The results are in....

Today was the last day of my cleanse.  I, by no means, was perfect.  I tried and for the most part I was successful.  There were days that I stuck to the plan and then there were days,,,well, I didn't!  But what I can say is that I lost weight.  I have lost inches. And more importantly, I feel better.

I still struggle every day at every meal.  I struggle on the way to work.  Do you know that I pass 2 McDonald's, 1 Starbucks, 1 Sonic, 1 Dairy Queen, 2 Shipley's, and a handful of mom and pop restaurants on my way to school? It is a constant battle just in the 30 minute drive to work.  

I have learned that meal planning is the key.  I tried both ways.  I meal prepped all of my lunches and snacks the first week.  Things went smoothly.  There weren't as many temptations compared to the second week.  The second week I did not plan or prepare for the whole week.  Most days I made my lunch that morning. One morning I woke up late.  My thought process on eating went out the window.  I rationalized what I could eat that day.  I will get a salad from across the street.  That is not too bad except I will get Ranch dressing and there is cheese.  Then I thought for breakfast I will stop and get fast food.  The moment I thought of stopping tI thought about getting a frozen coffee.  Then I thought about me snacks.  I had none ready.  It was the first time that I could see how this spirals out of control.  I stopped and reassessed what I could bring from home.  I made good choices and made it through the day with minimal damage.  

I have learned that I am not great at blogging every day.  I tried.   But life got busy.  Here is my last comment before I give you my results.  I was not perfect.  I had days that I made huge mistakes and others that were flawless.  I have even started learning about macros.  But every day I got up and tried again.  I didn't wait for Monday to "start over".  I started over the next meal.  It made it so much easier having a group of people that working towards to the same goals.

So with that being said here are my results.  After cheats and no exercise.  Here is it is:

Starting Weight: 168.2
Final weight: 162.8
Starting Pants size-14
Ending pant size-12

Arms-.5 inches gone
Waist-1.5 inches gone
Belly(across the belly button)-3 inches gone
Hips-.5 inches gone
Pounds-5.4 pounds gone.

I saw a quote that said, "They are not lost.  They are gone. I have no desire to find them again."

I know as a society that we look at the scale to see what our number is.  I know that I do.  But we need to start looking at the whole picture.   I lost pounds and I am excited about that.  But I can't help but to wish for the number on the scale to be smaller.  But to see the inches gone, my clothes fitting better, feeling better, and all of the compliments makes it all worth it.

My husband said, "I'm gonna have to start loving less of you."  After figuring out what the heck he was talking about and having a good chuckle, I felt good.

So, wherever you are in your healthy lifestyle journey keep going.  Find a friend and keep going.

If you would like to know about Advocare leave me a message on here or on my Facebook page.  If you would like to order or look around you can go to my site.

I gotta go.  The doorbell just rang.  My Advocare order just got here!!!

Get Up and Dust yourself Off-Day 3

So, if you read my post from yesterday you will be relieved to know that I am doing MUCH better today.  I have stuck to the plan.

Today is the last day of STAAR testing and that makes me happy.  The students have done a great job!  The amount of pressure that is put on this test is a little crazy!  We had students coming in sick to their stomach, because they we worried they wouldn't do good.  We should have kids that stressed out over a test.

Anyway, here is how today went:

Weight:167.2-This is what happens when you eat everything in sight!  You gain a pound that you lost the day before.

Breakfast-
      I had another Meal Replacement Shake.  I really enjoy them and they are super convenient.  When I don't get up early these are really helpful.  

Snack-
     Cucumbers

Lunch-
     chicken, broccoli and cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.  I also had raspberries. Today was day 3 of this meal.  Kind of glad it is over.  It was good but ready for a change.  Tomorrow's will be wonderful.

Unplanned Snack-3 chips with buffalo dip, mini butterfinger.  Thank goodness those are gone.

Dinner- I made Turkey Taco Bowls.  You can find the recipe here.  

The day was not perfect but sooooo much better!

