for a couple of months and I will fix the things I still feel need to be fixed.

DH wants a picture of Sly Stone so I guess I will get to work on that.

Peace

Wednesday weigh in

2009-03-25T16:29:00.003-05:00

169.5 pounds

I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries.
- Theodore Rubin, "Love Me, Love My Fool"

Weigh-in for Flat Belly Diet

2009-03-12T11:14:00.004-05:00

After being on the 4 day Anti-bloat portion of the Flat Belly Diet, I weighed in @164.5.

I lost another pound.

I lost 1/2 inch in the waist and 1/4 inch in the chest. I gained 1/2 inches in the arms, calves and neck. No change in the hips and thighs.

I will stick this diet out.

This is day 5 and I have 27 days to go.

I will post results on Wednesdays...

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2009-03-11T18:29:00.003-05:00

I weighed in@165.5.

Thank you Flat Belly Diet!

Wow a 4.5 pound loss in 4 days, well not 4 complete days.

I will weigh and measure myself tomorrow morning to see what the numbers are. I don't expect a big difference in weight. I am excited to see what my measurement will be. I think I have lost inches because my clothes feel better.

The last 3 and a half days have been a roller coaster ride. The first day of this diet started out a breeze. It ended with me feeling hungry and unsatisfied. I do have to admit that I did not drink a full recipe of Sassy water each day like I was suppose to.

The next day I wasn't starving but I wasn't as full as I usually feel. I began bleaching on the second day. I guess this was the anti-bloat working. I did drink more of the Sassy water. and I felt fuller in between meals.

My third day was a day filled with elation and frustration. I was on a high because I could feel the difference in my jeans. However, I have to admit that I felt a little light headed between lunch and dinner. After drinking about 16 ounces of Sassy water I felt better. So I think drinking the Sassy water is the trick to not feeling like I was on empty.

The forth day is almost over and I have to say it hasn't been a bad 4 day diet. I do feel like it eliminated a lot of bloat.

I need more than 1200 calories a day!

I need to drink more water!

I did not exercise at all and still have lost 4.5 pounds so far.

I have the rest of today and 28 more days to go. I am happy with the results so far...

Yeah me

"To follow, without halt, one aim: There's the secret of success."
-Anna Pavlova

Peace

Flat belly diet day 1

2009-03-08T23:11:00.003-05:00

I made it through day 1 of the initial 4 days of the Flat Belly Diet. This is the four day anti-bloat portion of this diet. My total daily calories for these days is 1200. Then I will move up to 1600.

I am drinking this "Sassy water". It is lemons, cucumbers, mint leaves, and ginger mixed with water. It taste better than it sounds, even my kids said it doesn't taste as bad as it sounds. I am suppose to be downing 2 liters a day. This may be the hardest part. I normally drink about 8- 16 ounces of water every 2 days. Water is all I can drink... ugh.

I have to tell you, after eating breakfast and lunch I was pretty satisfied. I felt full and did not want to eat more. However, dinner and the smoothie (snack) has left me wanting more. I so plan on drinking the rest of the "Sassy water" and going to bed.

I can't believe I feel like I am starving right now. I actually feel like I am on a fast of sorts. I thought 1200 calories would be a breeze.

Oh yeah I weighted in @170...rut roh

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
-Charles Haddon Spurheon

Peace

Gluten free doughnuts and buns

2009-03-03T20:02:00.005-06:00

I made an attempt at gluten free doughnut holes and they actually turned out good. The next time I have a craving for doughnut holes I will just make me some...He he Ha ha

Now let's talk about the hamburger and hot dog buns...
Well they had a excellent flavor but they were very crumbly. I am going to tweak the recipe and see what happens.

I forgot to take pictures but I will the next time I make them...
We are using the buns crumbles for bread crumbles in my meatloaf and the kids are loving it.

The doughnut hole recipe was an adaptation of "Oster" bread machine's recipe for raised doughnuts...

Doughnut Holes

Flour Mixture:
3/4 cup White rice flour
3/4 cup Brown rice flour
3/4/ cup Potato starch flour
1/2 teaspoon Cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Baking powder

Mixed all ingredients in a large bowl. Place ingredients into bread pan in following order.

2/3 cup Buttermilk
1/4 cup Water
1/4 cup Soft Margarine
1 Egg
Flour Mixture
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 teaspoon Active Yeast

Set bread machine to dough cycle. When finished set dough on top of a warm oven and let rise for 45 minutes. Separate dough into small balls. Heat oil in a deep fryer about 2 to 3 inches deep. Fry until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil and drain, then roll in powder sugar while warm and enjoy.

The mixture was not thick like dough, it was similar to thick cake batter...
So next time I might add 3/4 cup of tapioca flour or sweet rice flour to flour mixture and see if it is a thicker dough.

The recipe can probably be made without the bread machine...
I would mix the ingredients with a mixer and let it rise for 45 minutes. Punch the dough down and let it rise for another 45 minutes before separating dough into small balls.

My first gluten free experiment turned out pretty good this recipe is a keeper.

Peace

Weigh in Wednesday

2009-02-25T18:12:00.003-06:00

Weighed in @ 167 pounds today.

That's all I have to report today...

PEACE

Avoiding the phrase "I don't have time...", will soon help you to realize that you do have the time needed for just about anything you choose to accomplish in life.
-Bo Bennett

What are MUFAs?

2009-02-15T20:20:00.006-06:00

MUFA stands for monounsaturated fatty acids. Prevention Magazine's Flat Belly Diet suggests eating MUFAs with every meal. Prevention Magazine also states that research has shown that adding controlled portions of MUFAs, healthy fats, can help you feel full longer. See March 2009 issue of Prevention Magazine for more information

Some healthy fats that are listed in The Flat Belly Diet book are nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, avocados, and green and black olives.

I have not jumped fully into The Flat Belly Diet, but I am incorporating some of the MUFAs into every meal. I do have to admit that I feel fuller with each meal. I am not eating as many in- between "snacks".

Because I have this allergy/sensitivity to wheat I can not eat some of the foods listed on The Flat Belly Diet. Once I figure out a good substitute for the wheat products I will be ready to jump right in.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. -Mohandas K. Gandhi

Peace

Happy V-Day

2009-02-14T21:38:00.002-06:00

Wednesday weigh-in

2009-02-11T21:33:00.003-06:00

Weighed in @ 167.5 today.

I need a jump start for my exercising.

Starting tomorrow 30 minutes of uphill walking on treadmill and 30 minutes walk away the pounds.

My DH has decided to join me losing weight. His goal is to lose 14 pounds by May 30, 2009. My goal is to lose 30 pounds by May 27, 2009. That is a 2 pound loss per week for me. DH is losing approximately 1 pound a week. Can we do it...

I have not started the Flat Belly Diet yet but will try to start by February 20, 2009.

I have no idea what DH will be doing... this should be interesting.

I have been staying away from wheat. I noticed my fingernails are not splitting anymore... my hair is still gray.

I am hoping with time my hair color comes back...I may have to enlist the help of Miss Clairol.

I do not feel sick and achy anymore... but my butt is still not motivated to exercise.

Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes. ~Robert M. Hutchins

Peace

Recalls

2009-02-02T16:46:00.003-06:00

CNN reports a recall of enoki mushrooms produced by Phillips Mushroom Farms in Pennsylvania. The recall is for 3.5 ounce packages of enoki mushrooms with UPC # 33383 67540. They are packed in clear plastic bags with blue or green graphics and sold between January 12 – 30.The preliminary tests show possible listeria contamination. Symptoms of listeria include flu-like symptoms; fever, muscle aches, nausea, and or diarrhea.

Consumers are asked to return the mushrooms to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Visit http://www.phillipsmushroomfarms.com/ or call 800-722-8818 for more information.

-------------

Peanut Butter Recall

Video from FDA concerning peanut butter recall

Stay safe...

Peace

Working on a rose

2009-01-28T17:55:00.003-06:00

Unfinished Rose

This is my latest painting. It has three panels. I am close to being finished.

My husband and kids have been encouraging me to paint more. I have worked with pencils, charcoal, acrylics and watercolor.

I want to work with oils too.

Love and Peace

Weigh in Wednesday

2009-01-28T17:10:00.004-06:00

I weighed in @ 167.5 pounds.

I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I usually weigh in first thing in the morning on weigh in day.

For my birthday my family gave me the book, "Flat Belly Diet" by Liz Vaccariello. The book is from the editors of Prevention Magazine.

I am going to incorporate the plan into what I am currently doing...minuscule.

The book claims "not a single crunch required", well I am going to see. There is a 4 day anti-bloat jumpstart. Some of the foods to avoid during the 4 days are salt, high carbohydrate foods, bulky raw foods, gassy foods, chewing gum, sugar alcohols, fried foods, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, tea, coffee, hot cocoa, and acid fruit juice. There is a shopping list of foods to eat on the 4 days.

After completing the first 4 days the plan continues with another 28 days.

Well I will see if this works. After I get the items on the shopping list I will start the plan.

I lost 1.5 pounds...

Peace

Wednesday weigh in

2009-01-14T19:01:00.003-06:00

Okay, I weighed in at 169 pounds this week.

I am still doing the Sparkpeople.com New You Bootcamp.

I am shoveling a lot of snow and doing the Bootcamp workouts.

It is a slow start but at least it is a start.

My goal for this month is to weigh in at 162 pounds by the end of January.

I have not had any wheat this month, I feel good and getting better.

Love and Peace

Sparkpeople Bootcamp

2009-01-04T14:13:00.003-06:00

I started the Sparkpeople.com Bootcamp today and here is my before picture.

I am still weighing in at 169 pounds.

This Bootcamp starts today January 4 and ends on January 31. There are exercises everyday for 10 minutes or less. I think this will be a good jump start, since I have not been working out regularly.

I hope to lose 8 to 10 pound in the next 28 days.

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2009-01-01T18:20:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year!

169 pounds for yesterday's weigh in.
No picture of scale/weigh-in.
A 3 pound gain.
I over-ate.
I did not eat wheat.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holiday

2008-12-26T08:09:00.002-06:00

Love and peace to all

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-12-17T19:31:00.009-06:00

Weighing in at 166 pounds today.

I lost 3 pounds and I am happy with that.

I have not exercised, unless you count housework. I do think I can count housework because I have been doing more than I normally do.

I joined FlyLady again. I am a FlyBaby again. Several years ago a good friend of mine told me about FlyLady and I was hooked. FlyLady helps to get your house organized and clean. It worked for me for a few months, until I got sidetracked and went back to my old habits. I think I jumped in too fast and tried to do too much too fast. Well I am trying it again but doing it slowly. The first thing FlyLady has me do is make my kitchen sink shine and keep it shinning and clean. I have been struggling through this one because my kids do the dishes Monday through Friday. They do not completely have the concept of a shinning sink down. We are working on this. I just can't try to do everything all at once. I have to remember I did not get in this pile of clutter in one day or even one week. So, I'll be a FlyBaby for a while trying to get out of this clutter.

I have not been eating any crack (wheat). I did accidentally got some wheat when we went to a new local fast food joint. I ordered two large fries and was wolfing them down because I was soo hungry. I bit into a fist full of fries and notice they tasted slightly different but swallowed them down anyway (an unconscious move). After I inhaled the fries I noticed bits of chicken nugget on the bottom of the package and realized I had eaten crack (wheat). The coating on the nuggets are made with crack (wheat).

Oh snap!

Now I have had a sore throat for a few days.

You never know where you are going to find crack (wheat)!

Oh, how I digress...

I have lost three pounds. And I am happy.

Yeah Me!

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
-Jim Ryun

Love and Peace

One week without wheat

2008-12-12T17:22:00.004-06:00

Hey, Happy Holidays to all.

I have not been eating wheat and its products and it has been hard.

I watched my kids make cookies for a contest they were in. I even got in and helped my youngest. I was tempted by the aroma of the sugar and chocolate chip cookies. I actually put a small piece of sugar cookie dough in my mouth, as I usually do, then seconds later I realized what I had done ans spit it into the garbage. That small taste was enough to make me sigh with glee. Ahhhhh...

If my kids had seen me put that dough into my mouth they would have yelled, "Mommy NO, don't eat that!"The taste was sweet like a buttery cream. Some people can not understand how good cookie dough tastes. Maybe they're not addicted to the ingredients. My mouth is now watering with the thought of eating cookie dough.

It have gotten so bad that my DH(dear husband) has begun to worry about me. He sees the effect the wheat has on me. I have such a wide range of symptoms I think it scares him. With this last relapse, my symptoms have been more like the flu. Then I thought... Hmm, maybe I really did have the flu. And again, maybe not 'cause I don't think your skin, throat, eyes and ears would be itching. I have had a headache for the last week or so. My ears and sinuses are kicking my arse. I feel run down and achy. I could go on and on about the symptoms but I will spare you before I start talking about my digestive issues. Your lucky to be saved by my DH's voice in the back of my head saying "Damn, you will talk about anything."

It was so easy the first time I went off wheat. I think it was because I was so sick. I wanted to know if the wheat was the problem. However, when I found out wheat is the problem steering clear of it became a problem.

I have not seriously looked for any "Food addicts" meetings. A good friend of mine reminded me that if I needed help I should get it. She said I should not carry the stigma passed on from generation to generation that, "I can do this on my own , I don't need any help." She is right because I just had a vision of myself next Holiday season talking about how hard it is to not eat the wheat.

"Hello my name is Kim and I am a wheat addict"

The first law of dietetics seems to be if it tastes good, its bad for you.

- Issac Asimov

Love and Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-12-03T17:06:00.003-06:00

169 Pounds

Please excuse the toenail polish, time for a pedicure. Ugh!

I did not have a major weight gain or loss, which is okay.

I am struggling with my "crack addiction" (food addiction to wheat). I may need to check out some food addiction meetings.

Next weigh in Wednesday December 17.

"Addictions-
A long-standing compulsive behavior pattern may be called an addiction, and an addiction lives inside you as a quasi-entity or sub-personality, an energy field that periodically takes you over completely. It even takes over your mind, the voice in your head, which then becomes the voice of the addiction. It may be saying, 'You've had a rough day. You deserve a treat. Why deny yourself the only pleasure that is left in your life?' ...Taking the cigarette out of the packet and lighting it, or pouring yourself a drink were actions performed in complete unconsciousness."
-Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

Love and Peace

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T18:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

PEACE AND LOVE

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-11-19T16:35:00.008-06:00

I weighed in at 169 pounds

I'll take that because I lost inches

Neck 13.5
Chest 44
Waist 38.5
Hips 40
Thighs 23.5
Upper arms 14.5

10/10/08

Neck 13.5
Chest 43.25
Waist 36.75
Hips 39
Thigh 23.25
Calves 14.25
Upper arms 13.5
Forearms 11

11/19/08

I thought I was losing inches because my clothes were fitting better. I was able to get into a pair of jeans which had gotten too small. My bra even fits better, it is not strangling me.

