TSFL Week One finished

You know the first week is always the hardest.  I made it!!  I lost 5 pds. Monday's weight 227.
I took my measurements again-nothing changed.  I didn't expect that anyway.

I ordered my Medifast food and it arrived in two days! Super quick!  Wanted to try the new mashed potatoes-they are great!  Sour cream & chive. Yummmmm.

I've been walking my shih Tzu for several weeks now.  Approximately 20 minutes.  He's 4 pds overweight.  Don't laugh!  When you only weight 22 pds-4 pds is a BIG DEAL! 
I want him to have the best life possible-so he's got to exercise.

Made the trip to Sam's to buy HUGE amounts of chicken!  I love chicken salads.  Eat them almost every day-I just don't get tired of them.  Especially now with the garden tomatoes and cucumbers.  I've been blessed to have friends that have given me some.  Was able to freeze some tomatoes for later.

I'm feeling a lot less bloated.  I drink tons of water-so my legs ache sometimes.  The way to solve that-Power-Ade Zero.  Puts back the sodium and magnesium I'm washing out.

I've joined the 12 week challenge that is going on starting Monday.  You can join for FREE too!

Go here- Stop. Challenge. Choose.

I'll check in next week.  Until then-I hope your Living for Tomorrow Today!

Karen
 

I'm starting over-Medifast is my friend!

How many times do we go on a diet-lose weight....stop diet-gain weight...usually gaining more than we lost?  SO FRUSTRATING!!

When will I learn the proper way to eat?

I found the only eating plan that has EVER worked for me.  Take Shape For Life.  Get that last part-FOR LIFE?  It works if you do what the doctor says!!

I lost 75 pds in about 8 months.  Oct 2012-June 2013.  Then I started losing my focus. Eating a little extra (or something I really shouldn't eat at all) here and there.  It took several months-but I've gained 45 pds back. 

I'm not going to wait till I gain it all back.  I'm starting again TODAY!!!!

Starting weight 232.  I took all my measurements.  I've dusted off my books and I'm back serious!

I now have a 2nd grandchild and I've got even more incentive to get as healthy as I can.  I want to live a long time and enjoy every minute of them growing up!

I'm praying that new way of looking at food and feeding my body will be ingrained in me to the point I'll never go back to the old eating habits and patterns.

 

8 mths & going strong

Since starting my Take Shape For Life program in Oct 2012, I've lost a total of 74 pounds. 
The last few weeks have been tougher.  My focus has been wavering.
I've had to remind myself why I'm on this journey.

Wearing a size 12-14 is definitely a major prize!
But more importantly, I'm able to play with my extremely active 18 mth old granddaughter.
I've been able to come off of one of my high blood pressure pills, decreased my depression med from 225mg to 75 mg. Deleted my sleeping pill.

My doctors are ecstatic! 

I'm exercising daily and loving every minute! 

Since I've gotten rid of all my "bigger" clothes-there will be NO turning back!

Healthy life-I'm here to stay!!

The numbers are in!

Hello everyone in the blogging world!

I've been on Take Shape For Life 17 weeks.  Started 10/22/12. 

My starting weight was 261.8 and as of 2/18/13  it was 215.  That's a total of 46.8 pounds!! Woohoo

Even better are my measurements.

                     Start                    as of 2/18/13      Total inches lost

Bust               48.5                    45                       3.5
Upper stom     44                      38                        6
Waist              43.5                   37.5                     7
Hip                  53                     47                        6
Thigh              29.5                   25                        4.5
Calf                17                      15.5                     1.5
Arm                16.5                   15                        1.5

TOTAL INCHES 30 INCHES!!!!

I simply cannot believe it.  God is so good!  He lead me right to this program. He's given me the will power and strength to endure.  I feel like I'm going to make to the end!

There are so many little things I'm starting to notice. I can feel my collar bones starting to emerge!
I can cross my legs a lot more comfortably.  I can go up and down the stairs at work and not even be short of breath.

And EXERCISE!
Walking is of course, the easiest to do.  We have a couple of walking tracks near where I live and when it wasn't freezing cold-I've walked laps.
I've started a zumba class! That's definitely something I could have never done at my starting weight! 
We've been painting our den, kitchen and spare bath. We've sanded the floor boards. Now THAT was lots of exercise! Climbing up and down step ladder, bending, squating, sitting in floor, brush strokes-boy-it adds up!

It's all about moving more and I'm doing that.

Here's my new photos of myself:

TSFL 8 week update

I've stayed on program for 8 whole weeks!  Today is weigh in day-down 29 pds!!  233 and coming on down-LOL

They have some new items to choose from on the medifast menu.  Macaroni and Cheese and GRAVY! Not together silly! LOL 

I've already tried the Mac and Cheese and it taste EXACTLY like store bought kraft.  It is truly amazing how good they get this food to taste.  That's the only way I'm able to continue daily. 

