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.

 

Lost, but now I'm found!

I took my focus off my goal...I stumbled.  Gained this week. 188.2.
I wasn't happy.  I do take the blame-don't want to blame others or my circumstances.

Life happens. My son, DIL & granddaughter was visiting.  My eating and exercising routine changed. I ate stuff that is not on my eating plan.

I did learn some lessons the past 2 weeks.  I eat when I'm bored.  Wow! What an eye opener!!
Work has been a little slow & I've had extra time.  My mind immediately turned to "what can I eat"
I ate what I had extra-peanuts, turkey pepperoni, cheese blocks.  If eaten in SMALL portions-these are OK on my diet plan-but when eaten  till gone-it spells disaster!

Some of my old habits crept back in. Oh no!

Then my family was eating food that's unhealthy for them and certainly unhealthy for me.  I joined in. Just a little wouldn't hurt-or did it?

I'm reminded of the story in the bible:

"'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted." Matthew 14:29-30 (NLT)

I started to sink when I had my weigh in on Monday.  I've cried out to God to help me! I don't want to gain back the weight. I don't want to feel bad and tired. I don't want to be unhealthy!

This is my saving verse:

Proverbs 4:25-27, "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." (NLT)

I am NOT alone! Yeah!! God is with me. Every day-every step of the way.  I'm going to keep my focus on HIM!  

Thank you Lord.  You were with me all the time-I just lost my focus on you. Thank you for reminding me where my strength comes from!!

We all have weak moments.  It's OK. Shake it off, get back in the saddle and refocus on the Lord.

Have a blessed day!!   

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.

Habits of Health

Want to share with you the basics I'm following on Take Shape For Life.  I want to always remember them myself. 

I want to remember I'm changing for the rest of my life!  It's taken years and years of bad habits to get in poor health, high weight, lack of energy & poor self esteem.

I've started all over -from my foundation up!

Psalm 103:2

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

 

 

Six of these beginning Habits of Health spell out the acronym BeSlimTM - a tool I created at Take Shape for LifeTM - to help you understand the behaviors essential to maintaining a healthy weight.

"BeSlim"

• Breakfast
• Exercise
• Support
• Low-fat meals every three hours
• Individual plan
• Monitor

Breakfast: By now, you should be working on beginning each day with a healthy breakfast - an important routine that's critical for long-term weight loss, according to the National Weight Control Registry.

Exercise: As your weight has decreased, perhaps you've started adding more activity, like using the stairs or taking the dog for a walk. If you haven't, you should at least be taking the stairs as one of your Weekly Habits of Health. We'll learn more about exercise later.

Support: I'm a big believer in seeking help on your journey to optimal health. While I can serve as your immediate mentor, having a live coach such as a health care professional or a trained health coach can add tremendous value.   Contact me for help finding one near you.

Low-fat meals every three hours: You're now working your way into the habit of eating smaller meals every three hours - a very powerful Habit of Health. And low-fat, low-glycemic eating has been shown to be a key factor in long-term maintenance of weight-loss.  Your permanent eating strategy includes meals that:

• Are low-glycemic
• Satisfy your hunger
• Control your caloric intake
• Contain low amounts of healthy fats
• Keep to a three-hour eating schedule

Individual plan: We spent much of the 30-Day Challenge building a customized plan for you, and when you are past the initial weight-loss stage, you will build a permanent plan that gives you control over your energy intake and provides you with long-term strategies for life.

Monitor:  Check your weight weekly. Keeping an eye on your energy balance - with journal in hand - helps you make sure you're not loading fat.

Remember, stick to your habits, and don't be afraid to Stop-Challenge-Choose if you feel yourself tempted by a Habit of Disease. Every little victory counts.

In health,

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:

Week 13-reached 40 pds lost!

Here are my pictures from week 12. Wearing size 18 pants and 1X shirt (fit like a XL)

I haven't been blogging well lately. Wanted to track weekly on here.  The pics are from week 12. My weigh ins are on Mondays.  January 21st I was at 223.4.  Yesterday at 222.4!!  That was right at 40 pounds so far!  

I'm feeling GREAT and still following plan.  I can't keep up with the inches yet. I have little pieces of paper at work & home with measurements and dates!  I'll gather them together soon and try to get a tally recorded here.

I've been walking 3-5 days per week at our local Jack Dalton Park.  My hubby has gone with me a few times, my furbabies, and my BFF.  Sometimes it's just me. It's a great way to clear my thoughts and be with God.  

I've read chapter 11 in our workbook.  It's about moving more.  Learning to incorporate any movement in every day life.
I'm adding:  squats while I'm waiting 2 minutes for my medifast to cook in the microwave, side to side wiggling while I'm blow drying my hair, more stair climbing at work to get my water, walking around while I'm on the phone (headset).

