a humid morning.

Good humid morning everyone,
The newest adventure in my weight loss challenge was to get my butt moving. I told you yesterday that we bought bikes to do family rides. We went on our first ride last night. We had soccer practice last night for Pj and as soon as we got home Shawn had everything waiting and was ready to go. I threw on my shoes and off we went. We decided to head to the nearby Wendy's to pick up dinner and we packed an empty backpack to bring it back home. We left the house and we did a bunch of downhill coasting which was nice. The breeze felt nice and the kids were having fun. About 7 min. into our ride I had to start peddling a little to get up a small hill. Good Lord my legs were burning and the sweating started.  We got to another flat area where I was able to catch my breath and we made it to Wendy's. We ordered our food and headed home.
The ride home I just wanted to go straight and avoid having to go back uphill again. We saw firetrucks up ahead so we took that darn loop. I made it without to much huffing and puffing back up that hill. We got to where we would normally cross to go home but there was a pretty bad accident so we had to detour which meant more hills. We made it home and my heart was beating fast, I was sweating, and I felt good. I made it on my first bike ride without falling or killing myself. Yay!!!
So Wendy's had a whole new menu of salads that look pretty yummy. I ordered the chicken, pecan , and apple salad. When I got home I looked at the pecan packaging after throwing it on the salad. Man, it was loaded with sugar. I picked every single one back off. I looked at the dressing before I went crazy with it and it too was loaded with sugar. I cut a lemon in half and used that with some balsamic instead. So I ended up with lettuce, some chicken breast, and apple.  It was good but next time I will inspect the labels more before I buy something going out.
I also got another message saying the comment section is still not working. I redid the setting again and hope we are back in action. I think it is best to comment anonymously and add your name in the comment. 
Well off to my day job but today is my Friday.
Ali

My doc appt.

I went to the doctor last night for my first weigh in yesterday. I did awesome. I lost 9.8 lbs  My blood work for the most part came back great. My cholesterol good count was a tad low and my bad was a tad high. Nothing to worry about I just need to eat more nuts, fish, and spinach. Now one thing they were taking about changing was my diet based on my blood work. Some blood types do better with higher protein and some better with more carbs.  I am already doing high protein so the doc said to just keep doing what I am doing. He was a little concerned because I lost so much this week but won't worry unless I do it again next week. I do have to journal everything to make sure I am getting enough calories in each day (no less than 1200)
The van saga continues. I picked my van up on Friday after it had been in the shop all week. The front tire was making an odd noise which got worse over the weekend. I took it back on Monday and my whole front axle and break system had to be replaced. It was done last night so I went to get it. Guess what? I get in and the radio is now broken and and the steering wheel is making a noise. Are you kidding me? So my van is back in the shop for a few more days but at least they gave me a rental van to tote all of my babysitting kids around without a problem. Normally I would stop and eat after each issue as a stress relief but I am proud of myself. I didn't eat bad once during the ordeal. I am taking it in style and the guys at the place even complimented me for not getting mean or crazy. What can I do than just roll with the punches? Nothing.
So my breathing tip from last week where you breath through your nose in for 5 seconds and out for 5 seconds makes me feel so much better. The doctor is trying to help me deal with why I emotionally eat so this week when I breath in I am going to think of all the good things that are presently in my life. When I exhale I am going to let go of issues from my past. I have no control over anything that has happened so I need to just let it go and forget it. So I will be practicing that this week.
Ok I think I have written a novel so I better just end this. Have a great Wed.
Ali

week one down

I made it through one whole week. I know I shouldn't be that excited but I didn't cheat once, not one little thing. I drank all my water, took my vitamins, exercised 3 times, and ate right on track. I also lost a total of 10 pounds to show for all of my work this week.
My theory on people saying the first week is all water weight. You still had that weight on your body and it needed to come off. If it's water fine but it still has to go. I know it will slow down from now on but my Doc. said I should look for 2-4 pounds a week if I stay strict. I go to the doc today and will get my blood results, weigh in, get my measurements done, and get info for the next week. Hopefully they don't change to much because I am getting this way down. The only thing they may do i add in more protein or carbs depending on my loss and blood work.
So I am trying to change my life this time as far as exercise. Yesterday we bought a bike for me (Shawn already had one) and this cool trailer for Pj so he can go with us. We had a packed night last night of football and company but tonight we are going on our first family ride.

I am also thinking of joining Shawn's co ed softball team. I have never ever played softball in my life. I think I have played wiffle ball for fun at the beach but that is it for my ball to bat talent. I am nervous but I might just do it. It is with a group of friends and very low key. What do ya think? Should I just do it? 

Ok well off to clean my house and do the dreaded laundry. 

Ali 

Happy Monday everyone!

I woke up this morning in a great mood. I am not sure if it because I woke up to a clean bedroom (I took an hour to clean my bedroom for the first time in a month. There were clothes everywhere. The world is my closet) or if it was great sleep, who knows but I feel great.
We had a great weekend. Sat. we had Pj's first soccer game. It was so cute and funny to watch all of these little 5 year olds fight over the ball. Pj did really well but by about 30 min. into the game he walked over to us and told us he was tired instead of playing. Shawn told him he would give him a quarter if he kicked the ball and Pj went right back to playing and of course kicked the ball.

Sat. night we went to one of Shawn's coworkers son's bday parties and I did great. No birthday cake and I wasn't even tempted. Yay me!