I still crave food with wheat in to. I have been in prayer about that. And I have tapped with EFT on issues of food addiction and cravings. I had a small nagging headache creeping up for the lat week. It is a full blown headache today. I think it might be from tapping so much... now I need to tap on this headache.

I lost .5 pounds, I am fine with that since I lost 1.75 inches off my waist, 1 inch off my hips, and 1 inch off my upper arm.

Guess what? Next week is "turkey day". We usually over eat in my house. I am planning a small dinner for my family. Most of the meals we eat on "turkey day" are food with wheat in it. I am going to do a brave thing... fix my families favorites. Chocolate cake, dinner rolls and dressing will be on the menu. I am searching for a gluten-free or maybe raw foods dessert for me.

I don't think I will have any problem not eating wheat because the last couple of weeks have been miserable for me. I feel off the wagon and ate bread, hamburgers (buns), and other products that I knew had wheat in it. I just stopped itching and scratching within the last today or two. My stomach issues have subsided. I have gone from rocket propelled bathroom sessions to waiting, waiting and waiting to visit the throne. My joints have finally stopped revolting on me for my relapse.

That which I love makes me physically sick.

Wish me luck.

God give me strength...

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

I have lost .5 pounds and a total 4 inches.

Yeah-ah-oh-ho!

Love and Peace

DRAMA

2008-11-11T17:03:00.003-06:00

Some days you wake up in the morning and you just know it is going to be “one of those days.” You try with all that you know not to get into a back and forth with anyone, but you manage to open your mouth and BAM. You’re in the mist of a hornets nest and you’re trying to figure out how you got there?

Well I have been doing some reading, The Law of Attraction, A New Earth, a couple of books by Wayne Dryer and even Deepak Chopar. It’s funny to me because I read it and think I am having an AH-HA moment but then I can’t seem to implement any of the good advice when I should. The moment usually passes then I realize I should have, “been present,” “recognized that was the pain-body,” “picked another battle” and “recognized it’s not me who has the problem.” If I could only figure this out before I step into the hornets nest it would be good. Maybe the reason I don’t figure it out is because I have visions of toasted bread dancing in my head. You know like the old intermission at the movies, where they are trying to get you to buy something from the snack bar. That is my “crack” (wheat) addiction. My pain-body is probably pissed off too because I am not feeding this stupid “crack” addiction. Pain-body is a ego tripping Drama Queen! So the pain-body has taken over and it wants to argue, create drama, and stir up trouble, ‘cause that’s what it does. Of course I am blindsided by the smell and vision of the buttery toast dancing in my head singing “eat me, com’on you know you want some, eat me,” then BAM! What the… were did that hornets nest come from? Too late the hornets are stinging the schick-itty out of me!

Frack-a-lacking bull!

Now, not only do I have a weight loss goal, I have a no drama goal, and a kick the “crack” (wheat) addiction goal.

I keep hearing “Stay present”…

“It’s all good.”

Peace

Wheat Addicted

2008-11-10T23:12:00.009-06:00

"Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

--Saint Francis of Assisi

Artwork by Kim

2008-11-10T12:14:00.008-06:00

Up Stream

Plant in Tropic

Pink Plumeria

Bird of Paradise

Leap of Faith at Sunset

Leap of Faith at Daylight

Balance

Peace

Addicted to Wheat

2008-11-08T22:35:00.018-06:00

OMG, I am addicted to wheat and wheat products.

I have been acting like a crack addict when it comes to wheat and wheat by products. I understand people being addicted to food much better. I have been trying to go completely off wheat and its by products and I have been miserable, angry, craving and crazy.

For the last three weeks I have been eating wheat here and there. Sneaking it like a crackhead. No offense to anyone who is a crack addict or recovering crack addict.

I have much sympathy and empathy for you.

I feel so much remorse after I eat the wheat, but while I eat it I am in heaven. I had convinced myself that I was not getting enough fiber. See after I would eat deli ham and tomatoes wrapped in lettuce, I would still be hungry one hour later. It was like eating Chinese food.

Oh I need to stop lying to you and myself, I did not need to convince myself I needed more fiber.

I am addicted to wheat and that's it!

I saw Dr. Mary Ann Block on Your Health Television with Dr. Richard Becker. She mentioned that most people who had food allergies would crave the addictive foods. Allergy causing foods
were the addictive food.

That would fit me perfectly.

I know my mother was addicted to carbohydrates. She loved cakes, pies, bread,and cookies. If it had flour and sugar in it she craved it. I am the same way. I have been craving that which has been making me ill and achy.

I am sitting here writing this post and itching like crazy because I ate wheat for several weeks. Now I am paying for it. I have also been more achy and had more allergy symptoms.

This is very hard for me. I feel sad when I think about not eating wheat.

I have to overcome this addiction because it is making me physically ill.

Maybe I need a 12 step program?

I can do this! Yes I can!

Love, Peace, and No More Wheat...

Artwork by Kim

2008-11-08T21:16:00.010-06:00

Tropic

Marvin Gaye

Couple Dancing

Blue Plumeria

Peace

A shift...

2008-11-05T10:54:00.008-06:00

...in the Atmosphere.

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-11-05T10:33:00.002-06:00

169.5 Pounds

Okay, so I gained 3 pounds.

Whatever!

My DH has told me over and over that I should not weigh myself every week. I am now beginning to believe him. The up and down of the scale makes me a little obsessive. In a way it motivates me, however it makes me crazy also. So I will not be weighing in until November 19.

I thought doing yard work would be enough to at least maintain my weight from last week but it was not. Then again may be I gained muscle with all the work I was doing. I did a lot of yard work this week and last week.

weigh in @ 169.5

See ya in two... two weeks that is.

YES WE CAN!

Peace and blessings

Yes We Can

2008-11-05T00:49:00.003-06:00

YES WE CAN!

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-10-29T14:52:00.006-05:00

Weigh-in @ 166.5 (173.5) lbs

I weighed in on my old scale, I am having to much trouble with the digital scale. Since there is a 7 pound difference between the digital scale and this old scale, I actually lost 0 pounds. No pound loss this week.

I have to remember I am in the 160's on this scale and not the 170's as far as my weight goes.

I am okay with the weight for this week. I did not do a lot of exercise this week. I just did yard work this week and watched what I ate.

It was cold here and I think it made my joints ache. The aching made me not want to exercise. I am okay with that because today and this week are new days. Each day is a new day. Today I did yard work again and thanks to fall leaves I will be in the yard the rest of the week until the leaves are mulched and collected.

Well no weight loss this week but I have next week to look forward to.

See ya next week...

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-10-22T18:17:00.007-05:00

Wednesday weigh-in @ 173.5...

I lost one pound!

I'll take that, because I didn't work out with P90X. I worked in my yard and I removed carpet from my family room. I am content with one pound.

Now I will get back to P90X and see what happens next week.