Oh STAAR test...you messed up my day-Day 2

Weight: 166.2

 I started off with all of the normal stuff: water, Spark, Probiotic pills, fiber drink.  On my way to work I stopped at McDonald's for our free teacher breakfast for the STAAR test.  I knew I wasn't going to eat it.  I really wanted the apple slices though.  I went in got my free breakfast and continued on to work.  I gave my Egg McMuffin and apple juice away and had my Meal Replacement shake.  Everything was going fine. 

7:50-Breakfast:Chocolate Mint Brownie Shake

9:15-Nature Grain Breakfast blueberry biscuits.

  

These little guys are 230 calories for the whole package.  Not a good choice for a snack.  The test started stressing me out.  I ate it all.  

9:45 1 mini Butterfinger.  What is wrong with me?  I did it without thinking.  

10:45- 1/4 cup of raspberries.  There is one good choice for the day.

11:45- Chicken, sweet potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower mix.  I also had a few of my strawberries.  

12:10-I went to the STAAR spa that is hosted by the Kindergarten team.  I had a few carrots and 5 chips with dip.  I bypassed the cake, but ohhh the dip.  

12:45- 2 bites of BBQ(I told you my day was messed up)

4:00-the rest of my strawberries

6:30-spinach salad with chicken and raspberry vinaigrette.

7:30- 2 bites of ice cream and one bite of Reese's peanut butter cup(I threw the rest away...it hurt)

 I MESSED UP TODAY!  It is kind of embarrassing to write this all down, but I am.  I am using this blog to help others (not that today was helpful) but to also help myself.  I am trying to get out of the mind set that if I mess up once in the day that the whole day is ruined and I can eat what I want.  I am working on it.  I did better today than I have in the past.  

I have one more day of STAAR testing.  I am using it to prove to myself that I can do this. I don't have to let stress and other factors of life rule my diet.  The day is over.  Tomorrow is a new start.  I will own tomorrow!

So it begins...One month of marriage and day 1 of the cleanse

So, one month ago today I married my best friend!  It was along time coming but it finally happened.  We got hitched!




One month later I have decided to start the Advocare cleanse.  I almost waited and started tomorrow because he wanted to go out to celebrate making it a month!  LOL!  But I didn't postpone it.  I started today.  There will always be celebrations and get togethers. I am choosing to start the cleanse today and if we go out tonight or go to a movie I will make wise choices.  If we go to the movies I might sneak some fruit in.  I will be the first to admit that I will "cheat" (on food, not my husband).  I know I will.  But as long as I have that meal and then get back on track I will be ok.  So happy one month anniversary to us!



Advocare Cleanse
First weigh in 168.2
Pant size 14

Eating
Day 1
6:20-AM packet of pills

6:45-Fiber drink(soooo much better than before.  It has no flavor, it doesn't thicken, and is not gritty)

7:50-Apple; In the past the fiber drink has made me so full that I didn't eat a lot for breakfast.  I will be changing that tomorrow.  I got pretty hungry around 9:15.

9:30-1/4 Cup of nuts

11:30-chicken, broccoli and cauliflower, sweet potatoes and strawberries

2:30-Apple

Here is where it could have gone south, quickly.

My sweet husband wanted to go out for our 1 month anniversary.  He decided to take me to the Cheesecake Factory and then to see The Fast and the Furious 7.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I was fairly good.

6:00-1 Chicken Samosa-DELICIOUS!  I could have eaten all four of them and then some.
         Chicken BBQ Salad.  The only truly bad thing on there was the ranch.  Everything else was in check.  I did have the ranch on the side so I ate way less, but over all I was proud of my choices so far........
and then there was the dreaded question.  Did you save room for dessert?  Well of course I had room...I just had a salad.  But, believe it or not we did not have any cheesecake. Epic moment!

I still had one more hurdle....POPCORN...from the movie theater....with butter.  I DID IT!  I didn't get anything.  No butter, no popcorn...nothing!