I haven't totaled up my inches lost-but it's a lot!  I've already had to start a TOO BIG clothes box! Now that's a first.  I have had plenty of too little boxes -but never a too big.  LOL

I had a huge NSV (nonscale victory) today. Every year our office has "snack" day.  I've already been thinking about it.  Trying to think of what I could have.

Our menu:

BBQ Meatballs with turkey/beef
Ham Rollups
Dill pickles
cauliflower, broccili with ranch dressing
deviled eggs

Didn't eat: fudge & mini boston cream pies!!

I'll post the recipes for the meatballs & ham rollups later this week.

Here is pictures from today:

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a great week preparing for Christmas!

Mock Mashed Potatoes-Yumm!

Mock Mashed Potatoes
1 medium head cauliflower
1 T LF cream cheese, softened
1/4 c grated Parmesan
1/2 tea minced garlic
1/8 tea chicken base or buillion
1/8 tea pepper
3 T butter

Makes 3 servings

Take Shape For Life counts this:
LF cream cheese: 1/3 condiment
Parmesan cheese 1/3 condiment
Butter: 1 healthy fat

Directions:
Set a stockpot of water to boil over high heat. Clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces. Cook in boiling water for about 6 min or until well done. Drain well, do not let cool and pat cooked cauliflower very dry between several layers of paper towels. In a bowl with an immersion blender, puree the hot cauliflower with the other ingredients.
Hint: Try roasting the garlic and adding a little fresh rosemary for a whole new taste.

Pancakes-yumm!

Have had a good week. Haven't backslid! I cannot believe it!

God is so good!

He continues to bless my family & I.

I added my picture as of one month to the top of my blog. I can tell such a big difference in my clothes & my energy level.

I've cut back on my depression med. The doctor changed my amount from 225mg to 150mg.

I've started walking some days during my lunch time with a coworker.  When I let the dogs out I'm trying to get on my stationery bicycle which is sitting on my back porch.  Really convenient.

My new favorite medifast thing is the pancakes.  They cook up just like a real pancake. Have a vanilla flavor.

All in all-I'm still really satisfied with the plan. Am getting 90+ ounces of water per day.

Hugs!
Karen

Miracles Do Happen :o)

I've been bad! Haven't journaled since Wednesday.  I've thought about it-just haven't taken the time.

Have been following the program really well.  Today is weigh in day and I'm down on the scales again.

DRUM ROLL..............245.2!!!!!  That's total 16.5 pounds in 3 weeks!!!!

This is the easiest weight loss program I've EVER done! I just can't get over how it works.  I hope I don't find out in 5 years that it's really unhealthy and I'm going to die 20 years early or something! LOL

I fixed a turkey breast this weekend and that is really tasty.  Haven't had turkey in a long time. 

I also made a new recipe that a guy on our facebook group posted.  I changed it a little-didn't have almond milk.  Here's my version:

Squash Soup
3 large yellow squash
1/2 large onion
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
salt & pepper
garlic powder (called for real garlic/didn't have any)

Cook that until tender.

Put in blender and pulsed until smooth.  Added 2 tablespoons cream cheese to both batches. (called for half and half/didn't have any)

Turned out yummy-of course, I love soups.

My annual physical is tomorrow and I can't wait for them to weigh me. Can't wait to see the look on my doctor's face.  She's been trying to help me lose weight over the past 3 years.  She feels quite responsible for me being obese! Ridiculous!  Last year at this time she suggested I talk to a surgeon to have the lap band procedure done.
I was depressed for weeks.  I knew I wouldn't do it unless my weight became life threatening.  But just knowing she'd given up on me was VERY depressing.

This program Take Shape For Life was the answer all along-I just didn't know it.
My health coach is so supportive.  Can't wait to talk to her after work. 

Hope you have an excellent week!
I'll try to post like I'm supposed to!


Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.  Psm 37:4

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours.  Mark 11:24.

I asked God for a miracle-that's the only way I'd lose weight and he sent me Take Shape For Life!

Blessings to you!

Karen C

Overcome Stress with Prayer

Yesterday went by in a whirl wind! It must be a full moon-we had some crazy situations with our customers. Around 3pm I started thinking-I want something fattening to eat! When my mind started listing possibilities-I said NO!  You are not going to respond to stress with food.

I prayed and asked God to keep me from temptation, to help my emotions calm down. He distracted me and I was fine. A momentary weakness of the flesh!  I took some calming breaths and drank more water.

God is so good!  He sent me Alisha, my health coach. She's had her own weight struggles, but has won the battle!  She's my cheerleader, confidant & now friend.  I'm so thankful to have someone I can call anytime to ask questions. 