I am still having problems with my digital scale. Next week I think I will weigh in with my other Taylor scale. There is a 6 pound difference between the two scales but the manual one is more accurate. I can get on the digital scale and it will read 173.5. And step off get right back on and it will say I weigh 174.5. And it will keep giving me different numbers as long as I keep getting on. I have changed the batteries several times and the problem persists.

Yee Ha...

I weighed in this week at 173.5.

A 1 pound loss.

See ya next week

Peace

The spirit...

2008-10-19T23:31:00.005-05:00

"...The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"

Matthew 26:41

Working out around the house

2008-10-19T22:25:00.003-05:00

Last week Sunday through Thursday I worked around my house. I ripped out my carpet in my family room, piece by piece. It really needed to be removed years ago. My dog had been tagging it for years. It seemed like I could not get rid of the smell no matter what I tried. It had been shampooed so many times it was still damp when I rolled it up. My family had gotten used to the smell. I would walk in the front door and say "Do you small that?". I always got "No, I don't smell anything" as a response. It was frustrating because I thought I was the only one smelling it. I put all the old carpet and padding on the patio. Wednesday I went out on the patio to let the dog out and the smell of urine over powered me. I knew then that it was not in my head or my nose it was in my old carpet. Now when I walk in the front door dog urine does not greet me at the door.

Pulling that carpet up was a strenuous satisfying job. And I did it all by myself... no help from my DH. I did get a lot of help from my kids on Wednesday and Thursday. They watched me take most of the carpet up then asked if they could help because it "looked fun". So I put them to work. They helped pull the old carpet and padding to the curb for trash day.

What would I do with out my little helpers?

I felt the pain in my back, legs, and arms. Pulling this carpet up and cleaning the wood floors underneath was a workout. I also worked in the yard and got up leaves on Tuesday.

I am still sore today. However some of the soreness from today is because my MIL, my girls and I had to clean my house, which was not planned. Like I said, what would I do with out my little helpers?

Some times things happen unexpectedly and you have to be able to adapt and modify situations and circumstances in order to keep sane. I learned from Eckhart Tolle that you can not resist that which is not pleasant or you will cause it to persist. Remembering what Tolle said in "A New Earth" and listening to my MIL and my dad, I got through the situation and all is well.

I am glad this day is about to end and a fresh new day will start shortly.

I think it is time to read "A New Earth" again.

Peace to all

Weigh in wednesday

2008-10-15T15:59:00.002-05:00

I am weighing in at 174.5 that is a 1.5 pound loss.

I will take that. I have been working my buttocks off with p90x. Today is the beginning of week two. I am still motivated. I enjoyed the yoga-x the most. It was intense and extreme.

I have been drinking more water because the workouts are so extreme.

Yesterday I worked in the yard getting up fall leaves. I have to get a jump on the leaves or I will be overwhelmed. I live in a forest... not really. But there are so many trees in my neighborhood you would think it was a forest. Two years ago I was not physically able to get the leaves up the way I wanted. That following spring it was a mess to get up all those old decomposing leaves. I said I would never get in that situation again, if I could help it.

Well I an happy with a 1.6 pound loss

Today's weigh in is 174.5

See ya next week...

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in

2008-10-08T18:53:00.004-05:00

I lost .5 pounds LOL!

I don't feel bad because I started P90x today and I know next week will be a better week.

I am sore and at least I know why... Because I worked my arse off!

I will post the workout later.

Weigh in for today is 176 lbs.

Peace

Working it out...

2008-10-03T18:18:00.004-05:00

Okay, lets start with yesterday. I mowed the yard to get up all the fall leaves. That was a 45 minute workout.

I eat lightly and drank a lot of green tea yesterday.

Today I worked out with power 90x. I could only do half of the work out for chest, shoulder, and triceps, but I did it. I also did a couple of 10 second planks, side planks, and bird dogs.

I am so glad tomorrow is my off day.

I am off to the shower.

Peace

I gained weight

2008-10-01T16:33:00.003-05:00

176.5 pounds this week.

I gained 1.5 pounds from last week.

Here is my weight form July 23, 2008...

7/23 - 178
8/6 - 176.5
8/13 - 178
8/20 - 177
8/27 - 180.5
9/3 - 174**
9/10 - 176.5
9/17 - 174.5
9/24 - 175
10/1 - 176.5

Whoa, when I look at those numbers I want to sink into a depression. The numbers do speak for themselves.

**The week I worked the hardest is the week I lost the most.

Why can't I stay motivated? Why do I sabotage my weight loss with a big celebration that makes me gain back half if not all of what I lost the previous week?

Frack- a- lacking bull! Argh! $&*#!

See ya next week...

maybe...

Peace

Do or die poker

2008-09-30T15:07:00.007-05:00

I play a little poker every now and then.

I play on all luck and intuition. My DH (dear husband) and I joke with each other all the time about players who play on all the statistics and odds vs. players who play on intuition and luck.

My DH is very analytical and cerebral and I am very intuitive and impulsive. I have to admit I do beat him most of the time when we play, but I have been playing longer than him too. I also bluff well. I introduced him to the game and he is now the expert.

I am not good at betting. I can't seem to figure out the pot odds and the odds of a certain card hitting the board. I don't have all the lingo down. So I am always self conscious. My DH keeps telling me that I would be a better player if I learned about the different odds and statistics of the game.

I have been checking out a blog... www.do-or-die-poker.com it has a lot of strategy, tips and information about poker.

I like the site and hope it will help me get back into some poker games with more confidence and skill.

Peace

New banner...

2008-09-29T15:05:00.004-05:00

Look at my new banner.

My kids made it for me.

They are so creative.

My oldest created the banner and incorporated a drawing her sister created.

It turned out very well.

Koodles to my dynamic duo.

Peace

Friday's work out...

2008-09-26T16:47:00.004-05:00

Friday's workout:

Modified Crunches - Sets 4 - Reps 15
Modified Crunches With Twist - Sets 4 -Reps 15
Hamstring Flexion With Ball - Sets 4 - Reps 15
Back Extension With Ball - Sets 2 -Reps 15
Modified "perfect" Push Ups - Sets 2 - Reps 5

I did drink 16 ounces last night before I went to bed last night.

I am not necessarily motivated, but I am determined to lose more than 2.5 pounds in the next two months.

Peace

Working out...

2008-09-25T20:59:00.004-05:00

Today's work out:

Seated dumbbell triceps extension set 2 - reps 15
Alternating dumbbell biceps curls set 5 - reps 5
Dumbbell crunches set 4 - reps 15
Plank set 2 - 20 seconds each
Side plank set 2 - 15 seconds each
Dumbbell weight is 8 pounds

I also worked in yard again trimming shrubs for 30 minutes. I worked up sweat today also.

I have only had 16 ounces of water so far today. Before bed I will try to get another 16 ounces of water.

Peace

Do you want to join me...

2008-09-24T21:35:00.003-05:00

I started this weigh in Wednesday on July 24, two months ago.

I am a little disheartened to report that I have only lost a total 2.5 pounds.

I started out at 178 pounds and today I weigh 175.5.

Hmm

I want to challenge anyone reading this to join in with me.

Post your beginning weight and weigh in with me each Wednesday.

Let me know what you are doing to stay motivated?

Do you have a plan or are you like me? I am trying to get back into the swing of exercising.

Thanks for checking me out.

