"Thou seest I have more flesh than another man, and therefore more frailty."

So, wow, it's been a long time since I 've posted!  Started a new job, and all my good intentions of staying/getting healthy....out the door!   Now that the new job is over a year old, I guess I can't use that as an excuse to procrastinate and avoid the hard work it takes to be fit.  Actually, not being able to zip my pants up kind of gives some incentive....time to give myself a kick in those pants!  Started back with "My fitness pal," and got Hungry Girl's new diet book.  Hungry Girl's tips/recipes give you huge guilt- free servings.  Do you know how hard it is to eat 4 cups of veggie slaw in one meal????? (Next time I will cut it in half.)  I tried her girlfredo....didn't use the tofu noodles, but cooked up "rainbow slaw" (made primarily with broccoli and cauliflower), and added the laughing cow cheese and light sour cream, along with a serving of chopped up chicken breast.  I wasn't able to eat the dessert I had planned afterward!  Go to Hungrygirl.com for this recipe and lots more.  

Ten Percent!

FINALLY made my 10 % weight loss goal at weight watchers...Yipppeee!  Still on track with my wagers.  Ah, but would the Weight Watcher Gods be upset if the knew that I don't count points?  Don't they know how crazy it is to transfer everything you eat into points!??   I still count calories.  Easier.  I use my fitness pal to track, because it has a terrific food data base.  I wish weight watchers had something for those of us who just can't take the point thing!  Well, they do sort of.  I'm eating primarily "power foods" that don't have to be counted with points.  Just not eating any junk food.  Makes a difference!  So now it is bedtime.  No time left to eat tonight, Thank Goodness!

A Great Wager on my head!

Diet Bet! Make dollars to lose pounds!
http://bit.ly/PXFjmB

	"But my lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on you head"   (Hamlet, Act V, Scene II) So my favorite celebrity these days, Hungry Girl, (Lisa Lillien) has stirred up excitment about making money to lose weight!  Of course, I am already a fan, and on my way with my small wagers.  So check it out!  For less than the cost of a month at Weight Watchers ($25) you might even lose to win!
	http://bit.ly/PXFjmB

'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

Ah yes, I keep being tempted!   All those yummy looking brownies at work the other day.  And tonight, candy addicts surrounded me!  But I didn't fall!  In 4 weeks I've had 2 mini hershey bars and 2 andes mints.  Holding off the chocolate cravings with a daily dose of Chocolate Protein drink.  How do all those other girls stay so skinny?  Back on track with healthy wage, but it will be close!  Need to lose about 2 lbs a week until 11-22 to win my bet.  Need to get friendly again with my Jillian Michaels 3 in 1 stepper! 

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff

Got off track a little with my Healthy Wage when we went on vacation.  But rafting down the Green River in Utah put some of that ambition back in me.  Ah...what a vision....me with the paddle in my hand...weighing down the back to keep us steady...(Good thing I didn't fall in---the thing would probably have flipped!)

Unsteady steps to see the petroglyphs on the McConkey Ranch in Utah.  Ran into strangers from Ohio who asked "are you OK."  Face red as a beet, gasping for air as if it was my last breath.

Ran into the SAME COUPLE the next day.  Hundreds of miles away hiking in Dinosaur National Monument from the Colorado side.  There must be a reason for coincidence!  "You look better today," he said.  He was obviously pleased that he wouldn't have to employ any CPR skills.  But, I made it too the end of the hike!  (And got back, too)  Several strangers along the way didn't get that far.  Wahoo!  I think i can, I think I can, I think I can...I KNOW I can!

Gold that's put to use more gold begets...

Foul cankering rust the hidden treasure frets,
But gold that's put to use more gold begets.
~William Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis, 1593

So I am following good ol' Will's advice and putting my money to work.  My 401K certainly hasn't done well, so I've made a new investment....I joined the 10% Healthy Wage Challenge.  For $100, I will double my money if I lose 10% of my weight within 6 months.

Piece of cake...oops, maybe I'd better say, "bunch of broccoli..."

At least I have some control over this.  So, I need help from all my friends and family.  Encourage me to blog...it keeps me focused.   And please don't bring me any peanut butter and chocolate ice cream.  Keep me away from the snacks at work!  Don't take me out for Mexican food for dinner! 

Now, to sleep, perchance to dream!

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble

"Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble."

Yummmmmmy!!!!!  Is this what I'm conjuring up?.... into MY cauldron went the left over tomatoes, beets, red and yellow peppers, carrots, cilantro, onion, garlic, and a bit of Worchestershire Sauce and Tabasco.  Had some broccoli too, but I'm feeding that to the rabbits outside.  Nix on the old romaine...the rabbits can have that too.  Having the mushrooms for breakfast with eggwhites.  Almost have the fridge cleaned out!  Have the crockpot on low until morning.  I will do those witches proud!

(Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1)

Doesn't that just "beet" all?

