My Live-it

I'm Back!

2010-04-10T08:16:00.001-07:00

It has been a little over a month since I have posted. I got sick right after my last post and was sick for 2 weeks...followed by my daughter getting strep throat and then the stomach flu made it through our family and then spring break. What a month! Along with not posting for a month I haven't worked out for a month. I am heading to the Body Pump launch this morning. Hopefully the launch of my weight loss again too!

3/8/10 Food Journal + Workout

2010-03-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

Felt a little discouraged today and started to feel like this is going to take forever to lose weight. That is when my husband reminded me that at 10 lbs./month I will lose 120 lbs. in a year. That kind of opened up my eyes. I just have to remember that I am making good choices and good changes in my life. Slow and steady will get the weight off!

Breakfast:
Balance Bar 210
Special K Water 30

Lunch @ Taco Bell:
Soft Taco 200
Pintos and cheese 160
Special K Water 30
WW PB Cookie 90

Dinner:
Potatoes 117.50
Ham 70
Cheese 80
Gravy 40
Egg Beaters 30

Snack:
PB 95
Apple 50

Total Calories: 1205

Spinning: 50 mins.

10 lbs. lost!

2010-03-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Yea...I weighed in this morning one day late but I have lost 10 lbs. in my first month for a total of 18lbs. since I started in October! I am looking forward to what the next month brings. I have noticed my weight loss slowing down and I am thinking it is due to not journaling. So my goals for this week:

Journal, journal, journal
Workout 4 times
Drink 120 oz. water/day
Stay between 1200-1400 calories with one high day.
Eat 3 fruits or veggies (this is my hardest one!)

My goals for this month:

Lose 12 lbs.
Try some new classes at the gym.
Try one outside workout (running, walking, etc.) each week.

My goals for this year:

Lose 80 lbs. in a year
Lose 40 lbs. by Memorial Day
Fit into my skinny clothes again!
Keep the weight off!

Still Here.....

2010-03-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

It has just been so crazy....but I am still here. Tomorrow is weigh in day. The next day will mark my 1st day on this journey. I just took a look at my goals for the week and month and I am pretty happy. I have struggled a little but overall I have made some positive changes in the last month. This week I actually worked out 5 times....2 Spinning classes, 2 body pump classes and 1 step class! Looking forward to the weekend and WI day tomorrow. :o)

Monday madness...or not...

2010-02-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

I have to start by saying I am so thankful that one of my best friends is also my spinning instructor! I really didn't want to go workout this morning but I knew if she didn't see me there she would most likely right something on facebook! So I went and it felt good...it always does...especially when you are done with the workout! After spinning I went tanning....we live in a relatively gray area and every now and then I need to feel the sun (even if it is fake!) Then I came home for a little bit and did some house stuff, took a little nap with my 3 yr. old and then it was off to gymnastics with my little girl. The best part of the day was finishing it off with a 90 min. massage. I think every Monday should end like that! It was a Christmas gift from my mom and I really needed it today. Eating also went well...here is what it looked like:

Breakfast:
Raisin Bran extra 190 cals.
1/2 c. nf milk 45 cals.

Lunch:
Sandwich Thins 100 cals.
Chicken Salad w/ celery 110 cals.
100 cal. Hostess Cupcakes 100 cals.

Snack:
Diet Coke
Balance Bar 210 cals.

Dinner:
2 Taco Bell Soft Tacos 400 cals.
WW caramel 60 cals.

Total Calories: 1215

Weekend Recap

2010-02-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

~ Saturday ~
Breakfast:
Shredded Wheat 200 cals.
1/2 c. milk 45 cals.
Special K Protein Water 30 cals.

Snack:
Special K Bar 90 cals.

Lunch:
Sandwich Thins 100 cals.
2 eggs 140 cals.
1 tbsp. lt. mayo 35 cals.
carrots 25 cals.
1 tbsp. lt. ranch 20 cals.

Snack:
100 cal. Hostess Cupcakes 100 cals.
4 cookies 600 cals.

Dinner Party:
Pork Taco 200 cals.
Chips and salsa 300 cals.
Rum and Pineapple Juice 150 cals.
Cupcake 150 cals.

Total Calories: 1865

~ Sunday~
Late Breakfast:
Egg potato skillet 380 cals.

Snack:
Hummus 100 cals.
Wheat Thins 140 cals.

Dinner:
Smoked Salmon Salad 250 cals.
Corn Muffin 150 cals.
couple sips of root beer float 50 cals.
couple french fries with ranch 150 cals.

Total Calories: 1220

Saturday weigh in: down 3 lbs. for a total of 8....woo hoo!

Starbucks or Spinning....guess what I chose??

2010-02-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Yep...that's right! I chose Starbucks! I woke up this morning all stuffy and felt like if I attempted spinning I might just fall off my bike. Starbucks seemed like a better option. Something to wake me up and help me get through my day. It didn't feel as great as I wanted it to though. I felt kind of sluggish all day and by dinner my choices were going downhill fast! My kids made cookies (at my suggestion) and then as I was putting them on the cookie sheets I was eating dough. Then I ordered pizza with the intention of making myself a lower fat option but as I got more tired I just decided to eat theirs. I should have stopped at 1 but decided to go for 2. I was almost ready to grab another cookie when my friend told me I was looking thinner. That was all I needed to put the cookie down and grab my water. Amazing how that works...you need to keep reminding yourself why you are doing and keep making good choices! I am trying to go easy on myself because this is my first high day this week so it should even out. Tomorrow is weigh in day so we'll see how it goes! :o)

Breakfast:
Balance Bar 210 cals.
Caramel Machiato 300 cals.
All Bran Water (10g. fiber) 20 cals.

Lunch:
Hummus 100 cals.
Wheat Thins 120 cals.
Lt. yogurt 100 cals.
Granola 210 cals.
Special K Protein Water 30 cals.

Dinner:
2 slices Pizza 840 cals.
1/2 chocolate chip cookie 100 cals.
1/8 c. chocolate chip cookie dough 200 cals.

Total Calories: 2230

2/18/10 Food Journal + Workout and such...