Monday's is our check in day.  We weigh (I've lost 11 pds in 2 weeks!!) I love saying that!! LOL
We discuss the homework book-that's right -homework!!  But it's interesting and relates to being healthy, making good choices, etc.

Yesterdays plan:
7am Orange drink
10:30am cereal
1PM chicken soup
4PM Orange Cream shake
7PM Made chicken salad-yummy
      5 oz chicken, 1 hardboiled egg, 1 dill pickle spear, 1 stalk celery, 2T cream cheese, 1T mayo
      1 cup diced tomatoes, salt & pepper
9:30pm parmesan puffs

Today is election day. I pray God's hand will be in the results.  Only he knows what's best for America.

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper

Psalm 37:3 NLT

Thankful for Choices

Not sure why we wait till November to remember what we are thankful for. The new thing in my life that I'm thankful for is Take Shape For Life.  This program is changing me for the better!

I've been waiting my whole overweight life for something that work for me to lose weight & do it in a healthy way.  I wanted my cake & eat it too!
The food replacements are surprisingly so much better than what I thought they would be. Pre-portioned with just the right amount of calories, protein, carbs, fat.  I don't have to figure up anything!

My favorite thing -within an hour of getting up- mix a packet of Hot Cocoa in my decaffinated coffee.  Yumm!

My second favorite is broccoli soup. Yumm #2!

Yesterday my lean & green was lunch with my parents.  Clarence's.  I picked the restaurant because I knew they had grilled chicken.  I asked my server how many ounces you get with the grilled chicken salad versus grilled chicken plate. 

I've NEVER asked anything like that before!  Kind of wierd.  But I had to know.

There is only 4 oz on the salad & 6 oz on the plate.  I ordered that plate.

What comes with the plate?  2 sides & bread.  Normally I would have gotten a baked potato or sweet potato.  This time I asked her to double my salad and keep the bread!!

I think my parents & my husband were SURPRISED!

This was my first eating out experience since I started the program.  I was very pleased that I was able to make different choices and my food was still EXCELLENT!  Very tasty.

I finished my day with Orange drink, broccoli soup & Honey mustard pretzels.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God

Ephesians 2:8 NLT

Have a happy Sunday!
Karen C

TGIF!!

Boy, the thought crossed my mind this morning-I'd like to have some pizza from Hema's.  Then I thought-NO! 
Stopped thinking about it right away.

But the last 2 nights-I've dreamed of cheating!!  Not on my husband-that would be normal.  I've been eating non-diet foods in my dreams!  I woke up thinking-oh no! I cheated.  Then I realized it was a dream.  Crazy huh?

Yesterday's Plan:

7AM broccoli soup (I can have it any time I want it! I love it!)
10AM broccoli soup (that's right- I can have it any time I want it! I love it!)
1PM Cheese Pizza chips
4PM Peanut Butter Bar
7PM Lean & Green:   4 oz roast beef & 1 oz LF cheese
                              1c lettuce, 1/2 c tomato & cucumber.
                              2 T vidalia onion dressing (healthy fat)
9:30PM oatmeal-YUCK!  It was awful. I tried putting an optional snack-walnuts in it-didn't help. Won't be buying that again!

Felt good all day. Seems I get a little hungry in the mornings. I just drink more water!  I'm hoping that is going to pass. 
I'm looking forward to being able to exercise a little.

Have a blessed Friday!!

Begin each new day as if it is the
 beginning of your life, for truly it is the
beginning of what is left of your life.

Karen C

Energy-I found you!

My energy levels have went up! I'm soooo glad!  I don't get sleepy during the day at work, I don't feel exhausted when I get off and this past weekend I was cleaning, painting, visiting a friend, cooking, and never got wore out!

It's amazing what eating the right food does for you.

Yesterday menu was:

7AM    Peach Tea
10AM  Chicken Noodle soup
1PM    Broccoli Soup
4PM    Chocolate Mint Bar
7Pm    Turkey Balls *recipe below (4oz)
          1 cup lettuce, 1/2 c cucumber
          Healthy fat: salad dressing 2T
          1 oz 2% cheddar cheese
9:30   cheese pizza sticks


Turkey balls:
98% lean ground turkey 1 pd
1/2 c diced onion
1/2 c diced green pepper
1/2 tea each:  garlic powder
                     chili powder
                     poultry seasoning
                     season salt
                     pepper
                     smoky paprika

Baked 35 min @ 350% until brown.

I feeling great and drinking WATER! Lots of it! 

The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace Psm 29:11

Hope you have a happy & healthy day!

Yeah Weekend!