Last night in the 90 degree weather Shawn and I went for out walk on a new path. Let's just say I don't think we will be doing that walk again. There is a bike path behind our house which is awesome. One area of the path turns to dirt and foes under the freeway. This area has become a great hangout for the local homeless people. It smells so bad like urine and there was a guy that was either sound asleep or dead. Shawn and I were not sticking around to find out. We walked a little faster to get out of there. After the freeway part you get to a dirt field where a ton of bunnies live. Well every time a bunny would move I would jump or scream. It was funny after the fact but I was freaked out. Good thing is we went for a long walk and I think my heart rate was elevated even more because I was freaking out. 

I did great on my eating all weekend and weighed in this morning at 215.8 for a total of 9 pounds since last Tues. My official weigh in is tomorrow afternoon when I go back to the Doc. I also get my blood work back tomorrow  and am interested to see how my cholesterol and all that stuff is. 

Well of to get things done before it is a million degrees outside. 

Have a great Monday, 

Ali 

busy day

Well I am posting at night because I have a very busy day ahead of me tomorrow. I am getting blood work done in the morning, grocery shopping,working in Pj's classroom for a bit, and the boys are starting a bowling league in the evening.
My day was a little stressful but I made it through. Yay me!!! I think I drank about 2 gallons of iced tea to get through but I did it. I bought a new van about a month ago and I had to take it in for a squeaky noise in the break pedal. Well That was on Tues. and I still don't have it back. The good thing is it will be good as new when I get it back but the bad news is it is taking forever for them to fix it. The other good news is it is under warranty so free to me. The guy at the car place is driving me crazy and won't return calls so I end up on the phone for an hour tracking him down. So glad it will be over tomorrow.
So as far as my eating
breakfast- coffee and a protein bar
snack- carrots and raw cashews
lunch- half of an avocado mixed in a bowl with some chicken an then lemon, pepper, and salt added. Mmmm so good.
Snack- raw cashews
dinner- in and out burger protein style.
snack- not sure because I still haven't had it yet.
Shawn and I went on another walk today and we did almost 2 miles. I wasn't planning on going but after dinner we had no plans so off to walk we went.
I am looking forward to seeing how I do over the weekend. Sat. Pj has his first soccer game and the boys are going to a skateboarding competition to watch. The busy life of a Mommy.
Have a great one,
Ali

Beaming with a little pride

I am a little sore this morning. Why you ask, Well yesterday I did an intense sweaty cleaning of the house in the morning for over an hour and after dinner last night Shawn and I went for a 35 min. walk. Neither activity was all that intense but it was a big step for me. I hate exercise in any form. I was going to walk the night before but convinced myself that I didn't want to. Yesterday Shawn said "hey, let's go for a walk after dinner". I was actually excited to get my tennis shoes on and go. The cool part was it gave Shawn and I a little along talk time without to many interruptions. Pj did go with us and ride his bike but he was a trooper and just liked to point everything out to us.

For my eating yesterday I had
Breakfast- 1 egg scrambled with spinach
snack- protein bar
lunch- leftover spinach salad but I added some chicken and a little more balsamic.
snack- I had a coffee with half and half for some dairy and caffeine of course:)
dinner- baked fish and Brussels sprouts (recipe below)
snack- Greek yogurt with peaches and honey

I felt great all day and didn't have to many struggles. I felt like I had a ton of energy all day. I did wake up this morning with a little weakness and headache but I think that is just the carb reduction kicking in. All in all I did great and I weighed in this morning at 219 so down a little more.

Well off to the busy day ahead of me. Have a great one,
Ali

Brussels sprouts
1 lb. of brussels sprouts cleaned and halved
2-3 strips of raw bacon cut up into small pieces.
EVOO
throw the brussels sprouts and bacon in a pan, drizzel with EVOO, add salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 45 min. at 350 degrees. Super easy and a yummy side.

I made it through day 1:)

I woke up this morning feeling great, well rested and ready for day 2. Yesterday was good except I did find myself wanting to munch and I felt hungry even though I was eating. I had a great day and stayed in my 50 carb range without a problem. Here was my meals for the day
Breakfast- 1 egg scrambled with spinach and a little granulated garlic
snack- a protein bar from the nutritionist
lunch- a chicken breast and some green beans. I did the bagged pre cut chicken for salads because I don't have time to cook chicken in the middle of the afternoon threw it in a bowl with some green beans and microwaved.
snack - another protein bar
dinner- baked chicken thighs with turmeric, a baked sweet potato with a little cinnamon and I can't believe it's not butter spray, and the yummiest salad (recipe below)
snack- 2 % plain Greek yogurt with honey and berries. Soooo yummy. Shawn even ate some of it and loved it.
I did the grape juice before dinner and bed because I finally got to the market late in the afternoon. Don't know if it did anything but it was a yummy sweet treat.

So that was my day and I drank a ton of iced tea (caffeine free) I weighed in this morning at 200.4 I know it's water weight and it slows down but a 4 lb. drop in 2 days is an awesome motivator.
Have a great day everyone,
Ali

Mozzarella and spinach salad

these are the ingredients but there are no actual amounts it is whatever you like to taste and depending on how many you are feeding
-baby spinach a handful per person
-cherry tomatoes  I love the ones called Cherub by Nature sweet, they seem sweeter and last a little longer.

-Fresh mozzarella balls (the ones that come in water) cut into chunks as many as you want
-a little fresh basil sliced really finely maybe 3 leaves for 2 people
-a squeeze of lemon juice (I used half a lemon for 2)
-a little EVOO to coat it all
-salt and pepper to taste.
If you want to you can add a splash of balsamic vinegar.
That's it and it was sweet, creamy, and yummy all in one. Shawn added a little dressing to his because that's just how he is but I thought it was good with the splash of balsamic added.