Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

Well, I joined Weight Watchers December 31st. I am so excited! Weight Watchers just started a new program. It's called Points Plus. It's very well-rounded. It takes into account protein, fiber, fat & carbs. But it makes it easy! I like it because it's all about eating healthfully and being active. It's a lifestyle change not just some fad diet. Several people I know are thinking about or already have joined! I'm so psyched. I'm looking forward to doing something good for myself that will in turn benefit everyone around me. I will have more energy! I want to be around for those I love... I want to take care of my body. So between God's help with Weight Watchers and taking Zumba at the YMCA... look out :) A whole new me is arriving with this New Year!

Haha ha ha ha. All it takes is getting pregnant to set aside this blog. Now here it is... the end of December... I have an almost 8 week old... I'm 15 pounds less then my starting pregnancy weight. That's a bonus. I know I need accountability and help... so what does this mean? I'm joining Weight Watchers. I've had success in the past... I don't do well with just the online program.. I need face to face interaction and encouragement... so tomorrow I'm boldly going into a meeting. I need to take care of myself. I might be suffering from lack of sleep and be under a tremendous amount of stress but I can choose what I eat. I can choose to exercise. I can choose health. I want energy... My goal for this new year is good health! For me personally, for my husband, for my children. Things I'm doing differently already: -Choosing to have accountability (with WW and friends.) -Taking Barley Green -Faithfully taking Vitamins & supplements. -Taking good care of my ...

Well, it doesn't help for it to be that time of the month. You can never accurately figure out if you've truly gained or lost anything :) Yucky bloating got me down. So I exercised and drank gallons of water today!

I must confess, although I try not to think about it too often, that I am in two weddings this summer. So being a bridesmaid is some motivation. Funny enough though I don't really care about what size I have to pick out for the dresses. I am more interested in being healthy and also having fun at the weddings. It's great not to be hung up on how I look. I'm so grateful that I get to participate in these weddings. It's truly an honor. I look forward, with much hope, to fitting a smaller size by my birthday. This June 3rd I turn 30. Wouldn't it be fun to lose 30 by 30? We'll see. For now I am just committed to getting through the here and now. Eating well. Consistently Exercising. Taking my vitamins and medicine. Drinking water. And trying to think more positively. I think your attitude and your positive or negative thoughts make a HUGE difference!

I got started with the weight machines at the YMCA. They, the trainers, set your range of motion and help you figure out the appropriate weights. They also show you the appropriate way to use the machines so that you don't injure yourself. I've always loved strength training so this was fun. I was able to push myself even farther today on the elliptical. I went an extra 5 minutes. I'm building endurance. And in case I fail to mention... My clothes are feeling LOOSER!!! Woo-hoo.

We became members of the Y (YMCA) yesterday. Because of our financial situation we qualified for their Open Doors Scholarship. I am excited to be able to have a place to exercise that also has child care. Mike and I went tonight. I worked my butt off... quite literally. My legs and rear were shaking after I was done with the work-out... not looking forward to the next couple of days... Ouch! Maybe swimming next time is in order?!

One thing I’ve been doing different lately is really planning meals out. Now am I doing this breakfast, lunch, dinner? No, just dinner. But I find that it’s helping me organize my days better and my palate. If I am making fish for dinner I might tend towards a sandwich for lunch or a large salad. If I’m having breakfast for dinner I might eat chicken and veggies for lunch. It’s just been fun playing around with food. I’ve been trying a lot of different recipes lately and am excited that I’m branching out, so to speak. Some of my recipes lately have included: Cauliflower Cheddar Soup. Cabbage Rolls (or as my Polish roots say, Gwumpkies, spelling?) An altered recipe of Make Ahead French Toast. Baked Ahi Tuna that’s been marinated. Southwestern Bean Salad with Rice. Another thing I enjoy is using something already made/prepared to what I’m cooking. I made fish but then used Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash soup as an appetizer. I make a big batch of rice and have it on hand as a side d...

Are you a fan on of the pedometer? I have one. Somewhere. I really want to use it. I’ve read somewhere that you should spend over $20 if you want to have quality and accuracy. I like seeing how much I’ve walked and also how many calories I’ve burned. There is something very motivating when I’m working out to see how many calories I’ve burned. I’ll tell you what it makes me evaluate what I eat differently. If I burned 150 calories I’m a lot less likely to just put anything into my mouth. I want to make it count. What, that’s a 160 calories, heck no! I’ll got with a piece of fruit or something chocolatey that is satisfying. My friend just gave me some chocolate covered almonds. What a treat. Eating one serving portion size is so tasty and so satisfying. Anyway, back to the pedometer. I am overwhelmed trying to figure out how mine works. I magically lost the directions and I look at all its little buttons and functions and think, very profoundly, “Huh?” Well, I hope to find ...