10:20 Herbal pill.

It was a great day!  I drank my water and then some.  I had some self-control and I got to spend the evening with my husband!  One to day two...

Leave me a message for tips or encouragement or just to tell me to shut up!  Have a great day!

3 Day Eating Plan

So starting on Monday, I am going to really try to watch what I eat.  To do that I have to have a plan.  Now, you may look at this and think, "How boring!  She eats the same foods over and over."  I do!  It is easier for me. I want to use my left overs and not let food go bad.  I usually plan for about 4-5 days.  But making a list makes the grocery store easier and meal planing easier.  I have also made my choices and it is a lot easier to stick with those choices if I have planned it out.  For a list of foods to choice from, you can find it here.

Advocare Cleanse

This is what you will need for the Advocare cleanse.  

It is $36.95 and you can order it here.  

People are very curious about the cleanse and how it works.  

1. First and foremost, it is a VERY MILD cleanse!!!  There is no running to the bathroom every few minutes (ain't nobody got time for that!)
2. This is an EATING cleanse.  The food that you are putting into your body is cleansing you!
3. There is a fiber drink, a probiotic pill, and herbal cleanse pills involved.  Those, along with the food you put into your body, will help you clean out your body and help you lose weight.  

Most people's goal when doing the cleanse is to lose weight.  But, in all reality the ultimate goal is change how we eat.  

Now, onto the important question, "What can I eat?" 

Proteins
• Muscle Gain™
• Pro 20®
• Chicken Breast
• Eggs
• Game (bison, buffalo, elk, etc.)
• Ground Beef or Turkey (≥ 93% lean)
• Lean Fish (tilapia, red snapper, cod, etc.)
• Lean Beef or Pork Loin
• Salmon
• Tofu
• Tuna (fresh or packed in water)
• Turkey Breast

Vegetables (Lightly cooked, grilled, steamed or raw)
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Dark Leafy Greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard, etc.)
• Eggplant
• Green Beans
• Onion
• Peppers
• Salad Greens (spring mix, romaine, etc.)
• Tomato
• Zucchini/Squash

Complex Carbs
• Beans
• Lentils
• Oatmeal
• Quinoa
• Potatoes (any variety)
• Whole grains (rice, pasta or bread)

Fruit
• Apple
• Banana
• Berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
• Cantaloupe
• Citrus Fruits (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, etc.)
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Mango
• Melon
• Pear
• Pineapple

Healthy Fats (In moderation)
• Avocado
• Nut Butter (no added sugar, oil or salt)
• Nuts or seeds (raw or roasted – no added sugar, oil or salt)
• Oil (extra-virgin olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, flaxseed, coconut, macadamia nut, grapeseed, etc.)

Limit or Avoid
• Soda (including diet)
• Alcohol
• Creamy sauces
• High-calorie salad dressings
• Sugar
• Candy
• Fried Food
• Processed food
• White flour
• Partially hydrogenated oils

If you look at the tabs above you will see one for recipes.  As I find new ones I will place them on there.  So, check it out and come back often.  

I Really Like to Eat!!!

Food!  I love food!  I fell in love with food so many years ago.  The problem was my obsession with food.  I wanted to see a friend, we went to dinner.  If we wanted to celebrate something, we ate.  I was bored, I ate.  I remember at a young age, maybe 8 or 9, waking up in the middle of the night to go get something to eat so no one else would see me.   I still struggle with food.  But I have learned (and am still learning) that I do not have to base my life around food.

Whether you are doing the 24 day challenge, just the cleanse, or just on here for some support and meal suggestions we need to look at the food we eat.  Listed below are foods that we can and should not eat. 

Good Foods to Eat:

We have toxins in our body.  Our job this week is to starve those toxins.  