2010-02-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

What a busy day! I started it by dropping my older 3 kids off at school and then back home to take my youngest to preschool with a snack because he was student of the day. Then it was back to the school to help in all 3 classrooms. Then off to have lunch with one of my best friends. After lunch I made a quick stop at Real Deals....one of my favorite stores!! Today was early out for the kids so after a much too short stop at Real Deals I went to pick them up and take them to the library. After the library it was back home to change into workout clothes and go to the gym for Body Pump. I went up a little in weight today and thought my arms were going to fall off! I am sure I will be feeling it in the morning! Such a great class though! I am so glad our gym here finally has it...next they are bringing in Body Flow. Looking forward to trying that out! As for now...I am exhausted! Better go take a shower, go to bed and wake up and do it all over again! Spinning in the morning! :o)

Today's eats:
Balance Bar 210 cals.
Special K Protein Water 30 cals
Thai Chicken Peanut Salad 300 cals.
1/2 Roll w/ butter 150 cals.
Sunny D 40 cals.
Chicken Burger on sandwich thins 180 cals.
Oven Fries 110 cals.
2 TBSP. BBQ and lt. mayo 60 cals.
Broccoli

Total Calories: 1080

2/17/10 Food Journal + Work out

2010-02-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
Balance Bar 210 cals.
Special K Protein Water 30 cals.

Snack:
Gala Apple 100 cals

Lunch @ McD's:
Grilled BBQ Snack Wrap 260 cals.
Side Salad 120 cals.

Snack:
Triscuits 180 cals.
Hummus 50 cals.
Special K Protein Water 30 cals.

Dinner:
1/2 cup rice 100 cals.
4 oz. pork loin chops 150 cals.
Broccoli/Red Peppers with spray butter

Snack:
String Cheese 100 cals.
100 cal. Hostess Cupcakes 100 cals.
Lite Cool Whip 25 cals.

Total Calories: 1230

Spinning 55 mins.

2/16/10 Food Journal + Work out

2010-02-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
Balance Bar 210 cals.

Snack:
Part of a balance bar 80 cals.

Lunch:
Salad
Ham 70 cals.
Lt. Cheddar Cheese 80 cals.
Bacon Bits 70 cals.
2 TBSP. Lt. Blue Cheese 50 cals.
100 cal. Hostess cupcake 100 cals.

Snack:
String Cheese 100 cals.
Special K Water 30 cals.
Special K Bar 90 cals.
Lucky Charms Cereal 180 cals.
1/2 c. nf milk 45 cals.

Dinner:
Taco Salad
Chicken 50 cals.
1/4 c. lf cheese 80 cals.
1.5 TBSP. sour cream 45 cals.
Salsa
1 cookie 150 cals.

Total Calories: 1430

Really tired today...body pump kicked my butt this morning. Hoping spinning is a little easier tomorrow. :o)

2/15/10 Food Journal

2010-02-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
Raisin Bran Extra 190 cals.
1/2 c. nf milk 45 cals.
Special K Protein/Fiber Water 30 cals.

Lunch:
Egg Ham Skillet with Gravy
1/4 c. Egg Beaters 30 cals.
1/4 c. lf cheese 80 cals.
1/2 c. hasbrowns 70 cals.
1 sl. lf ham 70 cals.
1/4 c. lf gravy 40 cals.

Snack:
Microwave Popcorn 115 cals.
Hostess Cupcakes 100 cals.

Dinner @ McD's with the kiddos:
Grilled Chicken Salad 220 cals.
Southwest Dressing 100 cals.
Special K Water 30 cals.

Desert:
SF FF Chocolate Pudding 60 cals.
Lite Cool Whip 40 cals.

Total Calories: 1220 cals.

Today my kids had no school so I decided to forgo the gym and we spent the whole day in our jammies. You have to just do that sometimes. :o) This afternoon we worked on cleaning the house and getting ready for the week. And then we were off to McD's since dad was gone at a meeting. We also didn't want to mess up the kitchen we had just cleaned. :o)

2/14/10 Food Journal

2010-02-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
Balance Bar 210 cals.

Snack:
Popcorn 50 cals.

Valentine's Day Lunch with the family:
1/2 cup pasta 100 cals.
Pesto Sauce with water (no oil) 15 cals.
Costco Garlic Bread 200 cals.
Shrimp 100 cals.

Treats:
PB M & M's 200 cals.
Reses PB Heart 200 cals.

Dinner:
We went to Famous Daves and shares appetizers and since they don't offer nutritional info on their website I am going to have to estimate this one...
Onion Petals 200 cals.
Salmon Spread 300 cals.
Dessert 300 cals.

Total Calories: 1875

I definitely went a little overboard today but also made some good decisions like have the pesto instead of the alfredo my hubby made...which had egg yolks, cream and butter in it! I think I actually liked the pesto better! Well tomorrow is a new day! Happy Valentine's Day!

Weekly Goals

2010-02-13T22:07:00.000-08:00

My goals for this week 2/14/10-2/20/10:

Workout 4 times.
Drink 128 oz. of water a day.
Track my food.
Eat 4 serving of fruits and/or veggies each day.
Stay OP with one high point day.
Write down 10 reasons I am on this journey.

Pretty much going to stick with the same goals from last week...just adding one. I want to write down 10 reasons I am on this journey so I can remember them and keep them in my mind when I am tempted to overeat.
This last week was relatively good goal wise. I stuck to most of them....the only one I had a little trouble with was getting in enough fruits and veggies. This week I am going to try to be more creative to get them in.

2/13/10 Food Journal + Weigh In

2010-02-13T21:39:00.001-08:00

Breakfast:
Potato Egg Ham Skillet 250 cals.
2/3 c. shredded potatoes
1/4 c. LF Cheese
2 oz. LF Ham
1/4 c. Egg Beaters
Topped w/ LF Gravy 1/4 c. 40 cals.
1 c. lt. orange juice 100 cals.

Lunch:
1/2 c. Jamaican Jerk Salad 100 cals.
Samples @ costco:
Tilapia bite 20 cals.
1/5 Twisted Protein Bar 40 cals.

Snack:
Balance Bar 210 cals.

Valentine's Dinner @ the Outback:
Bread with butter 100 cals.
Wedge Salad 357 cals.
Grilled Veggies 143 cals.
Grilled Shrimp 300 cals.

Dessert @ Coldstone:
Berry Protein Smoothie 210 cals.
Handful of M&M's (1/8 c.) 130 cals.