Next weeks goal is a 2 pound loss.

Peace

Staying motivated...

2008-09-24T12:14:00.004-05:00

...wah, wah, wah.

1/2 pound increase from last week.

I did weigh in after I worked in the yard. I worked up a good sweat getting up leaves and mowing for about 45 minutes. I wanted to have some sort of loss. I was punishing myself for not working out more than one day this past week.

I never ripped any abs and I have been very complacent. I lack motivation.

I am a big time procrastinator.

You should have seen me last night after I realized it was Tuesday night and I had to weigh in today. If I wasn't so unmotivated, I would have worked out for 2 hours, just to see a loss today.

I'll gladly take the 1/2 pound because it could have been worse.

I need to focus on accountability, because I will never reach my goal weight of 156 by December 10 if I don't become accountable.

My work out for the day was a vigorous gardening of my yard for 45 minutes in 84 degree heat dressed in black. Talk about punishment, I thought I was going to melt away from all the sweat. Ugh!

Weigh in 175 today.

Peace

Step machine...

2008-09-21T15:30:00.003-05:00

I worked out 15 minutes on my step machine yesterday.

My foot did not bother me, until I finished. It wasn't hurting enough to stop me from working out again.

It has been a little difficult getting back into the cardio side of working out. I have gotten used to skipping it because my foot was hurting for quite a while. Now that my foot is better I have to push myself to get back to walking and the step machine.

Today is my 100 crunches, ab ripper day. I am not as sore when I finish them. That makes me excited and motivated to do more. I don't think I am ready for ab ripper 200, maybe I can start in October.

Well thanks for checking me out...

I am off to rip some abs.

Peace

Weigh in issue...

2008-09-17T11:11:00.007-05:00

... having problems with my scale. I have a Taylor Body Analyzer scale, which runs on a battery. I have to tap it with my toe and let it zero out before standing on it to get my weight. Well this morning it would not zero out, it kept reading 0.5, then 1.0. I stepped on the scale with out getting it to zero out and got a weight of 174 pounds, but did not snap the picture. I stepped off the scale, prepared my camera, tapped scale with toe, stepped on scale and got this weight...

...174.5 pounds.

I was happy because I have lost 2 pounds from last week.

However, I got the bright idea the see how much my other Taylor scale would say I weighed. This is what I got...

...167.5 pounds hmm even better.

What is up with my scales?

As much as I want to think I lost 9 pounds if the 167.5 weight is correct, I am going to say I lost 2 pounds. I will go with the 174.5 weight because it was taken on the same scale I have been using since the first weigh in.

Before next weigh in I will purchase another battery and see if that makes a difference.

So "it's all good", I did lose 2 pounds and I am sticking with that.

174.5 pounds this week! Wow good job!

I am going to get on my step machine to burn some calories and some stress.

Peace

100 crunches...

2008-09-15T20:40:00.003-05:00

I have been quite lazy lately.

I got a jolt of energy and I just finished ab ripper 100. That's 10 different crunches with 10 reps each.

Standard crunch- 10
Right side crunch- 10
Left side crunch- 10
Elbows to knees-10
Superman crunch- 10
Leg lifts-10
In and out- 10
Ab hip rock- 10
Bicycles- 10
Full body crunch- 10

Okay this workout is from P90X. I am not doing the whole program. I am doing what I feel I can do for now. And the ab ripper 100 is a beginning for me.

I had to get off my butt today and do something!

I do feel good afterward, yeah me!

Thanks for checking me out...

Peace

Halloween candy...

2008-09-10T16:18:00.003-05:00

...is not my friend!

Okay I need to get a grip on reality. Binging on caramel sour apple suckers and snack sized Reese's peanut butter cups is not going to help with my weight loss.

I gained 2.5 pounds from last week. UGH!

It's all good as my brother would say. Why is it all good? Well I find that if I am too strict with myself I fall completely off the wagon and struggle for months to get back on track. So I will not beat myself up. However, I will be more aware of what is going into my mouth and why. I have been telling myself that I can have a piece of candy a few days a week as long as I do the exercises and eat right. Oh yeah drink that water!

Weighed in at 176.5 today.

Gained 2.5 ponds.

It could have been worse!

Peace

Ab Ripper...

2008-09-03T21:19:00.002-05:00

100 variations of crunches.

I did it before midnight!

I got several charlie horses in my upper abs, but I didn't stop. Well I stopped long enough for it to go away. There were even a couple of crunches I was too out of shape to do a total of ten. But I did as many as I could.

I feel so much better having completed that challenge.

I can do this!

Thanks for checking my blog out...

Peace

174...

2008-09-03T16:53:00.004-05:00

WOW! 174 pounds... I weighted in at 174 pounds!

Oh yeah, I am celebrating.

I felt like I had lost weight because my clothes were fitting better.

I am going to definitely keep up the strength training and tomorrow I am going to do step machine for as long as my foot will let me.

I went from 180.5 to 174 pounds. That is wonderful. I think the increased water intake helped to flush out some waste.

This is very motivating for me. Everyone likes seeing results. I know I do!

I did not do the ab ripper 100 last night but now I am motivated to do them as soon as I finish this post.

Weigh in 174 that's a 6.5 pound loss.

I am happy...Peace

Strength training...

2008-09-02T15:03:00.004-05:00

On August 29, I got up off my sore foot and did:

2 sets 5 reps Pull ups over handed
2 sets 5 reps Pull ups under handed
2 sets 15 reps Calf raises
3 sets 5 reps Modified pushup w/perfect pushup
5 sets 5 reps Crunches
5 sets 5 reps Crunches w/twist
4 sets 5 reps 8 lb weights Dumbbell reverse flys seated
3 sets 10 reps 8 lb weights Seated dumbbell triceps extensions

I felt the burn of the weights.

I really miss walking and stepping. I hope to get back to it by Thursday.

My challenge/goal for today is to do ab ripper 100. That is a variety of ab exercises totaling 100.

I can't believe I have even slacked off drinking my water.

The good thing is I don't feel like I have gained a lot of extra pounds we shall see Wednesday.

Got to stay motivated.

Thanks for stopping by to check me out

Peace

Weigh-in...

2008-08-27T15:31:00.004-05:00

Okay so I am weighing in at 180.5 today. Last week I weighed in at 177. I have gained 3.5 pounds. Not happy about that weight gain.

I am not making any excuses. I did nothing all week long. My foot is hurt and I took the lazy road and did nothing. I probably would have gained more if I had eaten a lot of junk.

If I had any trust in doctors I would go to one to be sure I did not break any bones. I will give it another week then decide if a doctor is needed.

After seeing the 3 pound increase I am going to do strength train like I said I was going to do last week.

Well see you next week for my Wednesday weigh-in.

Peace

Wednesday weigh-in...

2008-08-21T17:14:00.008-05:00

Sorry I'm late with my weigh-in update. I did weigh-in yesterday. I wasn't able to post it until now.

I lost one pound from last week's 178.

YES! I will take a one pound loss.

I hurt my foot so I will not be walking for a little while. But I will be doing more strength training. I can still work out with free weights and I have a "Total Body Works" machine. I will do mostly upper body until my foot heals.

Weight this week: 177

Keep drinking water, and strength training

Peace

Be present...

