Starting weight 256. Getting healthy Naturally

 Yes! I'm putting it all out there! My highest weight was 270. Thankfully I'm not starting there again!

I joined Weight Watchers today.  Another app that is good at food tracking, getting ideas.  I did it years ago, but never really knew what they were tracking. Didn't know about Macro's, etc.  They give you "FREE" foods.  You don't even have to track them. You track everything else.  The more protein and fiber and no sugar something has, the better for you it is.

That's the mindset I want to continue my life in. Low sugar, low fat, healthy protein and fiber.

I also started following a guy on Tik Tok and Instagram.  His page is Change the Road.  He counts calories.  Has lost 200 pounds in 2 years.  He has some good ideas too.  It's encouraging because there's not many people that choose to diet this way.

Some people are taking those new shots out there, but I just don't want to rely on a shot.  Lots of people are not even seeing results and are scared to stop-scared they will gain back the few pounds they lost.

Let's do it naturally!!

My son had me figure up my  BASE LINE.  Exactly how many calories it takes to maintain my 256 pounds. I figured it up on website calculator.net . I need 2412 calories per day to stay 256 pounds.  But if I cut my calories to just 2162, I'll lost 1/2 pound per week.  1912 calories per day I'll lose 1 pound per week.

I know, I know, we all want to lose it FAST!  But that's not what is healthy.

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!!

One-derland!!

I've finally reached a major marker-I was under 200 today!!  199.6 to be exact.

I've lost a total of 62.2 pounds since starting Take Shape For Life.

I still can't believe it!

Had to go shopping AGAIN!  For clothes-not food! LOL

It's gotten warmer here-I need summer clothes.  Wearing 14-14W, 16 pants.  XLarge in a lot of shirts.
Goodwill has become my go-to store. I don't want to pay a lot of my sizes until I reach my goal and know what size I'll finish in.

This journey is still fun and exciting. I feel like a new person!

5mths on Take Shape For Life

 I'm still in it to win it!!  Still following TSFL plan and eating my Medifast food. Still loving the hot chocolate, cream of chicken soup, bars, shakes, chips.  Easiest and most convenient way I've every done!  It's totally working for me.

This week I'm down from 261.8 to 202.6.  It's still so amazing to me! 
I have so much more energy.  When my granddaughter came to visit for Easter-she had to keep up with me! LOL
I can crawl, chase, dance and roll right with her!

Wanted to share my tuna recipe that my health coach told me about.  I don't normally like nor eat tuna.  So if you're like me-try this recipe!

2 tablespoons LF cream cheese
2 tablespoons greek plain yogurt
3 oz tuna, drained
1 boiled egg
2 small dill pickles, finely chopped
2 teaspoons onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
salt and pepper
garlic powder
smoked paprika

I mash the cream cheese up with the yogurt using a fork, then stir in each remaining ingredient .  Serve on one cup of lettuce, 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes and jalapenos.

Very tasty-very healthy.  Counts as my lean and green.

Lemon Chicken Crock Pot Style

• 6 bone-in chicken breast halves, skin removed
• 1 teas dried oregano
• 1/2 teas seasoned salt
• 1/4 teas pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teas chicken bouillon granules
• 2 teas minced fresh parsley

Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix the salt, pepper and oregano in to a rub. Apply the rub to the chicken. Put the oil In a skillet and brown the chicken over medium heat.
Now it’s time to move it all to the crockpot. Put the water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon into the skillet and turn up the heat. Bring it a boil. Pour the mixture into the crockpot over the chicken. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on low. Baste chicken. Add parsley. Cover and cook 30 minutes longer.

Goodbye 2012

Today is a day of reflection and preparation.

Reflect on the past year.  Good and bad.

I have been so blessed!  God continues to surprise and delight me! 
He's graciously provided many miracles. 

The first and most precious is my new granddaughter-Brianna.
2nd I've found a church home that I love.
3rd Donnie is going with me to church!
4th God spared my Dad when he had a minor stroke in October. He's fully recovered.
5th God showed me the diet plan that is changing my life.  One day. One meal. at a time.

Those are just the biggest! LOL  There are so many I simply couldn't list them all here.

But I do have a plan for 2013.  I'm going to spend a year documenting my thankfulness to God with scripture.
A Christian website I'm a member of is starting it.

http://inspiredstamps.blogspot.com/



I can't wait to start!!  I'll post on this website what I create and what the weekly verse is.
I think it will make a ton of difference in my life.

****************************************************************************** 

This week's weigh in was very humbling.  I have wanted to lose weight for so long. Even now, I keep thinking this is too good to be true and one day I'm going to wake up and be 262 pounds again. 
God is so good!  This morning the scale happily said 228.6. 

I am in awe of the doctor that did the Take Shape for Life program.  The medifast foods are tasty and so easy to use for my life.

AND I'm happy to report my husband (who needs to lose weight as much as I do) ate my lean and green meal last night!  cube steak, cauliflower mashed potatoes and cabbage.  We had the new medifast gravy.  It was delicious!