Total Calories: 2000

What a day! I started by weighing in and I have lost 5lbs. since Monday. Not bad for 5 days. I went a little overboard today but I think I did pretty good considering I had a Pampered Chef party to go to and a Valentine's date with my amazing hubby. We were planning on working out this morning but instead we layed in bed and then made breakfast. We really needed to slow down after this crazy week. With that said...I am going to bed. Looking forward to what the next week brings!

2/12/10 Food Journal + Work out

2010-02-12T16:06:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
1 c. Extra Raisin Bran 190 cals.
1/2 c. ff milk 45 cals.

Snack:
Fiber One Bar 150 cals.
Apple 50 cals.

Lunch:
Lunch:
Ham and Cheese Wrap ~ 325 cals.
Flat out Bread 90 cals.
Ham 70 cals.
WW Cream Cheese 30 cals.
1 TBSP. Bacon Bits 35 cals.
Light Provolone 60 cals.
1 TBSP. Ranch 40 cals.
Sprouts
Progresso Soup 50 cals.

Snack:
Hostess 100 cal. strawberry cupcakes 100 cals.
3 small cookies 180 cals. (kid's valentines party)

Dinner:
Garlic Chicken Pizza 350 cals.
90 cals.

Berry Shortcake 190 cals.
Lt. Cool Whip, Mixed berries with splenda and lf. shortcake

Total Calories: 1720

Spinning this morning....burned 650 cals and rode 14 miles. I never want to go the gym but once I am done I feel so good. I am planning on doing Body Pump in the morning for a total of 5 workouts this week....one more than my goal. I have done really good on drinking water this week and also got my fruits and veggies in. :o) Looking forward to weighing in the morning to see how I have done.

2/11/10 Food Journal + Work out

2010-02-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
Balance Bar 210 cals.

Snack:
Apple 50 cals.

Lunch:
1 3/4 soft tacos from Taco Bell 375 cals.

Snack:
WW Lemon Cake 80 cals

Dinner:
Taco Salad 460 cals.
Lettuce 0 cals.
1/4 c. lf cheese 80 cals
1/8 c. lt. ranch 80 cals.
97% ff ground beef 150 cals.
1/2 c. black beans 50 cals.
a few olives 25 cals.
6 doritos 75 cals.

Snack:
String Cheese 100 cals.
SF FF Pudding with Lt. Cool Whip 100 cals.

Total calories: 1375

Had a busy day...appointments, chiropractor and running errands and a quick Body Pump at 4:30 before dinner. Now I am off to pick up my daughter and then come back home to get my house ready for a mom's group I have on Friday mornings. I am going to try to plan my meals a little better when I am going to be gone. :o)

Food Journal 2/10/10

2010-02-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
1/2 c. skim milk 45 cals.
1 c. Extra Raisin Bran 190 cals.

Snack:
Fiber One Bar 150 cals.

Lunch:
3/4 Ham and Cheese Wrap ~ 240 cals.
Flat out Bread
Ham
WW Cream Cheese
1 TBSP. Bacon Bits
Light Provolone
1 TBSP. Ranch
Sprouts
1 c. White Chicken Chili 100 cals.

Snack:
100 cal. Hostess Lemon Cakes 100 cals.

Dinner:
Outback Special 6 oz & Classic Blue Cheese Wedge Salad & Fresh Seasonal Veggies
770 cals.
Bread with a little butter 100 cals.

Total Calories: 1650

No working out today...woke up with a sore throat and a little behind from being on vacation last week. Did I mention I just got back from a week in Maui. It was amazing but also a wake up call for me. It made me realize how uncomfortable I am in my own skin. I am ready to make this a live-it and keep the weight off for good. When I get to my goal weight it will be my 3rd time. I have made WW lifetime twice before and I am ready to make it stick. Not sure what I have to do to make that happen but for now I am just going to trust God to lead my on this journey. And for some reason it is good to put journal my food and put down my thoughts even if no one is reading this....it is helping me.

I went a little high on the calories today but I am going to focus on the good choices I made like going to the Outback for happy hour with friends and drinking diet coke. I also didn't have a bloomin' onion which is a must in my book when you visit the Outback but at 1500 cals. that was just not an option. I did have a small steak, veggies and a salad.

I am feeling better so tomorrow I will go back to the gym and hopefully work out Thursday, Friday and Saturday. My goal was 4 times and that would be 5 so that is good. As far as my other goals go for this week...I have been doing pretty good. I have been drinking a lot of water but I have a harder time fitting in the fruits and veggies. I am trying to get better at that.

Well, it is off to put the kids to bed and then maybe myself. :o)

2010-02-10T14:05:00.001-08:00

Lunch today...ham wrap on flatout bread with white chicken chili...yummy!

2/9/10 Food Journal + Work out

2010-02-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
2/3 Balance Bar 140 cals. (my son wanted the other part)

Lunch:
Ham and Cheese Wrap ~ 315 cals.
Flat out Bread 90 cals.
Ham 60 cals.
WW Cream Cheese 30 cals.
1 TBSP. Bacon Bits 35 cals.
Light Provolone 60 cals.
1 TBSP. Ranch 40 cals.
Sprouts
1/2 Apple 25 cals.

Snack:
String Cheese 100 cals.
1/2 apple 25 cals.
1 TBSP. Peanut Butter 95 cals.

Dinner:
1/2 c. White Chicken Chili 150 cals.
2 TBSP. Light Cheddar Cheese 40 cals.
1 TBSP. Sour Cream 30 cals.
Cilantro
French Bread 200 cals.
2 cookies 200 cals.
Salad w/ ff poppyseed dressing 150 cals.

Total: 1470 cals.

Had a little trouble controlling myself on dinner. We have a life group on Tuesdays and we do a big dinner...I made the soup so I made sure it was lowfat but the french bread just called my name. I also ate 2 cookies for dessert but I stayed within a reasonable amount of calories so it should be fine. I haven't quite drank enough water so I will be trying to get that down before I go to bed. I did do Body Pump today which is such a great workout. I am estimated I burn between 300-400 cals. in addition to gaining muscle which will burn more fat in the long run. With that said...I need to go relax and wind down before bed. Spinning will come early tomorrow. :o)

Spinning and weigh in

2010-02-08T20:45:00.000-08:00

Today I made it to spinning. I hadn't been in 2 weeks so it was a little hard to get back on the bike. Once I did, it felt good and I ended up riding 15 miles in 50 minutes for a total of 750 cals. burned! Not too bad. I also weighed in today. I think I am going to make Sat. morning my official weigh in day but I wanted to know where I was starting. I am at 245.2. I would like to lose 5 lbs. this week....just a little kick start. We will see. I still have a little water to drink today to make my goal of 128 oz. so I better get going.

