Louisiana

My husband and I recently had to make a trip down to Louisiana. While there, I took time to enjoy some of my favorite activities there; soaking in the cyprus and oak trees covered with spanish moss, looking for alligators and watching the seagulls and egrets at Avery Island, watching some Mardi Gras Parades, and eating shrimp. At least it was boiled!

Life Continued...

So today is Day 65 on my new eating plan. I have lost 38 pounds as of this morning. Not too shabby! I have accomplished it through lowering my calorie intake through the HMR meal replacement meals and their shakes and puddings. I add fresh fruit, vegetables and seasonings. Here are some of the things that I use to get me through the days.

1) Today I am going to try to make mircowave popcorn in a lunch sack, using Pam and seasonings such as the powdered butter and cheese seasonings which are practically no calories.

2) Another trick I use is to cut up zuchini and yellow squash into strips, spray with Pam, and season with zero calorie Caesar Dressing, Butter Spray, Cajun Seasoning, and during the last five minutes I sprinkle them with Parmesan cheese. I bake them on a Pam sprayed cookie sheet at 375 degrees for at least 45 minutes. They do not actually get crispy, but they are very good.

3) Take a can of diced tomatoes with onions and peppers in it, add 1/3 of a package of Knorr's dry vegetable soup, and put into blender. Blend until smooth. Then put in a bowl and microwave about three minutes. Take out, add 1 Tbsp of low fat sour cream, and stir in until smooth. Top with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This is very good!

4) When I want something sweet, I make some sugar free chocolate pudding and top with sugar free Cool Whip. Your taste buds will eventually get used to it. If you really want to get decadent, add a sliced banana and pretend you are having a Sundae! lol

5) I add strawberries and sugar free cheesecake pudding to my vanilla diet shakes.

6) Adding about a tbsp. of sugar free lemon jello to a vanilla shake is almost as yummy as Lemon Meringue Pie. Like I said, almost. ;)

7) I bake an artichoke in the microwave in a covered bowl for about 6 to 8 minutes. I make a little dip for it using butter spray combined with Caesar Zero Calorie Spray Salad Dressing. This is very good!

8) Last but not least, I bake a sweet potato in the microwave for about 8 minutes. Then I heat up some turkey chili and pour on top of the split and mashed sweet potato. This sounds weird, but trust me, it is pretty good, and very filling.

Please add your favorite tip. I need all the variety I can get. It is a struggle, but the results are so worth it. I'm in this for the long hall.

Here's to a Healthy You and Me!

Images. Our Bodies. Looking in the mirror. One of the hard things about trying to lose weight is that it takes time. Not instant, like so many things these days. Want a mocha, drive through. Want to connect with an old friend? Instant. Change your hair color or style...almost instant. But weight loss takes time. And the daily look in the mirror doesn't always reflect what one's actions are doing. So, today is Jan. 27th, and I've lost 29 pounds since Dec. 17th. That is a good thing, and I am proud of myself for doing it. But I have a long, long way to go, and it doesn't always show in the mirror the way I'd like. My goal is to lose at least a total of 70 pounds by April, and 110 pounds by the end of July. Then I will be able to have my first knee replacement surgery, and have my second surgery in October. That is quite a lofty goal, but the payback will be priceless. The joy of taking my soon to be born grandson for walks, playing on the floor with him, dancing with my husband, walking along the beach, and shopping with my friends, to name a few. Right now, I am taking one step at a time, on this eating plan to lose weight. I feel the support of my friends, family, and the heavens, and am grateful. One baby step at a time, it's sometimes frustrating, but I'm getting my ducks in a row. One day I'll be able to walk in freedom and joy!

2009-What a Year!

2009 was a very busy year in the beginning. My To-Do List was unending. Then life slowed me

down, and I was forced to start taking care of myself, instead of focusing on my environment. But it was fun, and I enjoyed the ride. This year, though, will be spent improving my health and ability to enjoy life. So much for drudgery.....let the good times roll!

The struggle for weight loss and health issues plagued me in the fall, but I finally realized it was time to let go of some struggles and start tackling others. Here are some pics of our place.