Gained a pound

Yep it's true. Dang it!! Oh well. I am still running 4 days a week getting ready for the half marathon and I did my fastest three miles the other day which was 28 minutes and 6 seconds. My clothes fit better, I just wish I had a little more will power to stay away from that Old Bryce Town Ice Cream! Maybe next week will be better. My miles just keep going up every week now to get ready so we shall see?!?!

Little by Little

I know I have not updated for a long time. This has been a long road, and might I add I hate to walk this road. Since January when I first started I have lost a total of 20 pds. I am very excited about this. I still have 18 to go. I am on my way though, I finally had to get serious about it and quit starting and stopping. I can't wait for the day that I can eat something that I want to again. I will try to update a little more often. Hopefully this road ends soon. Like in the next six weeks. We'll see ya next week.

6 pounds total!

Okay so I am at the 3 week mark and I have consistently lost 2 pounds a week for a total of 6 pounds. I am so happy. I am on my way. I have been running 3 miles 5 or 6 days a week and now I am going to modify that a little bit to start training for the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon. Easier said than done. I have to go 4 miles tomorrow so we shall see. After a few weeks we shall see if I can handle the training schedule. Either way I am hopefully going to continue the weight loss. See you all next week.

Okay, so I was reading comments on my last update and was in a hurry and before I realized what I was doing I wrote my weekly update as a comment on my last post so please see my comment on that post if you are interested in how I did this last week.....see you next week!

Okay so here is where I stand if any of you are still out there. After my little Porsha was born 13 1/2 months ago I was gung ho. After losing what you lose just after the baby is born, which for me never seems to be much I had 20 pounds still to lose to get down to what I was before pregnancy but I set my goal much higher and lost 40 pounds. I got within 5 pounds of my high school weight. Great huh! I thought so too until winter came and I had back surgery and enjoyed cooking way too much. So now I have put 20 pounds back on. I am thinking this weight is a very comfortable weight for my body cause is seems to find it's way back there so often. Well I am not going to let that happen and my goal is to lose 30 pounds by July! I know I can do it. (Mind over matter, mind over matter......). I am a little frustrated though because for the last 10 years after my babies were this old it was time to get pregnant again, so instead of still trying to watch my weight I would have been enjoying life (or food I should say) again. Since those baby days are definitely over, times ten, I can't let myself think that. I have to get that mindset out of my system and make things happen. So anyway. That is where I stand and I will try to post every Friday how I am doing since that is they day I officially weigh in every week. (And I go off my diet on Friday afternoons and don't start again until Monday mornings. I don't just go all out on the weekends, I just allow myself dessert after dinner on those nights. May not sound like much but it gets me through the week. So see you in 8 days!

I did it!!!

Well my fellow dieters I have reached my weight loss goal of 30 pounds!!!! i actually reached it about two weeks ago but have waited to post cause I wanted to take some pictures. I still have no pictures but I will try to get some by next week and post them. But just wanted to let you all know and to keep you motivated because you can do it!!

How Is Everyone Doing?

Just wondering how everyone is doing. I am okay and have been doing good with my workouts. My back is giving me a lot of problems and I will be visiting the doctor in SLC within the next few weeks. I hope everyone is great and reaching their goals.

Eat for Energy: 3 Smart Strategies for Fueling Your Workout

Pre-Workout
If your last meal was more than five hours ago, have a 100- to 200-calorie snack 30 minutes before your workout. Liquids digest faster, so try milk, juice, Gatorade, or half a smoothie (keep it low-cal by choosing plain, low-fat yogurt and fruit and skipping syrups, powders, and other additions).
Mid-Workout
You need a snack during your workout only when you're hustling for more than 90 minutes. Your best bet? A 100-calorie carb boost, like a handful of jelly beans or a sports gel such as Gu.
Post-Workout
Ideally, reach for a snack that combines carbs and protein to aid recovery. Second best: carbs with fiber (like fruit). If your next meal is less than three hours away, be sure your snack is under 200 calories; try an energy bar with at least 3 grams of filling fiber, half a bagel with peanut butter, or low-fat chocolate milk.

Article taken from FITNESS, for more info click here

Fix Your Worst Diet Habits

Ask yourself, is it worth the guilt?
By Joy Bauer
When it comes to food, the wrong habits can be disastrous. Here's how to help yourself eat better and have more energy.

Bad habit: Skipping meals
Letting yourself get too hungry is one of the worst things you can do if you're trying to lose weight. When you finally do eat, you're likely to gobble down too much. It's also much harder to make good choices if you're ravenous.
Fix it: Eat breakfast and then refuel every four to five hours. If you rarely stop once your day begins, plan what you'll eat. Consider easy options like microwaveable healthy meals, low-fat cottage cheese and fruit, or a high-fiber nutrition bar and a container of nonfat Greek yogurt. The healthy carbs and lean protein will provide long-lasting energy.