2/8/10 Food Journal

2010-02-08T06:48:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:
1/4 c. granola 100 cals.
Yoplait Thick and Creamy Vanilla Yogurt 100 cals.
1/2 c. blueberries 40 cals.

Lunch:
Quiznos Sm. Alpine Chicken Sammie 310 cals.
Bite of Balance Bar 40 cals.

Dinner:
1 c. Progresso Soup 60 cals.
Western Bagels Alternative Onion Bagel 110 cals.
WW Cream Cheese 60 cals.

Snack:
1/2 c. Raisin Bran 95 cals.
1/2 c. 2% milk 65 cals.

Total: 980 cals.

Setting goals

2010-02-07T22:39:00.000-08:00

One famous study from Yale in 1953 said that the 3% of Yale graduates who had written goals had more wealth years later than the other 97% of the class combined.....so I am going to give it a try. I haven't been very good about writing down my goals. I typically have them in my head but to put them down on paper is a different story...and although this isn't exactly paper...I think it will serve the purpose.

My goals for this week:

Workout 4 times.
Drink 128 oz. of water a day.
Track my food.
Eat 4 serving of fruits and/or veggies each day.
Stay OP with one high point day.

My goals for this month:

Go to the gym at least 4 times a week.
Lose 10 lbs.

My longer term goals:

Lose 80 lbs. in a year
Lose 40 lbs. by Memorial Day
Fit into my skinny clothes again.
Keep the weight off!

It is hard to even type these...because I think what if I fail? What if I don't stick to them? But then the thought pops into my mind. What if I succeed? What if this is the time I stick to it and it really works? So today I am going to choose to believe that something great is about to happen!

And as much as I believe righting these goals down is going to help me...I know even more that God will be the one who really helps me. I love the way the Message Bible translation puts this verse from Matthew 19:26..."No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." With that said...I am going to trust in God to help me do this!

I heart Body Pump!

2009-11-04T20:13:00.000-08:00

I haven't done Body Pump in over a year because we moved to a new area that didn't offer it. But just recently a good friend of mine became the fitness director of a gym here in town and they are bringing it in. I am so excited! She has been doing classes for the people that are going to get certified and she invited me to come do the class today! I forgot how much I love that class! I took my husband with me too and we could barely walk down the stairs after class....quite the workout! The only bummer is they aren't actually starting the classes officially until January. But until then she is going to let me come to all the preview classes. So I'll be able to go at least once a week. Not ideal...but it will work for now. I think I am going to try to do the Shred the other days and maybe get a little walking in. That is my plan and I'm sticking to it :o)

-5.2 Lost!

2009-11-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

I just finished my 1st week of being recommitted to WW and I lost 5.2 lbs.! Woo hoo! My husband and I started a biggest loser competition with a few friends. It is being facilitated by another friend of ours who is a personal trainer. It is a 8 week competition that is going through December. My first thought was "know is not a good time with the holidays coming up." But when is a good time right?? It is now or never! The other great help is that my husband is doing it with me. Of course he has about a 1/3 of the weight to lost that I do and he already lost 10lbs. in the first week. Gotta love men and how quick they lose weight! My plan for this week was get the food plan going and next week I am going to add in some exercise. Should be fun!

How many points in all that Halloween candy??

2009-10-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

I was just trying to figure out if I have any points left in my day to indulge in a little treat tonight so I searched for a listing of all of the fun size candy bars and how many points are in it. And this is what I found:

HALLOWEEN CANDY POINTS:
3 Musketeers, 2 fun size bars/3.5 pts
1000 Grand, 2 bars/4.5 pts
Abazaba, 1 mini/1 pt
ABC Fruit Chomps, 7 pieces/3 pts
ANDES "Creme de Menthe Thin Mint", 8 pieces/5.5 pts
Animal Crackers, 11 crackers/3 pts
Almond Joy, 2 snack size bars/4 pts
America's Original Bubble Gum 4/1.5 pts
Atomic Fireballs, 1/1 pt
Baby Ruth, 2 fun size bars/4 pts
Big Hunk, mini, 1/1 pt
Bit-O-Honey, 6 pieces/4 pts
Blow Pops, 1/1.5 pts
Bubble Gum, super, 2 pieces/1 pt
Butterfinger, 2 fun size bars/4 pts
Butternut Mini Bar, .75 oz/2 pts
Candy Corn, 22 pieces/3 pts
Caramello, 2 snack size bars/4 pts
Double Bubble Gum, 2 pieces/1 pt
Fifth Avenue, 2 snack pieces/4 pts
Heath Bar, 5 snack size bars/6 pts
Hershey's Bar (plain), 2 snack size bars/5 pts
Hershey's (almonds), 2 snack size bars/5 pts
Hershey Kisses, 8 pieces/5 pts
Hershey Kisses or Hugs 3 pieces/2 pts
Hershey Miniatures, 5 pieces/5 pts
Hot Tamales, 1 snack box/1 pt
Jolly Rancher, 3 pieces/1 pt
Jolly Rancher Mini Stix, 1/1 pt
Kit Kat, 3 (2 pc) snack bars/6 pts
Kit Kat, 1 (2-piece) bar/2 pts
Lemonheads, 1 box/2 pts
Life Saver Five Flavor Candy, 4/1.5 pts
Life Saver Gummi Savers, 2 rolls/2.5 pts
Life Saver Pops, 1/1 pt
M & M (plain), 1 fun size pack/2 pts
M & M (peanut), 1 fun size pack/2 pts
M & M Crispy, 1 pkg/5 pts
Mars, 2 fun size bars/4 pts
Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses, 6 pieces/3.5 pts
Maynards Wine Gums, 1 roll/3 pts
Mike & Ikes, 1 snack pkg/1 pt
Milk Duds, 4 fun size boxes/4 pts
Milky Way, 2 fun size bars/4 pts
Milky Way Lite, minis, 5 pieces/3 pts
Milky Way Lite, regular bar/3.5 pts
Mounds, 2 snack size bars/4 pts
Necco Wafers, 1 roll/1 pt
Nerds, 1 box/1 pt
Nestle Crunch Fun Size, 4 bars/5 pts
Now & Later, 3 mini bars/3 pts
O'Henry, 2 fun size bars/5 pts
Peter Pan Peanut Butter Cups, 4 pieces/6 pts
Pumpkin Pop, 1 sucker/1pt
Raisinettes, 3 snack size boxes/4 pts
Red Hots, 1 box/2 pts
Reese's Crunchy Cookie Cups, 2 snacks/4 pts
Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups, 5 pieces/5 pts
Reeses Peanut Butter Bites, 3 pkgs/5.5 pts
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, 2 snack size/4 pts
Reesesticks, 2 snack size/4 pts
Skittles, 3 pkgs/4 pts
Skittles (regular), 2 packs/3 pts
Smarties, 3 rolls/1 pt
Smuckers Fruit Fillers, bag (5 candies)/2 pts
Snackwells Nut Clusters, 1 piece/1 pt
Snickers, 2 fun size bars/4 pts
Snickers, minis (4 pieces)or 2 fun size bars/4 pts
Spree Candies, 8 pieces/1 pt
Spree Twist, 2 rolls/1.5 pts
Starburst, 3 fun size pkgs/4 pts
Starburst Fruit Chews, 8 chews/3.5 pts
Sugar Babies, 2 snack size pouches/4.5 pts
Sugar Daddy Pops, 3/3.5 pts
Sweethearts (Necco), 1 1/8 oz box/2.5 pts
Sweet Tarts, 2 rolls/1 pt
Tootsie Hot Chocolate Pops, 1/1.5 pts
Three Musketeers, 2 fun size/4 pts
Tootsie Roll, 2 snack bars/2 pt
Tootsie Roll Midgees, 6 pieces/3.5 pts
Tootsie Roll Pop, 1 pop/1 pt
Twix, 1 mini size/1 pt
Twix, 1 snack size bar/2 pts
Twix, Regular Size, 1 (2) pack/7 pts
Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel Cherry Candy, 3 pieces/2.5 pts
Twizzlers Strawbery Twists, 4 twists/2.5 pts
Werther's Original, 3 pieces/1 pt
Whoppers Malted Milk Balls, 2 snack size pouches/5 pts
Wonka Nerds Gumballs, 1/1 pt
Wonka Shock Tarts Gumball, 1/1 pt
Wrigleys Chewing Gum, 5 pieces/1 pt
York Peppermint Patties, 3 patties/3 pts

