Inches...or FEET?

As of today, I have officially LOST 39 inches from my body...yes, that's 3 FEET and 3 inches!!!! INCREDIBLE. I've also lost 67.5 lbs. My students weigh that much...so, I've lost a 5th grader! Does it get any better than this? As a matter of fact....(yes it does, read on)...

I also saw my doctor and was told that I have officially hit "the place" where MAJOR health risks can be REMOVED from my health profile. In other words... me dying of a heart attack at 50 is NOT in my future. THANK GOD.

I feel so blessed today to have such an incredible support system in place... the people who love and support me so that I am able to dedicate time to this goal.

Eating is FUN...and beautiful!

Eating can be both healthy AND fun when you follow the rules of portion control. That's easier said than done... how many of us have spent money on, and messed around with scales and measuring cups just to make sure we are on the right track?

I saw these beautiful plates on a show the other day and have decided that I will purchase a set for myself when I reach my next goal. (I set MANY mini-goals and reward myself inexpensively EVERY chance I get!)

These plates have designs on them that allow you to recognize proper portions without scales and measuring cups! Just put your veggies on the biggest "flower" or whatever patten you prefer, carbs on the second largest and proteins on the smallest. SO COOL and these are just another way to make eating FUN!
http://www.slimware.com/default.asp

What is gait analysis and who cares?

The Boulder Running Company will provide a free gait analysis for free for anyone...just stop by one of their stores. Why is this important?

Watch the video and see.

Personally, I went in wearing a size 8 1/2 shoe. My knee has been hurting from running and I was told to check out my gait and current shoes. The gentleman at the Boulder Running Company in Littleton, CO spent over 1.5 hours with me checking my gait on video, trying on different shoes, and answering all of my running questions.

I left with a pair of size 10 shoes that fit me better than any athletic shoe I've ever worn! My foot is a 9, but runners need more room at the toe... who knew? No wonder my knees have been hurting... I also did not have proper support for the "pronation" on my left foot.

If you plan on running, visit these folks... they are amazing!

Motivator, oh motivator...where art thou?

You need to look for motivators along your weight loss journey. I have recently found two...

1. My school district is holding a "Team Lean Challenge". Schools are creating teams of staff members who want to lose weight and are tracking their individual loss. At the end of the challenge, the team with the most weight lost, wins. No prizes... just a fun motivator and way to support your peers!
2. Signing up for my first 7k run... I'm signing up tonight for the 2011 Denver "Runnin of the Green" for St. Patrick's Day. This is a 4.3 mile run. I've been running 4.2 on the weekends, so I feel confident I can do this one. I am enlisting friends to join me, so I won't back out.

Remember... do what is FUN for you in order to stay motivated. Don't do what others want you to do...do what is going to excite and motivate you! Good luck!

Hello Size 14...

So good to see you again!

My suggestion...second hand clothes stores while you are in clothing size transition.

My new favorite store...Clothes Mentor. Not only can I purchase clothes inexpensively, I can sell some of the clothes I am growing out of.

• My size 14 jeans and a pair of boots today = $13.00, sold $11.00 back to them...Heck of a deal!

Got Snacks?

My absolute favorite NEW snack comes from Vitalicious! They make Vitatops and other various products. I LOVE the Vitatops. They are only 100 calories and contain 8-10 grams of FIBER per snack.


I highly reccommend the corn bread, and pumpkin spice... so satisfying, and delicious, when you NEED bread!


Check out their web site... I also found these at my local grocery store in the frozen foods section. The variety is much bigger online.

BMI Victory!

The BMI chart for women shows 40.0-49.9 as Morbidly Obese.


When I began my journey in June 2010, my BMI rating was 38.89. I was already experiencing health related issues due to my weight.

35.0-39.9 = Severely Obese 30.0-34.9 = Obese 25.0-29.9 = Overweight

18.5-24.9 = HEALTHY

As of January 17, 2011 I am now at a BMI rating of 29.58.

I never thought I would be SO PROUD to say... "I'm overweight!!" I have come down 2 levels on the BMI rating scale. My chances of health related problems due to weight have decreased dramatically.


I'm coming for you 24.9!

Healthy Tools: BOOK Reccomendation

You have to have the right tools for the job... and the tools for me included a trainer, a gym, the Tap & Track app AND the book Transformation by Bill Phillips. Bill wrote Body for Life and has inspired many. This book, along with his daily motivational texts keep me positive, even when the going gets tough.

I recommend this book to everyone... not just to those wanting to lose weight. Transformation.com is another tool that you can utilize if you need/want. I prefer the daily texts, however, I have recently added the RSS feed to my Google account.

Chapters include:

• Lifetime Intentions
• Right Nutrition
• Progress Not Perfection
• The Positive Mindset
• Healthy Spaces Makeover, and
• Heart of Gratitude... just to name a few.

GREAT STUFF HERE. Check it out!

Dream Cookies

Dream Cookies


This recipe has seen me through MANY chocolate cravings in the past months. The recipe came to me from my father, Bill and step-mother, Cookie.

They are gluten free and are easy to make. Whip up a batch before bed and they're ready in the morning. I calculated them around 100 calories per serving. I make the cookies a little over teaspoon size, and I eat 3 per serving with a nice hot cup of coffee.

• 2 egg whites
• 1/3 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1. PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Beat egg whites until fluffy with a mixer, as for meringue. Add sugar, tartar, vanilla, almond extract, and cocoa powder, then beat until soft peaks form.
2. Add nuts and chocolate chips. Drop teaspoon size amounts onto lightly greased cookie sheet.
3. Place cookie sheet in oven and TURN OVEN OFF. Let cookies sit overnight.
4. In the morning, put them in an airtight container.

SO DELICIOUS!

Begin at the beginning...

On June 9, 2010 I walked into a health club with a job to do. I had basically 100 lbs to lose and I knew I needed help. I checked out a few health clubs in my area, and was most impressed with Bally Total Fitness. You can find a Bally Total Fitness in your area.

I knew I could not begin this journey alone, so I hired a personal trainer and committed my self to 12 sessions. In my mind, this was my summer job. I was finally ready to take this on...this desire came from within, not from anybody else. I have learned that it has to come from within.

My trainer told me that I had to begin tracking every morsel of food that went into my mouth. I truly have done that...good or bad, they all make their way into my daily food journal. I have used Tap & Track, available for iPhone. I can track my food as well as my exercise. This is a fantastic app! I can even export data to my email, where I can print reports so I can take them to my trainer on a weekly basis.

I will be adding many of the recipes, tips from friends, exercises, and ideas to this blog that have been a part of my current success. To date, I have lost 57 lbs. I've come down 2 scales on the BMI from "Severely Obese" to now "Overweight."

Join my on my journey... hopefully you too can find some inspiration and ideas. Share with me your success stories and let's sculpt that beautiful stone that lays within every one of us!