• Fresh/Raw Fruits and Veggies-think of an SOS scrubbing pad.  fresh/raw fruits and vegetables scrub the toxins out of our body.  
• 100% Whole Grain Rice (Brown rice, Wild rice), Quinoa
• Oatmeal
• Chicken, Fish, Turkey Breast, Ground Turkey
• Almond Milk, Rice Milk
• Healthy Fats: Avocado, Olives/Olive Oil, Raw Nuts/Seeds-the key here is unsalted and without any coating.  
• Peanut or Almond Butter (no sugar or oil added)
• Beans, Lentils
• Chicken or Vegetable Broths
• Hummus (without the oil)
• Fresh Diluted Juices, Herbal Teas
• Garlic, Spices, Herbs, Fresh Salsa, Taco Seasoning (low sodium)
• For cooking, use water, broth, lemon juice, or the non-stick spray with no calories/fat.  Oil is NOT your friend.  

Foods to Avoid:

Remember those toxins that we talked about that live in our body?  These foods keep the toxins alive.  Close your eyes.  Wait open them, you can't read with your eyes closed.   Imagine a fire.  Now, throw fuel on a fire.  That is what these foods do to the toxins in our body.
• Alcohol-If you are a teacher I know it will be hard, but you can do it.  Give me 10 days!
• Coffee, Sodas, Energy Drinks-If you need energy drink Spark or Slam.
• White foods/Starches (e.g. white pasta, bagels, white bread, white rice, processed foods, crackers, chips)
• Sauces
• Cooking with Oils It is best to cook with Water or Broth.  Remember oil is NOT your friend. 
• Sugar, Honey, Desserts – except for fresh fruits – these are good sugars on the 10-day Cleanse)
• Cheese & Mushrooms-Both are considered molds and will help keep toxins alive.
• If at all possible, avoid Dairy Products-cow’s milk, yogurt, butter, etc. Dairy products contain lots of sugars and will feed the toxins in our body.
• Fatty Foods, Fried Foods, Fast Foods, Meat with skin or breading
• Ground beef or fatty meats. Turkey meat is much better and you can season it to taste!
• Salad dressings-Dressings have fat and oil.  And what have we learned?  Oil is NOT our friend.  You can use salsa or fresh squeezed lemon juice and spices instead.
• Canned fruit or vegetables
• Dried fruit coated with sugar
• Instant rice or oatmeal

The following items are optional because they are not a low glycemic carb. For best results, hold off for 10 days:

• Sprouted Grain Bread or Tortillas (Ezekiel is a great brand)
• 100% Whole Grain Pasta
• 100% Whole Wheat Bread-Make sure it says 100% or else it’s just white bread in brown clothing.

Advocare-Day 8

Back to the fiber muffin!

So far, I have not lost a lot of pounds but I have lost inches.  I will post those on day 10.  But, while on this journey I have learned lots of little lessons.  I have also learned to try new recipes.  I LOVE egg salad sandwiches.  But while on the cleanse you cannot have bread so I had to adapt.  I put it in a lettuce wrap.  I think I LOVE them even more now.  I made ice cream out of fruit last night.  And I enjoyed it.  So, all of that to say TRY SOMETHING NEW!  Somewhere out there someone once told me that your taste buds change every 7 years.  I hated brussel sprouts, now I eat them 2-3 times a week. 

fiber muffins-2
strawberry avocado spinach salad
fruit bowl (strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, pineapple)
sunflower seeds
pistachios
spinach salad with strawberries, blackberries, and grapes
hard boiled egg
brussel sprouts

Advocare-Day 7

Here is what I ate:
Meal replacement shake
ground turkey and brown rice in lettuce
Chicken breast
Strawberry avocado spinach salad (see recipes)
one ingredient ice cream (see recipes)

A little discouraged today.  I weighed and I GAINED a pound.  We shall see in the end.

Advocare-Day 6

I didn't post yesterday.  It was just one of those days!  It wasn't the best eating day for me.  I cheated a  little, but in hind sight what I didn't eat was impressive. 