Bad habit: Eating out all the time
Restaurants are a caloric minefield. Portion sizes can be huge, and chefs often have a heavy hand with salt, fat, and sugar.
Fix it: If you can't cook at home, limit the damage. Avoid alcohol, which contains empty calories and loosens inhibitions, making it tougher to order wisely. Stick with water or have a glass of wine or a light beer if you really want a drink. Tell the waiter not to bring the bread basket, and order a salad instead. This will help curb your appetite. Ask for olive oil and vinegar on the side and go light on the oil. Next, pick a lean protein entrée, such as fish or chicken, and choose preparation methods that use little fat, such as poaching, grilling, or broiling.

Bad habit: Using food as comfort
Most people who struggle with their weight use food to help them deal with negative emotions or stress. When the food is all gone, the problem is still there, and it's been compounded by guilt over having eaten too much.
Fix it: Try labeling your feelings ("I'm sad, not hungry"), and remind yourself that eating won't solve things. Visualize how you'll feel after eating, and ask yourself if it's worth it. Then choose an alternative activity, such as calling a friend, taking a walk, or reading. Over time, these activities, not food, will be the first things you think of when you need a pick-me-up.

Bad habit: Eating when you're not hungry
Snacking even though you are full makes the pounds add up.
Fix it: The next time you're about to pop something into your mouth, assess your hunger level. If you're not truly hungry, don't eat. If you're a little peckish, allow yourself to get a bit hungrier. When you do sit down to eat, adhere to the Japanese saying hara hachi bu, which means "eat until you are 80 percent full." Chances are that in 15 to 20 minutes, you'll be perfectly satisfied.

Update!

well I don't really know where I was when I posted last. So I will just update with the last week. I lost 3 pounds. I am still working out everyday and eating good for the most part. I have a few weekend slip ups here and there. I have lost a total of 23 pounds so far. I will keep chugging a long until I reach my goal.

Weekly Update

I'm still holding steady and have been exercising faithfully.
I hope everyone else is doing great and achieving their goals.
The weather is getting so nice, with that comes busy schedules (at least for me).
I look forward to hearing every one's update.

Rethink Your Habits One Step At A Time

I am a big believer in the power of small victories! The best way to get healthier and more fit is to take baby steps, and open the door to good habits a few at a time.

When you try to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight, it's easy to burn out. But when you start with one small change and put your energy into making it a habit, the chances are a lot better that it will stick! Did you know that it takes about three weeks to change a habit? If you can take a small, achievable step and make it a regular part of your life for three weeks, you should be able to stick to it permanently.

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of changes you want to make in your life, or if you're not sure how to get started, try this: Make a list of the changes you'd like to make, big and small. Include anything you can think of. Now go over the list and pick out one change to start with. Make it something that you feel is achievable at this stage of your life. For example, you may not be able to make over your entire diet, but maybe you can fit in one more vegetable each day in place of a less healthy food. Or you may not have time to join an aerobics class, but maybe you can start taking a walk most nights after dinner. Pick something you think you can accomplish, and put your energy into making it happen! You'll be so happy when you can check this item off of your list.

Once you feel confident that you've accomplished this small change, add another item from your list to your efforts. And don't forget to keep track of the changes you've already made! Nothing is more inspiring than knowing that you can and have accomplished changes in your life. Be proud along this journey!

For more information click here

Okay so I have finally started my treadmill again. I have gained a little or maybe a little more than a little over the winter. For the next two weeks I won't be watching what I eat though. That won't start until the 16th of March. Then I will be getting serious!

Happy Weight

Hi Everyone! I have been plugging along, I went out of town with my mom for three days and have been busy finishing up my home improvement projects. My back has been hurting VERY BADLY this week and I have had to take a few days off from working out. I plan on starting my normal schedule again on Monday.

I found this article of "Finding Your Happy Weight" and thought you might find in interesting. To view the article click here

I hope everyone is doing good and I look forward to hearing about your progress.

Still here

I haven't been doing so hot. I gained a few back and then lost them so I am still at the 13 pd mark. I swear I am going to do better though. I still have 25 to go.

update

The last two weeks have been busy for me so my diet has been a little up and down. I have lost and gained pounds. The total when it was all said and done for the last two weeks ended up with 3.5 pounds. Still a loss but a little disappointed in myself. I am hitting it hard again this week and trying hard. I only have 12 more pounds to meet my goal. But I have been on this diet for over 1 and a half months and it gets a little tiring sometimes. But I feel refreshed. I am going to Vegas for the race this weekend I only hope I can be good then so I don't spoil all my hard work I plan on putting in this week.

How to Trim Your Own Bangs

By Jenny Bailly

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Personal note: I figured it was time for some fun beauty advice. I had to laugh when I came across this article because not more than two or three hours ago I was complaining to Tyson how I just cut my own bangs and I ruined them.
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Many hairstylists offer free bang trims. But if yours doesn't (or if you just don't have time for monthly visits), you can take matters into your own hands. All you need is a pair of sharp scissors (try Tweezerman Stainless 2000 51/2 trimming shears, $25), a mirror, and a few minutes, with no distractions. Only cut bangs dry—"Hair is longer when it's wet, so you run the risk of going too short," says hairstylist Patrick Melville, of the Patrick Melville Salon in New York City—and hold them taut between your index and middle fingers as you trim in small sections, from one temple to the other. Go slowly, in little increments, because "if you take off too much in that first snip," says Patrick, "you're doomed" (or at least sentenced to an awkward grow-out period). Don't go shorter than the bridge of your nose—once you release the bangs, they'll jump up as much

Five Things You'd Never Think Would Make You Fat (But Guess What?)

