Back In The Saddle Again!

No, I'm not riding a horse or a bull or any other critter! However, I am back on my diet program with Metabolic Direct.

I have always been different! Most people gain weight in the winter when they are shut indoors and indulging in comfort foods.  Me, well, I gain in the Summer.  It probably has more to do with the fact that I seem to travel a lot and eat out a lot in the Summer, than it does with the season itself.

Every Summer about this time, I get on the scales one morning and go - YIKES! How did that happen? Where did it come from?  Well, probably from the delicious Zeppe's Italian Ice and Vanilla Custard...oh yum.  Then there are the Smore's cooked over the open fire, and the hot dogs, and the travel to Paris where ALL the food is irresistible and delicious!  Oh my.  Back to my normal routine or I will have a whole closet full of clothes I can not wear anymore! Nope, can't afford that for sure! And, to add to the drive, I'm going on a Cruise in December! You can't hide fat in cruise clothes!  Aaaauuuggh...

I wish it were as easy to be thin now as it was when I was 17!  Of course, back then I walked everywhere, played basketball and softball and probably didn't have access to junk food.  I was too busy to eat!  The first time I really gained weight was when I was in Nursing School.  There was never time to eat properly and so McDonalds Quarter Pounder with cheese and fries became a staple in my world..to the tune of probably 40 pounds or more...I really didn't take a lot of notice about it until the graduation pictures! Oh my, is that me?  A size 20?  How on Earth???

I have dieted and changed the way I eat several times and lost weight, but it was about three years ago when I looked at a picture of myself with my husband at Universal Studios. Who are those people?  That did it.  I got busy and took off 50 pounds on my own, but then I was STUCK!

So I began to hunt for some program or method that would work for me.  I had been to WW in the past and wasn't really impressed...oh I lost some weight, but it came right back...counting points and still eating hamburgers isn't the way to go for me.  I had tried Fit For Life, geesh that is a lot of fruit!

Anyway after having tried so many programs and still being overweight, I came across the Metabolic Research people in Macon, Georgia.  I reviewed the program and it seemed like a sensible way to lose weight.  Between October 3rd and December 20 I lost 50 pounds! Success.  They hired me to work for them!  My clients would walk in and not believe my "before" picture.  I actually had one man say "I want to talk to that tall skinny blond."  I hadn't been a tall skinny blond since High School.
Losing weight is not just about vanity.  It is more about "health."  I don't want to be one of those who has to have knee replacements and can't do all the things I did 30 years ago.  I want to keep healthy and keep moving.  I want to motivate others to do the same.  Life is short...let's live it!

I ran my first 5K 100 pounds lighter than I was the year before on February 23, 2012 (my 66th birthday).  I actually came in third in my age group..(I was just happy I didn't DIE trying).  I have managed to do pretty well until this Summer.  A trip to London and Paris in May, Maryland in June and then to Georgia and finally two weeks in Norway (where my host was a Chef!), and a one week visit from my College age grandson (and I ate hot dogs and fun stuff like that) and I have found myself 25 pounds up!  Oh my gosh!

So this week beginning on Sunday I got back to the program that has been so good to me. It really isn't hard to follow and it works great.  I have already lost 8, yes EIGHT pounds! While I know that rate of loss will not continue, I intend to have lost 20 more pounds by October 15th! I don't do any ridiculous amount of exercise.  I do like to walk about 4 miles at least 3 times a week while the weather is good and I snowshoe in the Winter.  If you have a dog, taking him or her for a nice brisk walk will be good for both of you; and despite previous evidence to the contrary, you need to get at least 15 minutes of sunshine on your body a day to make adequate Vitamin D...so many are deficient in Vitamin D now because of Sunscreen...leave the sunscreen at home and get your 15 minutes.  Recent research is saying exactly that! No, don't get burned...get 15 minutes!

I have fought the "weight loss" battle many times, but I never intend to get back to the weight that I was before Metabolic Research.  I am actually an independent Weight Loss Consultant for them now out here in Utah.  That is good for me and good for my clients.  So, my blogging friends, I will let you know how I progress, and if you want to join me give me a message.

PEACE, LOVE and JOY

Exercise, Exercise, Come On Everybody Do Your Exercise!!!

EVERYBODY needs to exercise. I don't care whether you are 5 or 95, you need to get moving.

Yep, it is much easier for those five-year-olds, but you are never to old to do some kind of exercise. Right now, I have found that water aerobics works well for me. I have problems with a Morton's Neuroma in my left foot, so walking and running are off limits. But, jumping and running in the water, where there is less pressure on my foot works great.

Here is the news though...like any other exercise you have to WORK at it. Some of the ladies in my class just get in the nice warm pool and float around and chat. It drives me tea totally CRAZY!! They are chubby and so out of shape and they really need to be moving, but that is not the only problem. Their constant gossiping and chatting makes it hard for those of us who are serious about our exercise to focus.

I must admit that today, after putting up with it for several minutes, I finally began to turn around and stare at them (giving them the evil eye) hoping they would get the message...sigh, don't know if they ever did. I am there to exercise and to produce those marvelous endorphins that help me get through the rest of the week.
I would love to have a couple of minutes to address the class one day to explain how important this one hour three times a week is for some of us.

This is my only relief from my caregiving duties. I not only need the exercise to help with my weight loss, but to help with my mental status! It needs to be a "stress free" environment!