My health coach has tracked my losses and says I'm averaging 2 - 2.4 pds per week.  Totally awesome!  I'm looking forward to being at goal (148)

I can't close without telling you all the credit for my weight loss goes to my Lord and Saviour!  He's giving me the strength and grace and wisdom to pursue this lifelong goal.  Without him I am nothing.

I praise God with all that I am!  I thank him for leading me to my health coach-Alisha Reynolds.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV

Have a blessed and happy day! Stay warm!

Survived Birthday Party!

My husband and I traveled to Richmond for my granddaughter's 1st birthday.  I'm always concerned when I am out of my daily routine that I won't eat like I should and make poor choices.

It was such a joy to see Brianna and play with her! She is one of the many reasons I started this life journey.  I want to be able to get in the floor, get back up, pick her up, dance with her in my arms, be silly and still be able to move! LOL

SUCCESS!!  We had a great time. She enjoyed her day so much and around 5pm, she laid her head on my shoulder and went limp!  Asleep with no fuss, no runting for a good position.  She was tuckered out.

I still had energy and was able to continue to my -including the drive home-till 11:30 last night!

My son fixed me a New York strip steak, I had brought my frozen broccili to microwave and had my lean and green meal while everyone else was eating hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad and cupcakes.  I played with Brianna while they all got their plates full. He had two different areas to eat, so the "young" people ate in the front of the townhouse and the grand parents and baby ate in the back. Worked out well.

Enjoyed seeing Brianna shove the cake in and lick her hands until her Dad said ENOUGH!  She's never had sugar and I don't like her eating it now!  Good boy!  He doesn't want her to be overweight and addicted to sugar and I don't blame him.

Here are some pics from our day.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

What a perfect verse to start my first week of graditude.  I am thankful for my son, daughter in law and granddaughter!

Weigh in was today:  226-own another 2 pds.  Total lost 36 pds!  Woohoo!!

Love & hugs!
Karen 

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

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.

Happy Dance!!! Still losing weight!

I'm starting to really look forward to Monday's -which is weigh in day.  I lost another 1.8 pds. My total Monday was 235.8.  total lost 26 pds.

I think secretly I keep thinking-I'm going to wake up and it's a dream and I still weigh 262.  Crazy sounding? I've just never had success at losing weight.  I've never stuck to any program longer than 1-2 weeks.  I've never had a program that was so EASY to do!

I'm getting to pull out clothes I haven't worn in awhile.  It's very exciting!  My husband even asked me where all my new clothes from!! LOL  I told him-out of my closet! LOL

I continue to try new recipes for my lean & green meals.

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

Spaghetti LEAN & GREEN

-cut spaghetti squash in half & microwave for 10 minutes on a dish with 1/4 cup water.

-Using a fork flake out the "spaghetti" strands.  1/2 squash yields 1 1/2 cups.

One whole squash makes 3 meals.  Stores well in the refrigerator.  Only use 1 cup in your meal.

Sauce:

Mix 1/2 cup skim ricottia cheese, 1/2 cup approved salsa or sugar free spaghetti sauce (found Ragu @ Krogers)
2 T shredded parmesan cheese, 4 ounces cooked ground beef or turkey.  If you like spices like I do, you can add a sprinkle of garlic powder, basil & oregano.

Mix together & put 1T of the parmesan cheese on top. Bake @ 350 till bubbly. apprx 20 minutes.

Losing...Losing....Losing!

I'm so excited to report that I lost another 6 pounds this week!
I feel like I'm on the Biggest Loser show! LOL

My total loss now is 25 pounds. Almost 10%  (Thats what weight watchers always focused on)

I've lost about 9 inches too!  Really awesome!

I can really tell in my clothes.  I've started a "GET RID OF IT" box!  That's definitely a first for me. (I'm grinning ear to ear!! LOL)

My coach is still so supportive and helpful. I love making new friends.

The lesson this week was focused on making choices.  We have 3-this applies to all areas of our life.

Primary
Seconary
Fundamental

Usually the choices conflict with each other.  Wanting to eat something just for the sake of eating it is NOT the right reason to eat. The question is-how will this affect my body? My day? Will it help me achieve my goal to lose weight and be healthy?   

I want to be healthy!  (I'm shouting now)
I'm 51 and I've got to put my health first. Not my feelings. 
I want to move better, play in the floor with my granddaughter, stop taking depression meds and high blood pressure pills.  I want to feel comfortable in my clothes.  I want to be able to paint my toe nails and put my socks on with losing my breathe!  I want to wear my mother's ring that I've had 24 yrs and only wore a couple of times.  I want to be a healthy example to young girls who struggle with their self esteem.  I want to serve the Lord in whatever compacity it takes.  I want to die because the Lord says it's time-not because I'm sick.

I thank God every day for Take Shape For Life.  In 6 weeks -it has changed my life. Changed how I think about food. Made me feel better about myself. I'm looking forward to living again!  