By Elizabeth Svoboda

Food and exercise aren't the whole diet story. A slew of stealthy, often surprising weight gain culprits could be causing the scale to creep upward.

Carb-free liquor. An increasing number of purveyors of everything alcoholic, from wine to beer to vodka, are trying to surf the low-carb wave. But alcohol has never been a carbohydrate, so carb-free defines all hard liquor. Most beer and wine contain some sugar (a.k.a. carbohydrates). Makers of the low-carb versions have tried to minimize sugar content, but they've not invented a diet drink: A five-ounce glass of the new low-carb One.9 Merlot has 125 calories, and typical red wine weighs in at 105. The solution: Let "low calories," not "low carbs," be your principal dieting mantra.

Depo-Provera. The birth control shot may be convenient, but it delivers a high dose of progesterone, which can cause appetite to increase. Seventy percent of women who use it gain weight, with nearly half gaining more than five pounds after a year. The solution: Consider lower-dose possibilities. The Pill may get a bad rap for causing weight gain, but in a review published earlier this year researchers found no correlation between oral contraceptives and added pounds. Another low-dose option is the Ortho Evra patch.

Artificial sweeteners. A recent Purdue University study compared two sets of rats: those fed liquid spiked with saccharin, others fed liquid sweetened with natural sugar. When both groups were later given a sugary snack, the rats accustomed to artificial sweeteners ate more. "Our bodies have ways of judging how many calories a food has from how it tastes, and artificial sweeteners may mess up that natural regulating process," says Susan Swithers, PhD, associate professor of psychological sciences at Purdue and one of the study's lead authors. The solution: "We're not suggesting you give up your diet soda at this point," Swithers says. But if you consume artificially sweetened products, pay extra attention to the calorie count of everything you eat, especially snacks with real sugar.

Missing meals. Research shows that people who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight, and that morning meals seem to help those who've lost weight keep it off. It's not just breakfast, either: Denise Bruner, MD, obesity specialist and former president of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, says that skipping meals of any kind results in a "tremendous bout of compensatory hunger." The solution: Eat small meals throughout the day. A steady nutrient intake will keep your blood sugar relatively constant, helping prevent out-of-control binges.

Dining out. Super Size Me gave fast food a bad name, but restaurant portions can be just as oversize as a McDonald's meal. An order of chicken Parmesan and pasta at Ruby Tuesday, for example, tops out at 1,466 calories—more than a Big Mac, large fries, and a Coke combined. The solution: Eating out is fine, as long as you don't use it as a frequent license to indulge. Choose your entrees wisely, and find restaurants that serve smaller portions or doggie bag half your meal.

For more information on this article, please click here

Good Week

Hi Everyone, I have been super busy as usual. It seems to go in spurts with me, I'll have lots of free time and then all of the sudden I cannot find enough hours in the day to do everything. When the season starts our lives get crazy because of the motel. I am doing good with my goals and am absolutely loving my workout program. I lost two pounds for once, I am still about 4 pounds away from feeling my best. I hope everyone is doing great and having a wonderful week.

6 Good Reasons To Walk For Your Health!

1. It's an easy way to a healthier you. Brisk walking lowers the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in women, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. So in addition to strengthening your calves, hamstrings, arms (your entire body, really) walking can help prevent disease and illness. The bottom line: It does a body good.

2. You'll stick to it. Experts call it adherence. Others call it dedication. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, people tend to stick to a walking program better on a long-term basis than to other exercise activities. After all, you can do it anywhere -- with no equipment required.

3. It's a no pain, all gain proposition. Your body will thank you for choosing such a stress-free exercise method with low risk of injury. The impact of running on your joints is about three times your body weight, while walking is only about 1.3 times your body weight. "Lower impact means there's less risk that you'll have sore muscles, aching joints and repetitive stress injuries," explains Dr. Bach.

4. Both social butterflies and soul searchers enjoy it. There's no better way to catch up on gossip, brainstorm business plans or mull over an idea with a friend. Instead of meeting for a sit-down lunch, take a stroll. Or if you're in desperate need of some alone time, walking is also a great way to relax, reflect and re-energize after a long day or before the start of a busy one.

5. It's an excuse-proof workout. Walking is cheap and easy. No gym membership or expensive equipment required. Bad weather? Head to a mall -- some cities are extending hours so walkers can stride (and window shop) before stores open.

6. You can walk your way to the Fountain of Youth. A new study from the American Academy of Neurology reports that walking can keep your mind sharp as you age. Researchers tested the cognitive abilities of 5,925 women ages 65 and older, and then tested them again six to eight years later. Their finding: women who walked an average of 18 miles a week had the least cognitive decline. Women who said they walked the least -- just half a mile a week -- showed the greatest decline.

For more information on this article, taken from lhj.com, click here