I can actually feel the difference after a good workout...mentally as well as physically. It is important for you to encourage your children to MOVE also.
Too many children nowadays sit in front of the computer, television or X-Box and don't exercise at all. They have eliminated physical education in many school systems throughout the United States. Many children don't even get to go out for "recess" any more! Wonder why childhood obesity is on the upswing? Well, just take a look at school lunches and add in the fact there is NO exercise, and .... well you see the results everywhere!

Find out what kind of exercise works for you. Perhaps tennis, or hiking or just walking in your neighborhood. How about joining your children or grandchildren in an outdoor game like hide and seek? Whatever it is, GET MOVING! You will feel better and look better too!

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Here is a neat home made dressing my husband just loves on his salad...so much better for you than the bottled stuff!

1 Ripe Haas Avocado, chopped
1 Ripe Tomato, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh or bottled key lime is perfect)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Chop all vegetables in small dice...add lime juice and vinegar and mix thoroughly. The ripe avocado (this is a healthy fat) makes this mixture creamy.
If you like you can puree the avocado, but I haven't found this to be necessary.

A couple of tablespoons of this atop your usual green salad and voila! It's great and healthy for you, and much fewer calories than your average salad dressing.

WORK IT PEOPLE...and I will see less of you tomorrow!!!

Remembering and Appreciating

We were up at 4:30 AM today and at the Park by 5:30!
Mom, Dad and their little triathlete went to the "transition area" and set up the bicycle for the ride to come.

The temperature in Alpharetta this morning was only 53 degrees when the kids had to jump feet first into the pool for the first laps before they rode their bicycles. That took guts.

The kids were all amazing. From the littlest to the oldest, they swam, bicycled and ran to the finish line...they really were IRON KIDS! It was also fun to watch the parents, and grandparents (including me) RUN from one venue to another! Whew, we all got our exercise.

And none of us there, in spite of the excitement of the day, forgot the date and it's significance.

I stood and watched as the children and their parents and thought about how blessed we all were to be standing there alive today. It was painful to think about how many people are remembering ten years ago and grieving the loss of their loved ones. None of us will ever be the same after that day. As we drove out of Atlanta, I remembered driving through Atlanta the day after the attacks and there was not a plane in the sky! It was such an eerie thing, as when you drive up Interstate 75 through Atlanta the skies are usually lined up with planes waiting to land.

We all need to pray that nothing like that ever happens in this country again. We need to learn to love each other and become ONE NATION, keeping that feeling of being one Nation instead of a divided Nation in our hearts every day.

I shed tears today as I saw my little athlete mount her bicycle, and then again when she was running toward me as she ran for the Finish Line...

I have had a close brush with death on three occasions, and yet I am still here. I have been blessed with healthy children and grandchildren. I get so much joy from watching them grow up and become caring, loving and intelligent beings. I am especially thankful today..."but for the grace of God" I or one of my family members could have been on one of those planes or in one of those buildings. Thank God if you can hug your family members today. Don't ever leave the house without telling them how much you love them. Give love and praise frequently. Share Joy!

Congratulations Miss Ashlyn on your wonderful performance today. We were all so very proud of you as usual. You are a special girl, and you did your best today.
Fantastic Job! Go-Girl-Go!

After the run....think she might be tired?

Working It! Water Aerobics

Okay, enough of lolly gagging around...I've got to Move It, Move It! Especially if I want to shed the next 27 pounds. My goal is still to be at goal weight by Thanksgiving. That is going to take some serious movement.

So, first thing this morning I headed for The Cantrell Center, in Warner Robins, Georgia. They have a great heated (really doesn't need that heat right now!) pool, and Donna is a fantastic instructor for Water Aerobics.

Now if you are laughing and thinking that water aerobics can't be all that difficult, then you need to come with me some time. Of course you can just kinda lay back and watch and waddle, but if you really DO IT for one hour, you can burn a bunch of calories and firm up some of that flab at the same time.

Today is the first day of my three day a week exercise program to get the rest of this weight off for good! Water aerobics is great because it doesn't stress the joints like running or jogging. You don't sweat! LOL, and somehow it is just more relaxing than the boring treadmill or machines. The music is upbeat and makes you want to keep moving to the beat. Check out a Wellness Center in your town. I think you will find this is an inexpensive and healthy way to get that body back into shape.

I am going to give you a recipe today that you can either make the fattening way, or the "slimmed down" way. Either way, believe me it is absolutely delicious (and no one can tell the difference which is which).

SUMMER STRAWBERRY TRIFLE

THIS PICTURE actually depicts three of my favorite trifles, and I will share those other recipes at another time.

1 Large Box Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (you can use fat free/sugar free)
16 ounces Cool Whip (again, can use fat free/sugar free)
2 pound cakes (can use angel food instead) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 Pound container strawberries, cut up (save a few for garnish)
1 cup sugar (or Splenda or Truvia)
1 can Whipped Cream

Cut up and macerate strawberries overnight in refrigerator in sugar or artificial sweetener.

1. Mix Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix with Cool whip and set aside.
2. Cover bottom of clear bowl with cubes of cake
3. Spoon 1/3 of Strawberries over cake
4. Spoon and spread pudding mixture over the strawberries (you will not that
the mixture has obtained a kind of cheesecake texture)
5. Repeat layers until bowl is full.
6. Top with whipped cream and a few strawberries you have set aside for garnish

This trifle will serve 15 hungry people....and you will get rave reviews! Not only is is pretty to look at, but it is delicious to eat, and simple to make!

Other favorites of mine include a Mocha Crunch Trifle, and a Caramel Apple one.