Mother Teresa:
Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure
as long as you have done your best.

Matthew 5:8
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.

Amen!

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

Daily Living with Good Choices

Can't believe the days have gone by so fast!!  I have been eating my new food & have had some delicious stuff.

Vegetarian Sloppy Joe, Chicken Noodle soup & pancakes!  That's right pancakes!  The packet makes one nice size pancake.  Very tasty. Can use sugar free syrup.

Thanksgiving was successful-I had turkey, green beans & deviled egg.  Was completely satisfied. I knew I'd get my dessert in 3 hours-a peanut butter bar that tastes like reese cup!

When I'm off work I have a harder time getting all my water in.  Went to Mom's Saturday-took 5 empty water bottles and filled them with good ole well water.  It's so much better than the filtered city water at my house!

I got a little off schedule Saturday night-had a pity party.   I'm not sure why I let the bag of potato chips mess with me-but the chips won!  I felt like a dog when I was done and Sunday.
With my new habits of health, I've been thinking about why I allowed the urge to eat over power my common sense.  I simply didn't listen to the good angel on my shoulder!

Up till then, when I thought about eating I asked myself -am I hungry?  The answer is always no.
I then started mentally listing the benefits of NOT eating when it's not meal time.  The urge to eat would pass.

This time-I pushed the good thought to the rear of my brain and simply ate.

I didn' beat myself up.  Now that I know why I've been able to withstand the temptation to eat, I hope next time I'll listen to my reasoning better.

AND I'm making me a list to put on my mirror so I'll see it every day.

It's almost a relief to get the "cheat" over.  I've been dreading it since I started the program.

I'm just moving on....one day at a time....one meal at a time.

Hope you have a super happy day!


Colossians 3:12
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourself with
tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience.

Started Exercising!

The program doesn't want you to exercise until after you've been on it for 3 weeks.  Well, I've had so much energy-I've WANTED to exercise! Crazy huh?  Maybe because for the first time in my life someone said "Don't Exercise"!  The child in me just wanted to rebel!

Our receptionist at work walks every day during her lunch hour.  Mind you-she broke her foot 3 1/2 months ago and hasn't been able to walk until 2 weeks ago.  She's been itching to get back to it.  She limps and is in pain, but she does it anyway.  Doesn't matter what the tempature is-she does it.  It's very encouraging!

So today I walked with her.  Due to her limp, I was able to keep up with her!  She's a tiny little thing and walks fast usually. 

It was a very nice walk. I walked 15 minutes.  When I got inside-my ears and nose were like ice cubes!  I'm definitely going to have to do inside exercise until spring. 

I'm really excited because I reordered a shipment of meals yesterday.  Was able to order some of the same and different items.  Pancakes, chili, brownies....does it sound like I'm on a diet?  Sure doesn't taste like it either! LOL

I'm still feeling strongly about following this program to my goal weight. By the way-that's 148.  I'll have lost a total of 114 pounds!  I've never BELIEVED I could do it in the past until this diet program.  I'm a believer now!

I'm having steak for dinner.  Yummmmmmmmm


Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you,
and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips.


Karen C

Doctor Approved!! Yeah!

I went for my physical today and I quickly shared with her about being on a diet program.  She was really pleased I was losing weight and did ask a couple of questions. 

Could I stick with it long term?  Oh-I gushed out how satisfying the food supplements are and they taste good. I don't feel deprived at all. Even had a bar that tastes like a Reese Cup!

Did it involve exercise?  Yes! Not a lot, but a decent amount that she approves of.


It's time to order my food again! I was able to get a little different items this time.  One is a 4 pack of chocolate items!  Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pudding & Hot chocolate.  My co-worker said "you don't have to give up anything!"  That is so true! 

Last night I had turkey meatballs.  I made up the recipe myself! Can't even tell you the "dashes" of seasoning I put in them! I put a little finely chopped onion and celery.  Then baked them in the oven.  They were really good!

I was reading my Habit's of Health book and it wants us to set goals. I started thinking about in just 3 weeks how far I've already come.

• my rings & watch are sliding around
• I can lift my leg to my knee and put my socks on without grunting
• I can bend over and pick something up and not shine the world (my pants stay put)
• I no longer feel bloated all the time
• I don't get sleepy during the day
• I have much more energy
• I don't sweat all the time
• My confidence is growing-I shared my blog address on the facebook group
• My double chin is almost gone
• I'm starting to look forward to getting dressed in the morning

That's all I can think of off the top of my head & I'm so thrilled to have stuck to something for 3 solid weeks!

I look forward to even more great changes!

Words of the wise:

A faithful friend is one of life's greatest assets.
No problem is ever as dark when
you have a friend to face it with you.
Christ Jesus laid down His life
for you, and His promise is: I will hnever
leave thee nor forsake thee.

Have a blessed day!
Karen C

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