I started my morning off by taking the GRE.  I made sure to take my Spark for mental focus.  I took the Jeep to get fixed, walked home about .5 miles, cleaned, and then went to a BBQ.  Eating was going so well until then.  But, like I said what I didn't eat or drink was impressive.  I passed up baked beans, hot dogs, ranch dip, alcohol, and probably most impressive coffee milkshake made with blue bell ice cream, Jameson, Baileys, and other yummy stuff.  Here is what I did eat yesterday:

Spark
3 hard boiled eggs
pineapples
2 peppermints for test
chicken salad on celery
olives
grapefruit
braut no bun
brussel sprouts
chicken leg with BBQ sauce :(
5 deviled eggs :(
random veggies with no dip :)

Weight:162

Advocare-Day 5

What I learned today:  Water makes you feel full!

Today, we took our wonderful 4th graders to Austin.  We left Pasadena at 6:45am and arrived in Dallas at 10:00.  We toured the visitors center, then the capitol, ate lunch, and then went to the museum.We got back on the bus and left Austin back to Pasadena where we arrived at 6:45pm.  Twelves hours EXACTLY!  I had already come to terms with I wasn't going to be able to drink all of my water today.  There was too much travel time without a bathroom.  But I had NO IDEA how much the water I drink helps fill me up! Here is my menu for today:

Meal Replacement Shake
bell peppers
celery
chicken salad
grapes
apple
salad from subway with veggies and turkey and Greek salad dressing(cheated a little there)
pineapple

Water-40 oz
weight-162
I will post some measurements on day 10

The past 4 days I have NOT been hungry.  On our way home today I was hungry.  There was so many choices.  I could have had combos, snack mix, chips, skittles, pretzels, and list goes on and on.  But I knew we were getting close to home so I waited. 

On a different note...we need to do something about our youth.  They have no clue about healthy eating.  Now, I know today was kind of a special day.  But let me tell you what I saw not just today but most days. 

Chips-instead of buying the individual bag or dividing out into baggies, parents are giving them a whole bag of chips.  And then they return to school the next day with a new bag.  Drives me crazy!
Sodas-so many kids today had a 1/2 liter of coke today.  PLUS other sugary drinks. 
Candy and snacks- too many to name.  Again, I know not everyone is going to bring celery to school.  Heck, it was hard enough for me to that today! But, I think parents need to start teaching their children about nutrition.  I may have to think of an assignment to do in the computer lab. 

Advocare-Day 4

What a bad day!  And it started so early too!  There was running, hitting, scratching, biting, chair flipping, and more running all before 8:00 AM. If there was ever a time I wanted to "stress eat" it was this morning.  I wanted the coffee I smelled, the cheese toast in the office, even the stupid jellybeans in the jar that I pass all day long.  I went to my classroom, calmed down, and drank some water. 

This evening on my way home Matthew called and asked what we were having for dinner.  I told him chicken and vegetables.  He said it sounded too healthy, he wanted pizza.  I had no desire to cook and I thought, "Maybe not pizza, but I could do subway."  I had marinated chicken and veggies.   Matthew had marinated chicken stuffed with bacon and pepper jack cheese.   The point is, you have to consistently have to make decisions.  Stress eat or Stop, take a deep breath, and relax? Pizza or chicken and veggies?  Bacon or no bacon?  Sometimes it is harder than other times (I couldn't resist the bacon).  But you have to do it for your self. 

Today's menu:
Meal replacement shake
hard boiled egg
ground turkey stuffed bell pepper (leftover)
cucumbers
grapes
apple
marinated chicken
bacon-2 slices
asparagus
salad with raspberry vinaigrette
10 pistachios

water-120 oz
weight-162

Tomorrow is going to be a challenge.  We are going on a field trip to Austin all day.  Most go and start thinking of what I can bring. 

Advocare-Day 3

Day 3

If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?

If you pick up a piece of chocolate and there is no one there to see it, can you eat it?