2008-08-19T16:16:00.003-05:00

I just read an article on drweil.com titled Lose Weight by Examining How You Eat. The article states that you should practice “intuitive eating”. “Intuitive eating” asks you to pay attention to your body and adjust your intake of food accordingly. In other words eat only when you are hungry and stop eating when you are full.

So if you are an emotional eater eating when you are stressed, depressed and or bored, then you are not in touch with your body. You are eating to comfort and or soothe your emotions. You will pack on the pounds.

Listen to your body it will tell you when it is hungry, thirsty, and full.

Be conscious and present when you eat. Eat slowly and intentionally. Taste your food.

Some of us like me are in the present state because we love the taste of food. However since I have slowed down instead of wolfing my food down I realize I never tasted the food. This left me unsatisfied and wanting more. I missed the true flavor of the food.

I also had to stop eating until I was hurting, stuffed and even miserable. I was shoveling the food into my mouth so fast and I was not listening to my body. I never got the signal that I needed to stop. I then begin to think the stuffed feeling was saying “You’re full”... wrong. It was saying “You’re over stuffed and miserable”!

So I now try to remember to eat slowly, eat consciously, and savor the favor of my food. And listen to that still small voice that says, “You’re full”, not “Ugh, you’re stuffed”.

It is not easy, bad habits are some times hard to replace with good habits but it can be done.

I have to remember to stay in the present and don’t beat myself up if I revert back to a bad habit. Admit I slipped backwards, allow myself to feel the emotion of the slip up. Don’t get stuck in the moment (emotion) and keep moving forward.

Thanks for checking me out...

Peace

Dusted off stair step machine...

2008-08-17T18:09:00.006-05:00

I worked out on the stair stepper instead of two mile walk.

15 minutes
level 2
1089 strokes/steps
54.4 calories

Thighs are burning!

Okay, I did not have enough so I worked out with WATP one mile.

16 minutes
3267 steps
132.2 calories

I like WATP (Walk Away The Pounds)!

Peace

Staying motivated...

2008-08-17T16:44:00.005-05:00

Last week was a mixed bag of emotions.

Since my weigh in day is Wednesdays I sometimes confuse Wednesday with the first day of the week. And sometimes it is the last day of the week.

Well last Sunday I was pumped and excited to weigh in on Wednesday. I walked a mile on Sunday. Did 12 modified pushups with “perfect pushups” on Monday. I was still motivated on Tuesday so I walked two miles.

I just knew when Wednesday came I would show another great loss. Whah, whah, whah, it didn’t happen. I was bloated and not happy when Wednesday rolled in. I gained 1.5 pounds and a lot of disappointment.

I refused to beat myself up like I have done so many times in the past. So instead of beating myself up, I did 30 squats. I drank 48 ounces of water. Whoa, that is a lot of water for me. I usually only drink about 8 ounces a day.

On Thursday I was feeling a little encouraged and the squats had my thighs aching. So I took the day off. I am not trying to over do it to the point of pain. However, I was refreshed and ready to go on Friday. I walked 3 miles on Friday!

Saturday was my off day. I took time to reflect and try to keep things in prospective. I worked on my state of mind.

Today is Sunday and I will walk two miles.

I am not fully motivated but I will do what I need to do to get results.

I heard Dr. Phil say, "the meaning of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results", hmm.

So on that note I will mix it up and see if I get different results!

Water, cardio, and strength training.

Peace

Happiness...

2008-08-16T11:11:00.003-05:00

SPARKPEOPLE TRANSLATION:

How many times have you thought, IF I do this or get this, THEN I will be happy? Many of us think about happiness as something that will eventually happen. We use our daily lives as a means to get there. We dream of retirement or vacation. We all have something we use to show us that happiness awaits us somewhere. What about NOW? Why not celebrate what you already have and use it to create a life of purpose? If you need to prove it to yourself, make a list of the things that you are thankful for and be genuinely happy.

Two pound bloat...

2008-08-13T12:10:00.003-05:00

Oh no, I am so bloated. Even if I did lose any weight it would have to be a five pound or more loss for me to see any results.

I am not going to beat myself up. I know I worked hard this week. On Thursday, Friday and Sunday I walked a mile. On Tuesday I walked two miles. On Monday I did some push ups. I could only do a total of twelve but that is more than I have done in a long time.

I have not been drinking water like I should. This is another bad habit I have to change.

Okay, I weighed in at 178 lbs. That is a one and a half pound gain. I am bloated!

Next weigh in Wednesday, August 20.

Keep walking, drinking water, strength training, and lose that weight.

Peace

Keep it moving...

2008-08-09T12:09:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I had a pedometer reading of 5,628 steps. That is good and it included a one mile walk. My goal is 10,000 steps a day.

Whoa, that's a lot of walking.

Today is my off day, however I think I will go buy the perfect push-up. Next week I am going to do some strength training. I plan on starting with some upper-body work on Tuesday and some squats on Wednesday.

I have to drink more water. I am not drinking enough water. Eight ounces a day is just not enough!

Keep it moving, walk, walk, and walk some more.

Peace

Motivation...

2008-08-07T22:05:00.003-05:00

The 3 pound lost has motivated me.

Today I did WATP With High Calorie Burn, which is a 2 mile walk in 30 minutes. I had to push myself to finish. Now I feel great!

I plan on adding some strength training in on my Tuesday and Wednesday WATP off days. I'll keep Saturday as an off day.

My dear husband (DH) noticed I was losing inches, that is a plus by itself.

I wanted a candy bar when my family went to the store and my oldest child pushed me right pass the isle. She reminded me I was losing weight and I didn't need a candy bar.

I guess it will take a while for that sweet tooth to go away.

I am setting a goal to walk at 3.5 mph on treadmill by the end of August. Also stay on target for 2 pounds a week.

Drink more water. I am doing good if I get a 16 oz bottle down in one day.

Peace...

I Lost 3 pounds...

2008-08-06T12:28:00.006-05:00

Okay...Wow, I lost 3 pounds in one week.

Last week I did not post my weight but it was 179.5.

This week I worked hard to lose the pounds. I walked 1 mile on July 31, August 1, August 3, and August 5.

I weighed-in at 176.5 pounds today. I lost 1 inch off my waist, 3/4 inch of my hips and neck.

My diet did not change. I actually ate an extra large piece of candy with caramel, pecans, and milk chocolate. I can tell I am no longer bloated since I stopped eating wheat. I need to drink more water!

Next weigh-in Wednesday August 13...

Peace

Walk it off

2008-08-03T21:07:00.003-05:00

I walked a 19 minute mile on treadmill. It seemed harder than a 18 minute mile with "Walk Away The Pounds". I don't know why but the difference is so big that I may have to work up to doing the treadmill. Right now I think I will just do the treadmill once a week and "Walk Away The Pounds" the other three days.

I don't want to over do it and end up in so much pain that I have to stop. My DH always says, "you have to work through the pain, don't let that stop you," and "it will go away when you get use to it."

Hough!

Well if I had that Marine training like he did I guess I would feel the same. But I will stick with the things that keep me motivated... and that's not pain.

Oh yeah I dropped that goal of a 18 minute mile 6 days a week down to a 19 minute mile 4 days a week when my ankle started having pain.

I skipped weigh-in last Wednesday and will weigh-in this Wednesday... for sure.