I never had time to journal yesterday. I slept till the last minute to get to work-was crazy busy at work all day-was exhausted when I got home.  I took my lunch hour and went to the grocery store for lean & green supplies.  I hadn't read enough of my materials to trust myself to do that yet.

Thursday my legs ached really bad. I found out yesterday that sometimes happens due to low sodium or potassium.  Simple solution-drink powerade zero or chicken bouillon.  I pushed thru the pain-yeah me!

Friday found me in a much more ENERGIZED state and no pain!  I felt great yesterday!
(You'll see I've started rating my medi food. I want to be able to know what to order next time)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scale: * awful, ** probably won't order, *** can tolerate for a different flavor, **** pretty good, but I want to add something?, *****wouldn't change a thing!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

7AM    Hot cocoa***** mixed with caffeine free coffee.  Why? because my mind still wants my coffee. I've changed over the last month from drinking 3 doubles cups of regular coffee with cream & 2 sweet & lows per day to watered down caffeine free coffee with scant creamer & 1 sweet & low. I'm pretty proud of that.  When I mixed the HC in with the coffee (didn't add sweetner/creamer) I felt like I was in heaven! LOL

10AM Peanut butter bar-*****  LOVE IT!
1PM Cinnamon pretzels *****
4PM Banana Pudding **** (had a slight after taste)
7PM: Lean & Green-4 oz leanest hamburger ($5.38!!), 1 cup lettuce, 1/2 c cucumber, 1/2 diced tomatoes, 1 oz shredded 2% cheddar cheese. ( I had to put a few jalapenos on the salad-I hope it doesn't hurt my results!)  It made a yummy salad!
9:30PM: Cinnamon cereal **** had a slight -real slight funny taste?

Another truly successful day!  I totally love my health coach.  She's a true inspiration!  She's almost at goal and started almost exactly where I did.  Of course, she's 20 years younger than me! I know that my weight loss won't go as fast as hers, but I'm SO HAPPY for her!

Till tomorrow!
Karen C

Daily Success Tracker

Good Morning!

Today is hump day! Literally-it's my 3rd day on Take Shape For Life and my body should go into the true fat burning state I need to get rid of all this extra fat! I can't wait!

My health coach gave me some extra tips on how to get thru today and not cave into the cravings for carbs. It's been nice having a coach at the beginning of my journey-it's like having your own cheerleader!  She's gone thru what I'm going thru (just not as many years -she's much younger than me!) so I know the words of advice she's giving me will work.

The first thing I've started filling out DAILY is a preprinted Daily Success Tracker. It's to help me keep up with the number of Medifast Meals, optional condiments, optional snack, my Lean & Green Meal & the amount of water I've consumed.

It's really helpful because you lose count.  At my age-there is no point in thinking I can remember it all day! LOL

I've also been putting stars on the Medi meals so I'll remember if I liked them a little or a lot. When I'm ready to reorder my food, I'll know what I truly like.

Yesterday I enjoyed

Southwest Eggs, peach tea, chicken noodle soup, apple cinnamon cereal and nacho cheese bites.

All their food has the right amount of nutrients which totally amazes me!  Each thing tastes like what it's called.  I'm still in shock about how tasty it is.

I'm feeling pretty good this morning after having a slight headache yesterday most of the day.  Can you image all the sugar & bad stuff leaving my body?!  I know my body is in a state of shock!  It hardly goes one day without major carb input! LOL

Anyway, I'm looking forward to today.  Knowing I'm getting healthy so I can enjoy the rest of my life!

Off to work now!
Karen C

Food Replacements-Yum!

I made it thru the first day of my TSFL & I was pleasantly surprised at well the food replacements tasted.

Weight: 261.8

Measurements;
Waist        43 1/2
Hip            53
Upper Waist 44
Bust          48 1/2
Upper Arm 16 1/2
Right thigh 29 1/2
Right Calf   17

7AM Chocolate Mint Bar
10AM Cappachino
1PM Broccili Soup
4PM HOney Mustard Pretzels
7PM Lean & Mean meal: 5 oz chicken, 1 cup cauliflower & 1/2 c green beans
9:30PM Parmesan puffs

Had a slight headache yesterday after 5PM-but it could have been where I forgot to take my meds yesterday morning! 
All in all I thought it was a GREAT start! 

Weighed in this morning.......257.6. 

I'm not going to get excited-I know my past "diet" record. Hasn't been too good.  So I'm going to stay forcused & keep my eye on my goals.

It would be so nice to polish my own toe nails again! Minor thing-but I get a leg cramp in my right thigh & lose breath after 1-2 toes. Not worth it. So I go for a pedicure!  Look at the money this program is going to SAVE me!

Already: no fast food & no forced pedicures!  That's going to pay for my food replacements easily.

My verse today: Proverbs 27:9-The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.