We have a screen printing business (for now) and there was a shirt debacle this evening.  Long story short I had to run to Walmart to get a shirt.  I know this sounds ridiculous, but do you know how much food is there.  PLUS, there is a McDonald's inside.  I have a very well kept secret...I LOVE their hot fudge sundaes with nuts, $1.19 with tax.  It  has been easier to do the 24 day challenge with the great group of girls I work with at school.  They are always around and they are consistently looking and asking what you are eating.  No hiding from them.  But now, now I am alone.  No one to see me.  I have decided to skip the sundae.  But there is so much more.  I walked past the bakery and the snack aisle over to get the shirt.  I focused on the shirt.  I was good.  I just needed to go and pay and get the heck out of dodge.

Today's menu:
Fiber muffin-1.5
hard boiled egg-1
black olives-20
Buffalo wing turkey burger-1
bowl of strawberries, blackberries, and grapes
muffin by Tammy(recipe to come later)
Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
salad with raspberry pecan dressing

water-120 oz
weight-164

I didn't eat anything from Walmart!!!

Advocare-Day 2

Day 2

I ALMOST ATE A COOKIE!!!! 

It was in my hand and I was talking.  I had no idea how it got there.  I was talking and not paying attention and it almost touched my lips.  I know that if it had actually touched my lips I would have eaten that oh-so-delicious cookie...Darn those girl scouts!!!! 

It would not have been the end of the world had I eaten the cookie, but what I think I am having to do is retrain my brain.  That's all, retrain my brain!  Just because there is food sitting out or hidden in an emergency shoe box in the nurse's office, I don't need to go and eat it.  I do it without thinking.  I am not hungry.

Today was similar to yesterday. It has been easier at dinner because Matthew has had to work the past two nights.  The next three days will be the test.  But, back to today!

2 fiber muffins
buffalo wing turkey burger
salad
blackberries
cucumbers
strawberries
10 pistachios
grilled chicken with Frank's wrapped in lettuce
sweet peas

Water-120 oz.
Weight-165

Advocare-Day 1

Day 1

So, I have completely stressed myself out. 

I hate drinking the fiber drink, but I can do it.  I found a recipe that mixes the fiber packet  into a muffin recipe. SO MUCH EASIER TO EAT!!!  And it made me really full. There is nothing I can do about it now...just keep on.  Here is how my day went.

5:30 am-2 fiber muffins and Spark and 24 oz of water before I left
8:00 am-1 hard boiled egg
10:30 am-1 cup of cucumbers
11:30-chicken salad lettuce wraps and grapes
           Chicken salad-canned chicken with 1 TSP OLIVE OIL mayo, relish, 1/2 of hard boiled egg,
            a few grapes.  Spoon this into romaine lettuce.
2:00-1 1/2 hard boiled eggs
4:00- 1 apple
5:30- chicken on salad with Frank's Red Hot Sauce, broccoli and cauliflower.

I have felt FULL all day.  Looking at this I might have had a little too much protein and not enough fruits and veggies.

Water-about 100 oz 

Starting weight-165

Here is the muffin recipe if you cannot do the drink:

Fiber Muffin Recipe

If you absolutely cannot do the fiber drink

6 packages Fiber
1 3/4 cup Whole Wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
Mix dry ingredients together.
ADD:
1/3 cup honey
1 cup applesauce- the kind without sugar added
2 egg whites
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup soy milk- can substitute milk
Stir this into the dry ingredients and blend together.
FOLD IN 1 large chopped apple. Spoon into muffin tin sprayed with non-stick spray. This makes 12 muffins, and you may pile the batter up as they do not raise much.
Bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes.
Cool muffins.
Place 6 muffins in bag and freeze for the last 3 days of your Herbal Cleanse.
Eat 2 muffins a day for the first three days and 2 muffins a day for the last 3 days.