A yummy fall recipe...

2009-09-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Mousse

Directions

Mix pudding with skim milk; when set add other ingredients; Chill

Number of Servings: 8

Points per serving: 2

A new day!

2009-09-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today is a new day! I can start over...I will start over! I am going back to WW meetings tonight...going to take advantage of the free month offer. I have been trying to do this on my own for too long and it just doesn't work. The ONLY way I have lost weight and kept it off is by going to meetings. I hate to admit that...partly pride I guess. But today I am laying down my pride. My plan is to go to WW for the next 3 months...get my "eating healthy" thing down and then come January I will add in a workout regimen. I think too many times I have jumped in head first and tried to do everything perfect. I try to eat right, exercise, count my points and then after a few days I burn out. I need to be in this for the long haul. This needs to be a life long commitment. So for now I will work on the eating thing and allow myself some time to add in the exercise thing. We have a new gym opening in January too that is close to my house. So the timing should be good for that. Well, with that said I am going to go eat my breakfast, drink my water and count my points. And then I am off to a meeting! YAY!

Starting over!

2009-08-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

It is true! I am starting over tomorrow morning. The summer has been difficult with all 4 kiddos home but they go back to school tomorrow so I am taking the opportunity to start over! A couple friends and I are going to meet up and weigh each other every Monday morning. We will keep each other accountable and hopefully provide support throughout the week. We are also going to throw $5 or $10 in a pot if we go off program to be won by the person that loses the most weight. We are also going to follow the WW plan and journal. I am excited for the change of seasons and the hope of changing my way of thinking! :o)

A little me time....

2009-05-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

I think I am on the come back for the bazillionth time :o) For several months I have been good about eating good foods and tracking but the exercise thing just wont click. I just find it hard to make time for myself when I have 4 kids to take care of, a house to clean, blah blah blah. I know everyone is very busy and it is just a matter of making the time. So today I made the time. I decided to pull out the old Couch to 5K plan and take a little me time. I thought I was about to die after the first little interval but I made it through. I have done this before...I know I can do it again. The only thing stopping me is myself! The other thing I need to work on is loving myself now. I tend to always think when I lose weight...when I fit in a size??, when, when, when. I need to love myself now and enjoy myself and then the change will come. Below are some pics of a recent get together with some friends. Most of the night I worried about what I looked like in my dress next to my thinner friends. What a waste of time! I am so tired of feeling that way. I definitely need to work on that. To realize who I am comes from the inside...and that I am God's creation. Oh it sounds so simple when I type it...if I just get it ;o)

Pushing the restart button...

2009-04-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been posting lately...truthfully I have been struggling a bit. When I am going to finally figure this out. With Easter and traveling....I have been a little loose with my points. I finally buckled down this last week which resulted in a good loss but then after weighing on Saturday morning I thought " I can cheat a little." Why do I do that to myself? We were traveling this weekend so I added a full fat iced mocha and several other no-no's to my menu. So hopefully I don't regain the weight I lost next week. Last night I sat down to watch LOST with my DH and grabbed the trail mix...not a point friendly snack. He gently said "It's not too late to count your points and restart" I love him! Let me preface this by saying he never comments about my weight or what I eat. Although, lately I have been sharing my struggles about staying on program. I told him my biggest downfall is not just hitting the restart button....when I fall off, I really fall off. So he was helping me...and you know what after I shoved one more bite of trail mix into my mouth I put it down and stopped snacking. And today I am pushing the restart button!

WI day - 2.8 lbs. gone for a total of 15 lbs. so far!

2009-03-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hello 230's! I was so excited to see that number this morning. I have been above it for a year or so and it was refreshing. Can't wait to see it get to onederland! That will be so nice! I've been sticking to my food plan but can't quite fit the exercise in. I am pleased that I am losing weight but I know the healthier way would be to combine eating right with exercise and I am just not finding time to fit it in. My favorite way to exercise is in classes. Before we moved to Montana, I belonged to a gym and went to spinning, body pump, body step, etc. and loved it. The problem however is that when we moved we took a pay cut....my husband and I moved here to start a church....so we can't afford the gym membership and childcare at the gym. At any rate, I am still trying to figure out a plan that works best for me. I am going to make that my goal this week. Exercise at least 20 min. day/4 times. I know I can do it...it is a choice! Hope all is well with the other Team Lean members out there!