Found the pedometer and have been using it. It's making me walk more... even if it's just in place!

Water, everyone hears all the numbers involved. How it makes up most of our body. That we’re to drink this many glasses a day. Some say we’re supposed to take how much we weigh cut the number in half and drink that many ounces every day. Needless to say, it’s important. It helps our body maintain its proper functions. It keeps us hydrated. It allows us to flush out impurities. Etc. Etc. I’ve been able to drink a lot more lately and I think that has been a major contributor to scaling down. There is so much information about water coming from all different directions. I’ve been told you should drink a glass before you eat anything. I’ve been told you shouldn’t drink with your meals. You should drink some before, during, and after exercising. Just get it in you. The argument for distilled or fluoride, Spring or carbonated or from mountains or from faucets or filtered. The debates will live on. I say, just drink it. Add lemon to it. Add frozen blueberries or raspberries to change up...

I have an enjoyment for home-made oatmeal. It can be quick cooking oats, that’s fine, but it absolutely must NOT be instant. My kids eat instant and that’s cool, but for me it must be made on the stove. I love to add cinnamon, brown sugar, pecans and craisins to my oatmeal with just a dash of milk to cool it down. Mmm. Slightly sweet and yet so satisfying. I love how good it is for me. It’s better for cholesterol. It keeps hunger at bay. This is a favorite meal before church. I enjoy making a big pot and doling it out to each of my children. It’s something we ALL eat… and that my dear is frankly magical.

I don’t think I’m honestly brave enough to share how much I weigh. I mean who wants the whole world (or at least the internet world) knowing how many pounds you are… But I would like some encouragement and cheering on so I thought I could at least set goals… and tell you how I’m doing on them. So first things first…. To get to where I was before I got pregnant with Samuel I need to lose a total of 55 pounds. To get to my “before babies” weight I need to lose a total of… well, let’s stop there for now. Let’s focus on the first goal, eh? Over the past several weeks I have managed to lose some weight. I weighed myself today and I have lost 10 pounds!!! I try not to weigh myself often. It was encouraging because I was beginning to wonder if exercising was having any impact at all. Apparently it has! This week marks 8 weeks of consistent exercise. Thank you Jesus! So 45 pounds more to go! And actually I think I should break it up into smaller goals than that because yikes… the numbe...

I'm wrestling my emotions like I'm trying to pin a huge alligator. I get it to the ground and I think I have it under control and then suddenly before I know it it has escaped and is snapping at me with a voracious hunger leaving me to once again try to figure out how to tame this wild beast. How to get my arms around it once again... Oh to be free of these crazy and wild feelings. The intensity of sadness and grief leaves me empty... the way I love to fill this emptiness is with food. So lately before eating I try praying and drinking some water. And instead of picking comfort foods I will try and satiate it first with fruit. A banana or apple with p.b. or maybe protein drink or a piece of cheese with a couple of crackers. There are times though (and you ladies know what I mean) where I "need" chocolate. I found a little treat that is satisfying and helps... It's by quaker and called True Delights. I have the chocolate and raspberry which is a favorite comb...

One of my dilemmas for eating healthy is when I need to get out the door and I don't have time for a healthy, if any breakfast. My solution: Kashi's Lean Protein Shake It's delicious. Milk, ice, and I shake it up and take it to go. It's delicious vanilla and chocolate. My other recent find has been Kellogg's Special K protein drink... 10 g protein, 5 grams of fiber only 180 calories. It's a perfect breakfast on the go. I've only had the vanilla but I can't wait to try the other flavors.

6 weeks of consistent exercising. Praise the Lord.

I recently had my annual "woman's" exam. I've been trying to be on top of taking care of my health and well-being and this was one of those things. I must say though that it was such a pleasant experience. For the past 2 years I've been seeing the most wonderful OB/GYN. She is such an amazing woman... a burst of sunshine, pleasantness, professionalism and gentleness all rolled into one. She is a great doctor. I always get nervous before this appointment because... well, need I explain? But I laugh now when I think about my anxiety. She's so encouraging and affirming that I wonder why I even worry about it. I am so thankful for doctors who help us to stay healthy. Be a good girl... if you haven't made an annual appointment... make one. If you need a referral... just ask me. Mine's the best in the world. (Just in Case you want it...) The Group for Women 757-466-6350 Dr. Harris-Proctor

Oh Orbit, my Orbit- I am so glad you make cool gum. Orbit is my favorite brand of gum. Recently (at least I just discovered it) they have a new flavor: pina colada. And when you're trying to chew but not chew food... it's a wonderful option. If you like pina colada (pineapple-coconut flavor) it's a mmm-mmm treat.