24 Day Challenge

So, I have been selling and using Advocare products for almost a year.  Nothing major, mainly the Spark!  I, with a few of my crazy wonderful friends and co-workers, have decided to take the challenge...the 24 day challenge.  We were going to start in January, but decided we needed to get back into the swing of things at work.  Then February, well it was Valentine's Day. March...ummmm, Spring Break.  We are teachers and deserved Spring Break! So here it is April Fool's Day.  I thought about telling them all April Fool's and that I wasn't going to start until May, but thought for my own safety I shouldn't do that.  I am going to do me best to blog about this experience for a couple of reasons. 

1. I have some friends and family members that are very skeptical about the challenge. So for them, I want to show them that it can be done!
2.  Even if there is only 1 person reading this then it might hold me accountable for what I am eating!!!  I am using it as my food diary.
3.  I would love to help people as they are ready.  I have lost over 50 pounds, but I had to do it when I was ready (See my Boring All About Me story). The picture is shortly after my "moment" and Easter 2012. 

Boring All About Me

Maybe I should tell you a little about me and my story.  If you don't care skip ahead.  It won't hurt my feelings, heck I will never know. 

This is kind of a boring story.  I had a good childhood.  Yes, my parents are divorced and mom and I moved a couple of times, but I had great friends and family.  I went to college and gained the freshman 15 plus another 15-20 the other 4 years I was there (Yes, it took me 5 years to graduate and I enjoyed every minute of it!) After I left Stephen F. Austin I got my first "real" job.  I had money, well kind of and I was tired!  Working 8-10 hours a day took a lot of me.  I mean, where was my nap?  I missed watching my favorite soap and then napping.  The money and living by myself contributed to my new fast food addiction.  I didn't want to cook for just one person.  Time went on and and so did my weight. My family and friends saying,"Maybe we should try this diet." irritated the crap out of me.  I took as a personal insult.  They were trying to be helpful, but I thought I was fine (you tend to not look in the mirror or just look at your face).

People have always told me there was THAT moment.  You know, the one where you realize you are a fat@#*.  I had chaperoned a couple of drill team girls to a dream location...Hawaii with HTE! We took the girls "hiking" up Diamond Head.  First of all, who goes hiking in Hawaii.  Second, this was NOT a hike. Here is what http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/oahu/diamond-head/ says:

The 0.7-mile hike up Diamond Head is considered a moderate climb.

It’ll take about an hour to reach the summit, and half that time for the return. The trail climbs the inside slope of Diamond Head for about 0.6 miles. It’s a switchback trail with the mountain on one side and a railing on the other. After a lookout point that doubles as a rest stop, the trail takes a steep upward ascent through a series of stairs and tunnels. The last set of stairs is a 99-step climb—just take it slow and steady—that eventually leads to a World War II bunker. From there, the stairs reach an end and you step up to some of the finest panoramic views on Oahu. Take a short walk around and savor the moment. On a clear day, you see forever. Standing atop the lookout, viewing Oahu’s entire leeward side, feeling the trade winds and hearing waves crashing far below, one can’t help but feel humbled to be on this glorious island.

A MODERATE climb.  They have lost their minds.  I made it, but those last 99 steps almost killed me. 

Side note: Thank you Mr. Jeffery for "coaching" me through it.  You never knew how much you and HTE meant to me!  Thank you!

Once I was up there I saw the most beautiful place that God had created.  As I stood there, winded, looking out to the ocean, I thought, "I almost missed this because I couldn't make it up the stairs." That was my first moment.  I started eating better and lost about 30 pounds.

My second moment came when Matthew and I went to Colorado.  We went to the mountains with my dad and step-mom (I need to do a study on my self between the correlation of me and mountains).  Matthew is like a little kid.  He wants to jump off of and climb everything.  We drove the the "top" of the mountain.  You could park your car and go look around.  Matthew found a trail that would take you a mile above sea level and said, "Let's go!"  Before I could say anything we were off.  Again, I made, but I was huffing and puffing.  I thought I was in so much better shape since Hawaii.  And that is when the next phase of my life of eating healthy and exercising began. 

So here I am 50 pounds lighter, but I still have more to go.  It will be a big climb, but I am sure I can get to the top!!!