WI day - 3 lbs. gone!

2009-03-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

The scale finally moved a bit....3 lbs. down this week! My new motto has been "slow and steady wins the race!" I have been just reminding myself that even a pound a week would be fine....I am still trying to say that in my head and believe it in my heart. I have been so programmed by who knows what to just want to take the weight off quick. The only problem is it always comes back on! I think the reason I lost a little more this week was that I made an effort to choose my points wisely. Not eat so much pre-packaged WW food and treats. Eat more veggies and fruits. Exercise a little....still struggling with that one. Our family visited last week and they are both marathon runners. On Sunday my brother-in-law ran 20 miles for his training and my sis-in-law ran 6 miles while my hubby and I sat on the couch and watched TV. So I felt like a little bit of a slug. Realizing I will probably never run 20 miles (who knows miracles happen) I still would like to be a little more active. The weather is finally getting nicer so I might try to at least get out and walk with my family a couple times this week. I use to belong to a gym before we moved here and I went faithfully but after we moved and took a pay cut to come here and start a church, we aren't able to join the gym and pay for childcare so I have to be a little more creative with my working out. Well, it's off to eat breakfast...I love Saturdays!

WI day - 1 lb. gone!

2009-03-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Another week...another pound gone. I have to say I am trying not to get discouraged. I know a pound is a pound and if I lose a pound a week I'll be 50 pounds lighter in a year but it usually comes off quicker when I have done WW before. But I am going to stop complaining and rejoice in my progress. Almost 10 lbs. gone...it was 10 yesterday but my body decided to go up a little today :o) Probably shouldn't weigh myself everyday. I definitely need to bump up my exercise this week. That seems to be my biggest struggle right now. Hope all the other Team Lean gals are hanging in there!

Down 10 pounds!

2009-03-13T14:34:00.001-07:00

So today isn't my weigh in day but I happened to weight myself anyway (ok...I am a little compulsive about weighing) and I passed the 10 lb. mark. So I had my husband take a pic. I don't now if I can really tell a difference. Being almost 6' tall has it's disadvantages...one being that it takes a little longer to notice weight loss. On the upside....I get more points :o) Anyway, I think I am going to have my husband take a pic for every 10 pounds I lose. We'll call these "progress pics" and eventually I will have my "after" pic that I want (see previous post.) I have been OP (on program) for 20 days now. They say it takes 20 days to build a habit so let's hope :o) I am trying to vary my food a little bit and not get stuck in a rut. I went to the grocery store and tried to find some new things. One thing I found was Bolthouse Yogurt Salad Dressing...I bought the Poppyseed flavor. I had half the calories and fat as regular dressing and tastes yummy. I can't do fat free dressings so I try to find low fat alternitives. I am excited to try their other flavors too. I also bought some salad toppers to give my salad crunch. Southwest flavored for my Southwest chicken salad and Ginger Sesame for my Asian chicken salad. Can you tell I am craving salad right now. With that said...I need to go get my butt kicked by Jilian. I bought the 30 day shred video. The hardest 20 minutes ever....hopefully it will get easier!

Every picture is a before picture....

2009-03-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

I have to say I am tired of looking at every picture I take and thinking "That would make such a great "before" picture!" My friend posted these pics to facebook and wasn't too excited to share them with all of my facebook friends (especially the ones I haven't seen in years and knew me almost 100 pounds lighter. I guess looking at them can give me the motivation to make the changes I need to, so other pictures from now on can be "progress" pics and "goal" pics. Some of the pics turned out okay...mainly the ones where it was just a head shot :o) These were taken about a month ago so I have made some progress since then...

WI day - 1.8 lbs. gone!

2009-03-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

I weighed myself this morning and I lost 1.8 pounds. I was hoping it would come off a little faster but I am sure my body is confused because I have started and stopped so many times. I also have been great about staying on program with my points but I haven't been exercising....a huge part of the equation I know! So this week I am setting a goal of exercising at least 3 times. I would love to do it everyday but with 4 kids it is hard to find the time. I am hoping to be able to get up with them in the morning and while they are getting ready for school I can do the elliptical or do a workout video. The only problem is I am sure I will get distracted helping them keep on track for the morning. I have found with myself that if I don't work out in the morning it doesn't happen. Does anyone else struggle with this? I need to just make the time and realize that it will make me feel better and have more energy in the long run. Well, I am off to eat breakfast...my tummy is growling!

1 point Peanut Butter Chocolate Haystacks

2009-03-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

Just found this recipe on another blog for 1 point Haystack cookies. She has a video of her making the recipe. Maybe you have already heard of them or tried them but if you have not they are absolutely delicious! I actually added a little something to my recipe which made them even more fabulous! Here is the recipe if you want to try some for yourself!

1/4 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. chocolate chips ( I used mini choc chips)
Add both ingredients to a micro safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes until chips are melted.

Mix well and add:
1 c. fiber one cereal

Mix the cereal with the pb and chocolate mixture until all of the cereal is coated. Drop spoonfuls on to cookie sheet. Here is my ingredient I added: sprinkle a little salt (I used ground rock salt) on each cookie while they are still warm. Let them cool on the counter or put them in the fridge to cool or if you live in Montana you can out them on your back deck and they will cool off very quick :o) They end up tasting like yummy chocolate covered pretzels...a little salty and a little sweet! My kids loved them too and my husband has been eating them for breakfast! I am sure you can double the recipe if you want to make more because 9 doesn't last very long! Enjoy!

Still here....

2009-03-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

I am still on program....9 days and counting. I have wanted to blog more but haven't been able to find the time. I have been sticking to the program faithfully. Now I need to make the time to exercise. I have a beautiful elliptical sitting in my family room...I just don't seem to make the time to get on. Today I even got dressed as if I was going to work out but here it is almost dinner time and I still haven't gotten on. Maybe it will click one of these days! One major accomplishment for me this week was going to a potluck and being totally in control. I have a friend at church who is doing WW too so we planned before hand, I brought a southwest chicken salad and a WW friendly dessert and she brought yummy chicken cream cheese enchiladas. We both calculated the points so we knew what we were eating and I didn't feel like I was missing out on all of the other food. I was able to come home from the potluck not feeling all bloated like I typically do. I have also been trying to plan my week ahead so I know what to plan for. I am still doing the Wendi plan and I really like it. Last week I had my high point day on Friday, the day before my WI but I still lost weight. I treated myself to Starbucks and had pizza for dinner. I need to go now to put my green chili and chicken enchiladas in the oven. Hope all the Team Lynn people are doing great!