Peace

Edit Blog Entry Delete Blog Entry

3 Mile walk

2008-07-28T20:16:00.006-05:00

Last week I set a goal of one 18 minute mile for 6 days out of the week. Saturdays are my off days. I walked a 16 minute mile for 3 miles today. Last Friday and this Sunday I didn't walk so I felt like I owed myself 3 miles all together today.

I feel good. I thought I would be exhausted, but I am not.

I bought a new pedometer, 'cause I can't find the other 5 that are lost somewhere in my house.

I think I need to have 10,000 steps a day in order to lose weight? I went to the grocery store and I walked 3 miles but I haven't hit 5,000 steps yet. I only have a few more hours before bed to get those other 5,000 steps in...Hmm. Now I can see why I haven't been losing weight. I have to get up more, move more, and walk more!

Next weigh-in is Wednesday...ut oh

Today was a good day

2008-07-24T23:12:00.005-05:00

Exercise is coming easier because my energy is coming back.

I made spaghetti for the family and wanted some myself. I didn’t have any gluten-free pasta and didn’t want to run to the store. So I searched the internet and found a simple recipe for gnocchi made with 3 cups of corn flour and a quart of boiling water. I used the masa harina I was using to make tortillas and substituted out ½ cup tapioca flour. It still turned out good. This can sustain me until I can find something better or different. I will be experimenting a lot.

I am off to walk my 19 minute mile. I was trying to walk with friends but that didn’t work out. Every one including myself had a dozen excuses for not walking. So I decided to use “Walk Away the Pounds” and SparkPeople.com.

I feel some motivation coming. Hey now!

My butt has gotten way too big to keep making excuses. Okay I am putting myself on blast. Today I weigh in at 178 lbs. Let’s see how motivated I really am?

Well thanks for checking me out.

"Nothing's wrong with you..."

2008-07-21T22:49:00.003-05:00

Okay, I made it through an endoscopy and a colonoscopy only to find out that I still don’t know for sure if I have Celiac Disease.

After waking up from the sedative I asked the Doctor if I would have a follow up appointment to discuss the results of the two tests.

“No you are fine, there is nothing wrong with your colon or stomach”, he says.

“Oh I thought you had to get the results back from the biopsy of my stomach?”

“I didn’t do a biopsy, your stomach looks perfect, except a small infection,” he beams proudly.

I am still half asleep trying to think clearly and end up babbling something about the rash I had and what should I do if it comes back.

“Stay away from the wheat and if the rash comes back, go see an allergist and they can do a test,” he says as he sticks out his forearm and pokes it with his finger to demonstrate the test. “I’ll see you in 3 to 4 months to see how that diet is treating you, other wise I’ll see you in 10 to 15 years”, he says waving goodbye and walking away.

To be honest, right now I am wondering if all that went exactly as I just wrote it. Why do people talk to you when you are coming out of sedation, like you are going to remember what you said let alone what they said? Anyway I am sure I am pretty close to what was said.

Two days later I am going over all that has happened in the last 3 weeks. All of a sudden I start laughing out loud. This is a weird reaction to realizing that I had spoken a non-diagnosis into existence. I was laughing to keep from tearing something up and yelling at the top of my lungs. I am telling myself, I’m in control and I had two choices. I probably had more but I was cognoscente of only two. I could fall back into my old rant of how doctors are idiots who like treating people like guinea pigs. Or I could accept the fact that I had a healthy colon and did not have any ulcers, IBS, GERD, or any other digestive malfunction.

I talked to my dear husband and came to the conclusion that I would avoid wheat at all cost. If I happened to get a reaction in the future I would gather all the information I had from all the books I have read and take that information with me to an allergist and demand to be tested correctly for CD.

What Is Done In The Dark…

2008-07-18T01:35:00.001-05:00

…will come to light

OMG! What is the deal with Rev. Jesse Jackson? First, it is released in the media that he wants to cut off Barack Obama’s testicles and now we find out that he is still using the “N” word. Is the world going to come to an end? Well, yes it is but not because of the good reverend. Jesse Jackson was publicly exposed for having a child outside of his marriage to Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson I just don’t understand how Jesse can want to mutilate Barack Obama for asking men who have fathered children to do more as a parent? Is it guilt?

This is a portion of the speech Obama gave on Father’s Day earlier this year:

“…Yes, we need more cops on the street. Yes, we need fewer guns in the hands of people who shouldn't have them. Yes, we need more money for our schools, and more outstanding teachers in the classroom, and more after school programs for our children. Yes, we need more jobs and more job training and more opportunity in our communities.

But we also need families to raise our children. We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception. We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child – it's the courage to raise one.

We need to help all the mothers out there who are raising these kids by themselves; the mothers who drop them off at school, go to work, pick up them up in the afternoon, work another shift, get dinner, make lunches, pay the bills, fix the house, and all the other things it takes both parents to do. So many of these women are doing a heroic job, but they need support. They need another parent. Their children need another parent. That's what keeps their foundation strong. It's what keeps the foundation of our country strong.” http://www.barackobama.com/2008/06/15/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_78.php

To me this is the old “kill the messenger” or cut off his testicles attitude. It reminds me of the child in school who doses not get enough attention at home. So when he gets to school he acts out in class. For this child any attention, even attention for bad behavior is good because it is attention.

November 27, 2006 Rev. Jackson asked that people stop using the “N” word. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/27/entertainment/main2211059.shtml Guess what word Jackson has been using lately? So much for practice what you preach. This almost makes me wonder what else we will find out about Rev. Jackson…Hmm. My mom used to say what is done in the dark will eventually come to the light.

Peace of God

2008-07-14T17:58:00.016-05:00

I am living life to the fullest everyday and resting in the peace of God which passes all understanding. I am trying to live in the present. I refuse to be stuck in the past. I will not get carried away by the future. This quote is a favorite of mine from the book A New Earth, pages 56-58 Eckhart Tolle writes:

"There are many accounts of people who experienced the emerging new dimension of consciousness as a result of tragic loss at some point in their lives. Some lost all of their possessions, others their children or spouse, their social position, reputation, or physical abilities. In some cases, through disaster or war, they lost all of these simultaneously and found themselves with 'nothing'. We may call that a limit situation. Whatever they had identified with whatever gave them their sense of self had been taken away. Then suddenly and inexplicably, the anguish or intense fear they initially felt gave way to a sacred sense of Presence, a deep peace and serenity and complete freedom from fear. This phenomenon must have been familiar to St. Paul, who used the expression 'the peace of God which passeth all understanding.' It is indeed a peace that doesn’t seem to make sense, and the people who experience it asked themselves: In the face of this, how can I feel such peace? "
"…Whenever tragic loss occurs, you either resist or you yield. Some people become bitter or deeply resentful; others become compassionate, wise, and loving. Yielding means inner acceptance of what is. You are open to life. Resistance is an inner contraction, a hardening of the shell of the ego. You are closed. Whatever action you take in a state of inner resistance (which we could also call negativity) will create more outer resistance, and the universe will not be on your side; life will not be helpful. If the shutters are closed, the sunlight cannot come in. When you yield internally, when you surrender, a new dimension of consciousness opens up. If action is possible or necessary, your action will be in alignment with the whole and supported by creative intelligence, the unconditioned consciousness which in a state of inner openness you become one with. Circumstances and people then become helpful, cooperative. Coincidences happen. If no action is possible, you rest in the peace and inner stillness that come with surrender. You rest in God. "
-Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

From endoscopy to colonoscopy

2008-07-11T15:20:00.008-05:00

I had the endoscopy and it was not bad at all. I had gotten myself all worked up and scared. They gave me an IV with a sedative. I don't even remember having it done. I just woke up to my husband telling joke and acting silly. The doctor said everything looked normal but my blood work showed I was anemic. So guess what, he wants me to have a colonoscopy. Okay so I haven't completely freaked out. I am doing a lot of praying and tapping. Tapping is EFT, emotional freedom technique, if you go to emofree.com you can read up on it.