RECIPE ALERT*****

Cauliflower Mashed "potatoes"
steam whole head of cauliflower with a chicken bouiliion cube, drain well.
Add to it: 2T cream cheese, 2T smart balance butter, Mrs Dash table seasoning (my favorite), pinch of onion powder and garlic powder, pepper.

Important part:  use a hand emersion blender to mix it up. 

Enjoy!

*****************************************************************************

Tomorrow I have a special post about a pencil.  I don't want to forget it.  Has very good encouragement.

Until then......Thank you Lord for all your blessings in 2012!

You never can tell when you do an act
just what the result will be;
But with every deed you are sowing a seed,
though its harvest you may never see.
Etta Wheeler Wilcox

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!

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

Donut Melt Down!

Yesterday when I went in the kitchen at work to fill up my water bottles I spotted a BIG box of donuts on the table.

I asked my coworker where they came from -one of our company reps.
I said "donuts are my favorite" and tears started welling up.
I said we need to get them out of the building!
The receptionist walked up and they both said "we aren't eating them". She said she'd give them to our customers.
She looked at me and said "do you want a donut?"
I busted into a full fledged -hysterical-fit!  I went in the bathroom & boo-hooed for 5 minutes!

I don't even know what came over me! I was shocked at my response at just seeing some donuts. I haven't feel deprived on this program at all. I get "sweets" with my delicious food bars & cereal.  I simply couldn't control it.

I went to see my health coach at lunchtime. She had some VERY WISE words.

She said "Karen, you could have eaten a donut". (I was shaking my head no the whole time!)
She said "look at it this way" You could have eaten it, but you CHOSE not to.  That's part of the healthy habits we're learning about!

I'll have to admit-that never entered my head!  I was just thinking I couldn't eat a donut-it would blow my whole last 2 weeks of doing good.

After more thought-she is -of course-right!  I felt so much better.

My day:

7AM Peach Tea
10AM Chicken soup
1PM Broccoli soup
4PM Cinnamon Crunch cereal
8PM   5 ounces stewed chicken on top of lettuce, tomato, jalapeno with Vidalia Onion dressing.
         1 ounce cheddar cheese
9:40PM pretzels


While I'm working on the outside, I'm also concerned about my inside!  My encouraging verse today is:

Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil 1:6

Have a great evening!
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

Losing For Life!

Today is weigh in day-I was down to 250.8!!  That's a total of 11 pds in 2 weeks!  I'm so thrilled.  I've never stuck to a diet this long.
God is my strength!  We talk every day about it.

My eating schedule gets out of wack on the weekends and I know I didn't get enough water yesterday.  I'm still trying to figure out how to get it worked out.

7:30am Orange drink
11:30am Peach Tea
3PM cinnamon cereal
5:30pm 5 oz chicken & boiled egg
             tomatoes & celery
            2T cream cheese & 1T mayo
            Pepper
Stirred it up for chicken salad & it was delicious!
7:30pm cheese pizza bites
9:30pm Parmesan bites

It's pretty cold outside this morning. I love the colder weather!
Hope you have a blessed day!

The Lord will work out his plans for my life-for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.

Psalm 138:8 NLT

Hugs!
Karen C 

Weigh in Day a Success!

My first week weigh in I lost 7 pds!  Weighed in @ 254.8.  Not sure what's up with the .8 so far?  LOL-I'll take it.

I was hungry yesterday? I kept thinking-that's wierd. I've faithfully been on plan a week. Who can figure out a woman's body?  I fought the hunger monster by drinking more water! 
I think my body is still trying to trick me into cheating and I'm NOT going to do it!  I've searched a long time for the perfect weight loss plan and Take Shape For Life is it!  I will keep doing the right things until my body understands we're not going back to the old habits!

Water-I didn't realize I need to drink 1/2 of my weight in water! At 261.8 -that comes out to 131 ounces a day-that's A LOT of water!  I'm an avid water drinker-but didn't do quite that much.
I pushed thru and got all my water and it wasn't that bad. 
    If I get tired of plain-in the late afternoon I'll add some crystal lite for flavoring. I never use a whole packet-too strong for my taste. It take me 3 or 4 bottles to use one packet.  Probably more healthy for me anyway.

Yesterdays eating/fueling:

7AM Hot cocoa-becoming one of my favorites. A great comfort item for me.
10AM brocilli soup-I love brocoilli soup & can eat it for breakfast! LOL
1PM peanut butter bar-taste like reese cup & I feel like I'm cheating!
4PM mixed berry cereal-I LOVE a good crunch!  Has a taste of berry in there too.
7PM: Lean & Green Meal
           5 oz deli (lean) roast beef
           1/2 c each; cabbage, green beans, diced tomatoes
9:30PM cheese puffs

I'm feeling that good energy & loving it!

Till tomorrow-I hope every is staying safe with Hurricane Sandy on the move.  It's pretty windy here.
Hugs!
Karen C