Fruity-tooty!

2009-02-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

OK...I am sure this is TMI but since I have started eating healthier (6 days OP now) I have had so much more gas! I am sure it is to be expected filling my body with all that fiber and fresh fruit and veggies that it is not use to but it is getting a little unbearable! Any suggestions out there on what to do. I am sure my body will adjust but I thought in the meantime maybe a little Gas X or an enzyme of some sort to help. Just thought I would throw out that question. Truthfully I hope no one really reads this because it is a little embarrasing :o) But I feel like I want to make this blog (I have another one for family stuff) all about my weight loss journey...ups and downs. So this is me being real :o) Go team Lynn! Hope everyone out there is losing! Tomorrow is my WI day...more will be revealed. If I lose big...then maybe the excess gas is all worth it!

My PB2 is on it's way!

2009-02-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

I just ordered some PB2...3 regular and 1 chocolate. I found this stuff a couple years ago and I L-O-V-E it! Unfortunately, they don't sell it in any stores around here so you have to order it directly from Bell Plantation. It is also a little spendy...but worth every penny if you are a peanut butter lover! For those of you that haven't heard of PB2, the reason I love it so much is that it is much lower in calories and fat then the real stuff.....only 53 calories, 2 grams of fat and .5 grams of fiber for every 2 tablespoons. It comes in a powdered form (a little different but you get used to it) and you mix the powder with water. You end up with about 1 tablespoon of actual peanut butter when you are finished mixing. I think it has a great natural peanut butter taste...almost like freshly ground peanut butter. Well, I won't go on and on anymore...I am just a little excited about it. I have been craving peanut butter but haven't wanted to use 5 points for a serving.

As far as the program goes, I am still doing well. 5 days back on the wagon...still journaling, drinking my water and sticking to my points. I am following the Wendi plan, so tomorrow is my big day. I am thinking however about switching to Saturday because I have to WI Saturday morning and I am not sure how that would work. Hope everyone on Team Lynn is hanging in there. I know I feel so much better after eating well...even if it has only been 5 days. For once in this competition I am actually looking forward to my WI on Saturday!

Still on program!

2009-02-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Yea...it has been 4 days and I am still op! I now this doesn't sound like a great accomplishment to some of you but for me it is. Lately I have stopping and starting just about every other day. I have been praying that it would click and I would find the motivation and I have for the last 4 days. Still realizing this is a life long process and I need to take it day by day of course. Every day I have been telling my husband "If I get off program...please remind me that it really isn't that hard to eat within my points." Of course, he will never tell me that because he is great like that...not ever mentioning my weight or weight loss things. Anyway, for today I am happy to be eating within my points. I feel like I have more energy and I just feel better all around when I am OP. Something that has really helped is reading everyone else's blogs and seeing that they struggle with the same stuff. So thanks to all of you in blogland for your encouragement!

Back on the wagon!!

2009-02-23T19:31:00.001-08:00

I am finally back after one month exactly. Pretty much went on vacation, came back home, could never get caught up with everything and....ate my way through the stress. I have praying that I would find the motivation this last month and something finally clicked again. Not sure what but I will take whatever motivation I can get :o) So I have been OP for 2 days now. Weighing and measuring everything and using my food journal. That is how I have lost weight in the past and I have found that it is what works for me. I am also using the Wendi Plan which has also worked well for me. I find that it gives me a little variety in that I am eating a different amount each day and not the same 30 points for example. I have also been getting on my elliptical and using the Wii fit to exercise...so much fun! I feel bad that I haven't been much of an asset to team Lynn but hopefully I can add something to the totals these next few weeks. I am going to try to be better about posting...not that anyone is reading this but it helps keep me accountable :o)

Help....I am hungry!

2009-01-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have posted....we were on vacation until Monday and then I have been playing catch up. Unfortunately, I didn't stay OP on vacation....it was hard with eating out every meal. I did try to share meals with my husband which maybe helped a little and we walked a lot. I got right back on track when we got home and have been doing good for a few days....and then it happened last night. I pretty much wanted to eat everything in the house. After my binge....a few pieces of WW candy, then Chex mix and then frosting (I know yuck!) I felt sick. I went to bed thinking I will wake up and start over again. Well, my morning got away from me and I hadn't gotten a chance to eat breakfast so into the pantry I go....I look at the oatmeal....no...I look at a Fiber One bar...no....then I spot the Lucky Charms....yea that is a good choice...what am I thinking? 2 bowls later I feel the need to confess on the internet. Not even sure if anyone reads this but I was thinking it would make me feel better to just get it out and start over. That has been my problem in the past....I will do well for a little while...mess up and totally fall off the wagon. I need to learn how to just get up, not beat myself up, brush it off and start again. I am just a little tired of the same old stupid decisions I make. Well, I need to go get ready for the day....praying I find the strength to just get back with the program ;o)

5.4 pounds gone!

2009-01-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

Yea! I just weighed in this morning and I lost another 5.4 lbs. for a total of 8.8. I made myself a mini-goal of losing 10 pounds before leaving for Florida on Tuesday. It's not like 10 pounds makes a lot of difference in the way I look being a tall girl but I think it will make me feel better overall. I seem to have the eating thing down this week as far as staying on program but I am having a little trouble making time to exercise...anyone else struggle with that? Next week when we are in FL without kids I am hoping to use the hotel gym each morning and then we will be walking around as well which should be good. Maybe that will give me the kick start I need so I can come back and work our regularly.

Here is my food journal for the day:

Breakfast:
1 pkg. Quaker "High Fiber" brown sugar insant oatmel (3 points, 10 grams of fiber)
Fiber One yogurt (1 point)
2 Jennie O turkey sausage links (2 points)

Lunch:
1 cup 15 bean soup with turkey sausage and veggies (6 points)

Snack:
Dryers Low Fat Ice Cream Bar (3 points)

17 points to go...not sure what the plan is for dinner yet?

