So a new start

I completely feel off the wagon.


I had started to eat better and walking at least one mile a day with two kids in toe one having to walk also that was a  HUGE thing! 
Then we had some family things go on and I was stuck in the house for one week and then got sick so no more excuses.

I am going to start again. I need to work on portion size as today I was eating breakfast and realized I was eating more like two servings instead of the one I thought I was so double the calories not something I need.

What are you going to work on. I am also going to see if there are some free classes out there to try as a gym membership is out of the budget right now.



Thanks for listening Julia

Going Green

I've recently discovered green smoothies, and I am smitten! Rather than giving a lengthy explanation, here's a great video telling you all you need to know..

And here's the smoothie I made for myself this morning with spinach, frozen tropical fruit, a banana and unsweetened coconut milk:

Good eats!!

Where I Was and Where I Am

I thought it would be fair to show you a pic of me at my heaviest (eep!) I don't have a good full-on photo like my July one, but here are a few to give you an idea of what we're dealing with here:

February 2009 at a friends baby shower.

(too blurry to enlarge much)

These last two are from a family event in November 2009 (yes, that's my nephew I'm holding but let's leave his cuteness out of this).

So that's where I really started. By July when Julia started this blog (again, thank you!!) I had already lost about 20 pounds. Yay me!

A few things about Where I Was:

1. Rarely exercising
2. Not eating "right"
3. Eating too much
4. Not getting out of the house to get fresh air
5. Not drinking enough water
6. Snacking too much
7. Not staying away from sugar like I should

I should admit that in between then and now I had a bit of a yo-yo. I went from being employed full time to getting laid off. No worries on the job front because I have my business to fall back on- but unfortunately, I also fell back on some bad habits that resulted in a bit of a gain. The good news is I didn't let that discourage me and that brings us to now..

Where I Am:

1. Exercising more- still lots of room for improvement, but every bit helps
2. Eating much better. I've cut out most animal products and am staying on a mostly plant-based diet (not because of moral objections to meat-eating, but for health and environmental reasons). I also pretty much stay away from dairy (some cheese but no milk- I use coconut milk, yummy!)
3. I'm possibly eating as much as before, but it's mostly fruit and veggies, so no problem there
4. It's very hot right now in AZ, so this will be better in a month than it is now
5. I get plenty of water now, including quite a bit from the produce I'm eating
6. With all the fruit I'm getting at all my meals, I don't feel the need to snack
7. I get a little bit of sugar in my morning coffee, but not really anything else for the rest of the day

I started reading Eat to Live (Dr. Fuhrman) recently; it's about eating a vegetarian diet (though there are meat options discussed in the book as well). There's a 6-week plan that I decided to start yesterday. So far so good (not too different from what I was doing already- just adding much more beans and really paying attention to what you're eating) So far so good, but we'll see how it goes won't we? So far, no hunger pains and I have really good energy.

As for the goal that was posted (going to bed earlier): I wasn't doing very well on this until last night. Previously I just couldn't fall asleep- I'd just lay there.. thinking, and it just threw off my sleep schedule. But the night before last I only got about 3 hours of sleep so last night I went to sleep at 9pm (so early!) and slept mostly through the night (one bathroom dash, no biggie). Hopefully this signals a trend. I really have to get on a regular sleep schedule because school starts on the 23rd. Cross your fingers for me!!

Julia will post our weights tomorrow (no, not actual numbers!!.. ok, ok, guess I have to fess up to them, huh?) o_0

Emily

I'm craving chocolate today.

Its Monday

So ok gals and guys. This weeks goal. Go to bed earlier even if it is 20mins earlier then normal experts say sleep is very important when your trying to lose weight. So lets see how we do....

Also I'm thinking Fridays are going to be our weigh in days. What do you think? So this week will be the first you can email me and that way I'll just post all the weights in one post. So please get them to me Friday before noon P.T. Thanks Also if want a invite please email me Julia at turkeylips (at) gmail (dot) com.


Keep up the great work and as long as your doing your best everyday is a new one.

Somehow I lost 5 pounds. Woot woot yea for me!! :D

Laura Before pictures

 So. Here my pics are me in all my 35lbs overweight at 160lbs. I started gaining weight in 2006 when we closed our primary source of income our company. I started eating for comfort but then couldn't control it. Now 35 lbs later. . . I hate the way I look and feel. So. It's time to change. I feel for the first time in my life that it's ok to take time to care for me. To make myself feel good. So this blogging is to hold me accountable for the good and bad days and to document my journey to thin again. I have this great pair of white lace up the front jeans that I want to wear again. Besides I feel better when I'm thin both physically and spiritually. 

So I forgot I needed to bake a sugar-free pumpkin pie for my Grandmother for tomorrow and ended up making a peach pie with a crumble top crust, but I was

stressing when I started baking so I keep looking around the kitchen for snacks. Back away from the kitchen!

Wow! I set this up so it will be cake (oh yum) to post now. I will have my boy take a picture tomorrow after church so you can see me in my overweight glory.

( I'm so glad that Jules set this up. I cheated today and had a frozen snickers but I have been craving chocolate for like 3 days and I just finished steam Not an excuse I know but I will get back on my routine tomorrow.

Oatmeal squares for breakfast, fiber shake and fruit for lunch, chili & homemade cornbread for dinner and stairmaster & situps, & girl pushups until my arms are strong enough.
 My weakness is sunherbal tea. I love to drink it but need to start sweetening it with 1/2 xyletol (available at health food stores or online) and 1/2 sugar. Less calories that way so I won't feel guilty.

Starting a diet/ exercise program AGAIn!

Weighing in....

Ok so I'm thinking about doing a weekly or Biweekly weigh in. What do you think? Also what do you eat for Breakfast? Are you drinking enough water. I know I love water but my weakness is soda. What is yours?

Emily's Intro & Before Photo

Well hello! This is my opportunity to introduce myself to all of you and to tell you how excited I am to be here! My name is Emily G., I am 29 years old and live in Phoenix, AZ. I have been married for 10 years now and DH and I have a miniature pinscher named Milo that we spoil. My blog is withoutcontext.blogspot.com. Julia has been awesome enough to me invite to participate in this journey and I think this is a great idea-I've known Julia for literally her entire life (we grew up next door to each other), so that doesn't surprise me!

Here is my "Before" photo, all fancified with picnick.com (DO check that site out!):

Thanks for including me- I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you!

Before

Ok ladies it is time to put up our lovely but motivational before pictures. And you lucky ladies get to see me in ALL my glory right after giving baths and getting 4 kiddos to bed. Ok your turn ....


Also if you want to be part of this blog or just want to put up your pictures and weigh in you can email me  Julia at turkeylipsw83(at) gmail (dot) com

Starting Today.

We need the support from everyone around us. We are hear to help each other get though the tough days and nights. Please only helpful encouraging word. If you have a workout you like let us know. If you have a favorite dish that you love post the recipe.