Oh yeah I have this itch all over that started about two weeks ago. At first there were no bumps, rash or hives just itching. Well now there is a rash, pink and irritating. I know it has to do with wheat because I had been eating wheat. I had the bright idea that I would enjoy some homemade dinner rolls and a hamburger since I wouldn't be able to after I was told I had CD. And it was the holiday, so celebrate. Stupid move, now I am miserable taking Benadryl every 4 to 6 hours and putting calamine lotion on just so I can sleep at night. I would itch in the past when I would eat wheat but I never really put it all together until I started researching to figure out what was wrong with me. I started to make an appointment with a dermatologist or allergist but changed my mind, dealing with one doctor is enough for me.

I am now watching everything that goes into my mouth. I am reading the ingredients on all packages. I am looking at wheat as if it were poison.

Oh I did schedule the colonoscopy. Bite the bullet and get this done. uh...

Completed first step

2008-07-05T22:00:00.005-05:00

I completed the first step and made an appointment with a doctor. It was scheduled for mid July. At first that did not seen far away until I had diarrhea for several days. I called and got an appointment that same day. I may be anxious about doctors but when I am sick I will bite the bullet and go. The doctor wanted blood tests and an endoscopy. At first just knowing I had to have the endoscopy set me on ten. I was ready to freak out with fear but then I took a deep breath and focused on the fact that GOD did not give me the spirit of fear. Well, I actually did freak out, then I focused on the moment and went to the lab for blood work the next day.

I seemed to be propelled forward with the need to overcome fear and to get this over with. So I set up the appointment for the endoscopy for a week later. In the days following that I have been up, down, sad, anxious and happy. I was elated because I felt like I had accomplished a great feat in just going to the doctor and the lab. It then hit me, if I am diagnosed with celiac disease I would have to give up all wheat products. My thoughts began to go over the extensive list of products with wheat in it. It overwhelmed and saddened me but I will not let that stop me from getting answers.

Instead of becoming paralyzed and doing nothing. I just keep telling myself to take one day at a time and I will have my answers shortly.

Anxiety over doctors

2008-06-24T15:43:00.006-05:00

My husband has been telling me to go to the doctor and find out what has been wrong with me because my stomach ailments and my body aches have been getting progressively worse. But for me going to the doctor seems to be easier said than done.

Maybe that's because I have been misdiagnosed by at several doctors and treated like a research project by some others. I have been simply told nothing was wrong with me after multiple tests from many different doctors. When I was a child I loved my pediatrician, Dr. Seskin. I was always going in for colds and scrapes and bruises from falls. Every winter I would get a terrible cold just in time for Christmas and or my birthday it was like clock work. I also had some type of stomach problem back then because I remember having to use suppositories. I actually looked forward to getting those small lollipops with the string loop from the doctor. I remember being diagnosed with anemia which got worst during puberty. My hormones were all out of whack I would have cramps so bad that it hurt when people would walk across the floor. I remember a gynecologist gave me something called ponstal (I am not sure if I am spelling it right). When I continued to complain he told me he would have to do an internal scope. It was not what he told me but the way he told me. The tone of his voice was as if I had done something wrong or I was lying about having such pain. After that I suffered in silence month after month.
I have always been lactose intolerant even before we knew what it was. I only have memories of adding lots of ice to my milk before drinking it. I do not remember having stomach issues I just remember being asked all the time why I put ice in my milk and saying it made it taste better.
When my husband and I first got married we would got to his mothers for dinner almost every Sunday and by the time we left I would be bloated, have flatulence and have acid indigestion. I was sick! I started carrying Tums or Rolaids with me. I was the only one getting sick, it was quite strange to say the least.

Oh my goodness, looking back I realize I have had health issues for most of my life. I understand why my husband once told me he thought I was a hypochondriac. I have had so many health issues I could write a long book, but I wont. Just know that I have made an appointment with a gastroenterologist. I severely dislike going to doctors. But I am sick and tired of getting sicker and tired-er. I already know what the problem is but my husband and cousin want me to stop self diagnosing myself. They want a real diagnosis from a real doctor. The running joke between my husband and I is that I am not a doctor but I play one at home. I was very anxious about going to the doctor but after talking to my brother I feel less anxious. Plus there is no sense in worrying about the unknown. If I don't get answers from this doctor I can get a second opinion, right.

Oh well anxiety or not I am going to the doctor.

Being wheat free is a trip

2008-06-23T18:00:00.004-05:00

I have not had any wheat in about a week, my digestive system and my body have been treating me with love and respect. I have not had the big D. I haven't broken out in a funky rash. My sinuses and ears are not congested and my skin is not itchy. However, I am frustrated because I am having major addictive, crack like cravings for bread, buns, biscuits, pancakes, and anything with yeast/wheat combination. I was feeling a little sorry for myself because I couldn't have what I am craving. Then I realized that I had prayed for a long time asking GOD to show me what was wrong with me. There is no way I could remain upset because He showed me what the problem is. I have to admit that it is a problem and I have to figure out how to deal with it. I am grateful to GOD for that answer. I no longer feel like an arthritic lady and that was one of my excuses for not exercising regularly. I guess it takes a while to get rid of laziness because I still haven't started exercising regularly.

Today I weigh 178.5 which is good because I really pigged out this weekend. I ate a lot of candy (caramels and chocolate) and drank beer (oops that has barley in it I should be careful of that also) because we were celebrating my friend's birthday.

I just started reading "Gluten-free girl: How I Found The Food That Loves Me Back & How You Can Too" by Shauna James Ahern. I just checked it out from the library today so I will see if there is good information in it. I hope it helps!

In order to make change I must admit I have a problem

2008-06-20T13:27:00.003-05:00

It is so easy to recognize when other people have issues, but when it comes to self I sometimes have problems recognizing my issues. I can tell my friends and family how they should exercise and what they should and should not eat so that they do not develop health issues. I give them all kinds of advice. “You should start out walking an 18 minute mile everyday. This will get you started. Then you can work your way up to 3 mile in 3 weeks. Be sure you eat breakfast. Do not skip meals, eat 6 small meals. You don’t want your body to think it is in starvation. If it thinks it is in starvation it will begin to store fat cells and you will actually gain instead of losing.” I go on and on about adding strength training. I get all excited about telling others how they should get into shape; all the while I am 40 pounds over weight and keep yo-yoing 5 to 10 pounds.

I keep fighting my way to 145 hitting a wall at 177. I am not enlisting my own advice I keep telling myself this is the first day of a new journey but it keeps feeling like the movie Ground Hogs Day. If you have not seen the movie I’ll make a long story short. In the movie the same day is repeated over and over again. Hmm, cam I enlist my own advice?

Well we shall see over the next month I will be keeping track of my efforts and being more accountable. In order to make change I must admit I have a problem.