Hope everyone out there in blogland is having a great "on program" week!

Go team Lynn!

I will survive!

2009-01-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

That is my mantra for this new working out thing..."I will survive!" It is not that new to me...I have worked out on and off for years now but the last year our life has been so busy that I have taken myself off the "to-do" list (yes I stole that straight from Oprah.) To sum it up, in the last year my husband finished his pHD, quit his career, we put our house on the market, moved our family of 6 to Missoula, MT to start a church that my husband would pastor, moved into a rental, rented our house in Idaho that didn't sell, started building a house at the same time we started the church, finished building the house and moved in and then Christmas came and here I am...didn't make much time for myself to work out and eat healthy in 2008 ;o) Well enough of feeling sorry for myself...2009 is a new year!

I did survive my first day with the trainer and she gave me some very small goals for this week. I mentioned she is a good friend of mine and she knows me very well and knows that I tend to be an all or nothing person which doesn't work well with the healthy lifestyle. She encouraged me to workout 10/min. a day for the next 4 days...I know it sounds crazy but she knows if I do that I will feel like I achieved my goal and then we can move on to something bigger.

Next week my husband and I are heading to Florida for a meeting so that will be a little bit of a challenge as far as the eating out thing. But I will go armed with my WW Dining Out companion and healthy snacks and it should all be good. We are leaving our 4 kids so it should make it a relaxing trip as well!

Here is my food journal for the day:

Breakfast:
1 "Western Bagel" alternitive english muffin (1 point)
1 TBSP. Peanut Butter (2.5 points)
1 TBSP. Jam (1 point)

Lunch:
2 Taco Bell Spicy Chicken Soft Tacos (8 points)

My little sugar binge in Walmart as I was grocery shopping:
1 WW Cookie (1 point)
1 piece WW candy (1 point)
1 WW cake (1 point)

Dinner:
1 cup 15 bean soup with turkey sausage and veggies (6 points)

Total Points: 21.5

This wasn't a real normal day for me because I normally try to eat at least 30 points and I try to fit in more fruits and veggies but I was on the go. The positive part of the day was the Taco Bell trip....what I use to eat for lunch was 21 points....yikes! So that is a positive change ;o)

Hi ho hi ho...it's off to the gym we go!

2009-01-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

That's right....I am going to the gym tomorrow. It has been a good year since I have stepped foot in a gym. I have signed up to train with one of my best friends who is a personal trainer. She does group training several times a week so the good thing is there will be other people there for her to pick on....not just me ;o) Actually, she is a very balanced personal trainer. The kind that believes in every thing in moderation so that is good. We talked about some goals tonight and I thought I would right them down just to remind myself what I want to accomplish through this process.

Feel healthy again ~ I mean like being able to run and play with my 4 kids and not feel winded, go out to sled with them instead of just watching them out the window because I don't want to hike up the hill....you got the picture ;o)
Fit into the clothes that are in my closet ~ I am not asking to be a size 4 or 6...I just want to fit into the clothes in my closet which have all gotten too tight lately. I have a good range of clothing from 10-20...crazy I know ;o) I don't like to get rid of anything just in case it might fit again and it will!
Feel comfortable in front of my husband ~ I have a wonderful husband that would never say anything negative about the way I look...it is just a confidence issue of my own that I need to deal with.

OK....so those are some of my goals. Although I like to see the scale move down, I don't want that to be my focus so much. And I do want this to be a new lifestyle and not just another fad diet...thus the Live-it not the die-t! Well, enough for now, I gotta get my rest so my new trainer can kick my butt in the morning ;o)

Santa Fe Chopped Chicken Salad

2009-01-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

1 can (12oz) canned chicken (I buy the Costco brand - love it!)
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1/2 cup 2% cheddar cheese
1 bag salad greens

Dressing:
1/2 cup light ranch
1-2 tsp. chili powder (depending on taste)

Drain chicken, black beans and corn and mix in a bowl. Toss with salad and add cheese. I then use my salad chopper (Pampered Chef) or kitchen shears to chop the salad. Mixing all ingredients well. Mix ranch and chili powder and toss into salad.

Makes 4 servings. 4 points per serving.

This is one of my favorite salads. So filling and so yummy. I made it today for lunch and decided to post the recipe because I remembered how much I like it. Enjoy!

Some pics of past and present

2009-01-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

Nov. 2008 with one of my best friends...a personal trainer and my other best friend is a dietitian and I wonder why God has put these people in my life ;o)

December 2007 (about 60 pounds over goal...yuck)

December 2007

Spring 2008 ~ note to self...never look down at the camera ;o)

December 2003 (at my WW goal weight)

April 2004 (still at my WW goal weight)

A little about me....

2009-01-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog...My Live-it! Because it is not a die-t!

If you have arrived here it is probably because you found my blog on the Biggest Loser Blog Edition. Although this blog is new...I am not new to the blogging world. I have a family blog that I update with pics for friends and family however I decided starting this blog would help me keep accountable with my weight loss efforts. I am also not new to the weight loss world. It seems that I have been yo-yoing since I was born ;o) I mean seriously straight out of the womb my mom started Weight Watchers and it has been part of my life ever since. She became a Weight Watchers leader and I did my first round with WW when I was a sophomore in high school. Looking back I wasn't that overweight but even a little seems like a lot when you are in high school so I lost some weight and kept it off until college. And then I was introduced to the Freshman 15. Well, I will spare you all of details of the next 20 years, to make a long story short 4 kids and years later I have been up and down more times that I care to count. I mean seriously when will I learn?

Well, I for one hope it is this year. The difference this time is I want to lose weight to be healthier. It seems that before it has always been so I can fit into certain clothes, where the small clothes that are already in my closet, look better for (fill in the blank), you know the story. But this time I am really wanted to lose the weight so I can feel better, know that I am healthy inside, not worry about having heart attack, go up and down my stairs without my knees hurting and so much more. Don't get me wrong....I would love to fit into cute jeans and look good for my 20th reunion but they are not on the top of my list anymore.

I thought joining the BLBE contest would give me that added push and help me accountable. I also plan to attend WW meetings (as an over-goal lifetime member), workout and take advantage of one of my best friends discounted services as a personal trainer...kind of a nice connection. I look forward to seeing what the results will be after the 16 weeks and more importantly what the results will be long term.

Today...I am ready to Live-it...not die-t!