OH, so today i find myself with apricots, strawberries, tomatoes, and beets that all need to be eaten verrrrry soon.  Memories of the vitamix guy at the fair blending up everything that could have gone down the kitchen sink (through the disposal, of course) came to my mind.  Hmmmm....why not a beet-apricot-berry-tomato smoothie?
So, I chopped up the apricots (actually mashed...they were getting a little mealy), threw in some strawberries, cut up a beet....my little Magic Bullet was getting pretty full, so I added a little milk...no room for the tomatoes.  I added a little ginger paste and some stevia...Viola!  Breakfast!  Yes, the beets made it a bit earthy.  I checked for ideas online.  Looks like oranges might be the fruit of choice with beets.

Well, I didn't need to get rid of my oranges.  They are hanging happily on the tree.  Maybe tomorrow!

Stay tuned for this afternoon.   Still have more beets and have to do something with those tomatoes!

Steppin' with the Stars

I used to love to dance....not the dancing that came with Jr High and High School (Friday Nighters anyone?), but the ballroom stuff I learned at Call's Dance Studio.  Unfortunately, there were never too many people to dance with.  Guess I was born 20 years too late, and now, it seems, 40 years too soon!

I used to dance the Swing and the Cha Cha with Daddy.  His dance was the Jitterbug...the swing was close enough for me.  In college, I used to dance at the Officers' Club with my friend Bill North of the Air Force ROTC.   Wonder what has become of him?  

So, I watch these folks dancing with heels yet!  I get winded walking up the stairs, and there they are dancing and jumping over the treads.  So, I got out my trusty Jillian Michael's 3-in-one stair stepper, and stepped along during the dances.  A long way to go before I could dance again......

"I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Well it's easy to pretend
I know I'm not a fool"

Well, since I know I'm not a fool, I guess I'd better Keep On Steppin'!

Eternal Celebrations

So, after Christmas, vacation in Puerto Rico, Valentine's Day, Easter, Delegates' Conferences out of town, and the National Genealogical Conference in Ohio, I have now found two whole Chihuahuas back on my body!  Using the excuse that I would get back on my diet regime "after....this or that..."  I found myself just gaining more weight. Obviously, that tactic does not work!  There is always another vacation, another business trip, another wedding, another birthday, another (insert name of celebration here). 

I also wish to honor here the memory of my dear little brother, who left us in March.  This stark reality of human mortality should have made me much more attuned to my own errant ways, but I'm just now taking the time to ponder that.

So, recognizing that I am not super-human, and need to practice self control both in eating and daily practices, I continue with this life long quest.  I say continue rather than begin again, because it is obviously an "always" thing!  Need to change that old thinking (like, if I mess up one day, it's all over....so, what the heck....who cares....etc).

So, off to Claim Jumper today, to see how I do....Yep, it's another celebration.  A  gathering of the sibs with Ma for a  late Mothers' Day Celebration.

Hmmmm....should I send the link to this post to my fellow celebrants  BEFORE or AFTER dinner?

Excuses, excuses

OK, so why haven't I been blogging????  Because I fell into one of those traps that seem to catch all of us chronic dieters..I broke a body part, and just couldn't find some alternate way to exercise.  I broke my toe.  How could such a small, usually ignored little digit cause so much pain!!!  I must have subconsciously blamed my Jillian Michaels' 3-in-1 aerobic step, because I've sure been ignoring her (She has taken on the persona of the real Jillian Michaels).  I had been faithfully doing my stepping, and, after reaching a point close to death from heavy breathing and muscle fatigue, I took a break with a speed walk around my living room.  With a wide round around my coffee table, I managed to collide with a recently purchased case of two-buck chuck from Trader Joe's stacked with a case of EAS protein drink (You know, a little red wine provides those necessary anti-oxidants!).  So, thus ended my 100 day exercise challenge,  on day 68.

That was two weeks ago.  Today, my toe is much better.  Still taped up, but I can now walk on it.  A few 12-hour shifts prolongued the pain a bit...it didn't like being shut up in hard toed shoes (The doctor didn't tell me the whole top of my foot would turn purple.)

What's that?  Oh....I think I hear Jillian calling!   Gotta go!

A New Day, A New Year!

So it's time for the yearly weight watcher program change.  Also a good time to get back with blogging again.  When I don't take time for myself, I'm not successful in losing weight.  So, to start of with the first step of "Power Tracker" that I got tonight, I need to think about "Smart-Choices Spaces."  What do I remove from a space that can be replaced with something  to help me succeed.

The first spot is labelled "kitchen."  Well, that one is easy.  I just have to remove the refrigerator.  Maybe I could live with a cooler.  Of course, another choice is the pantry.  I could fill it up with all the clothes I have that I can't fit into.   No food, no fat!

The next spot is labelled "car."  Don't have anything to remove in the car.  Could take the wheels off and walk, but I'd never make the 58 mile trek to work.  I probably need to add things like healthy long lasting snacks for those times when I "gotta have something...."

And then there is "workplace."  I would have to remove myself from the workplace in order to avoid all the holiday goodies that are sure to be there for the next few weeks.  Hmmm.....maybe I should take the wheels off the car!

The Cat's Pajamas!

Now, this is really weird.  I found a 6-8 week old kitten today.  Literally.  Not weight wise, but a real kitten.  Haven't written for a while, because I went out of town without my computer, and haven't had time to catch up.  So, I weighed this little thing, and guess what...it weighs 1.4 pounds.  Exactly what I lost at weight watchers this week. 

So, not a chihuahua, but another sign?  Guess it was good that I didn't stop at the drive through for that hamburger I've been craving (Actually thought about it, but resisted the impulse).  Now, what am I going to do with another cat????  It is locked up in my bathroom right now, temporary litter box at the ready.  It's already climbed up the door, hanging on my robe on the hook at the back of the door.  The three-too-many cats that I already own are going crazy in the rest of the house. 

Friendly little thing, acting like it is starving.  Someone must have just dumped it.  I tried to get it to run back to whomever it might belong to, but it kept circling around my legs an meowing a pathetic little cry.  Too friendly to be one of our wild ones out here.  Destined to be road kill  or coyote bait if left out to fend for itself.

So who wants a kitten????  It's so adorable, but I absolutely cannot keep it.   Helppppp!!!!

¡Ay, Caramba!

Ok Daddy, you must have sent the Chihuahuas.  I know you always wanted the best for us kids, and nurtured us  so we would all grow up to be “productive” adults.  So now you must still be sending messages.  You really must want me to get in shape.

As I drove into my driveway after visiting you today at Riverside National Cemetery, there was a pack of Chihuahuas darting about the yard.  Really!  I’d never seen such a thing!   As I got out of my car, three of them ran around behind the garage and five more ran away down the drive.  I whistled and called to them, and they all came running back, each stopping a few feet away, yipping and yapping at me.  I grabbed my cell phone and called my neighbors, thinking they might know where they came from!  Stupid me, I should have taken a picture with it!  The pups managed to stick around long enough to share some leftovers from my fridge.

OK, I get the message.  I’ll keep losing Chihuahuas.  Eight times approximately five pounds each is 40 pounds.  I need to lose more than that.  But, I’m glad you only sent eight!

Just don’t send any thing bigger.  I don’t think I could handle a pack of Great Danes!

Little Lost Kitty!

I lost an eight week old kitten this week.  Actually, I didn't lose a REAL kitten, but I lost 1.8 pounds this week, and that's about the size of a kitten.  Seems to put a better perspective on the hard work of weight loss when the numbers are transferred into tangible items.

WOW!!! Last week I lost a full grown Chihuahua!!!!!

As easy as riding a bike!

Gosh, I can't get MY bike to do this!

http://youtu.be/-3i6lK7EyVc

Best way for girls to lose weight!

Oh, Pudge!

My new find for the day. I'd read about it but hadn't seen it any stores.  So, I finally took the leap to Amazon (my latest favorite store), and ordered it....
"NoPudge Fudge Brownie Mix."  Fat free brownies that really taste like brownies!

3 points plus value if you are a weight watcher.  You can make a whole box (12 brownies per 8X8 pan), or one at a time.  Just mix it with fat free yogurt!

For one at a time, I mixed 2 T of mix with 1 T of fat free yogurt (I used greek...it's all I had), added a little vanilla, and thinned it with a little water.  Popped it into the microwave for just one minute,  and...Viola!  A sweet low-guilt chocolate treat.  Add a dollop of fat free (no more points) whipped topping and it's even better!  And, making them one at a time, I'm not tempted to eat all 12 servings at once!  And, if that's not chocolaty enough, add a guilt free Nestle's 0 Points plus cup of hot chocolate.  It's enough for anyone's chocolate fix for the day!

This Hungry World

Favorite Food Show:  Hungry Girl. 

7am Sunday mornings. 

 I’m never Hungry enough to get up that early on a Sunday off, so Thank the Lord for TIVO.  And, of course, all the while I’m watching I’m using my Jillian Michaels 3 in 1 Aerobic Stepper.  

It  makes a decent footstool.

Stairstep to Heaven, or, Translator Gone Wild!

OK, this weekend I started exercising on my Jillian Michaels Ultimate 3-in-1 Aerobic Step….  A step board with attached resistance bands and balance board.  Now I can watch “The Biggest Loser” without feeling guilty about sitting on the couch while the contestants sweat, puke, cry, and otherwise give every indication that exercise is the LAST thing that anyone would want to do. 

But really, the reason that I bought this thing is that, while I was researching stair steppers online, I found the following testimonial that just sealed the deal:

“Stair Steppers are Great Exercise and Burn Fat

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Then You might put together by walking for in the overall stairway Carrier (and Rear Bear again, Outside Prominent G5 golf gps This weather time). Are able . in truth make a Skillful Fat reduction Physical exercise And even build up your heartbeat a trustworthy bit! I look at the phys . ed . at a Normal basis, While I Even now regularly Perform dose of step Fairly fast Around my Yet so it definitely Vehicle Take advantage of I just cardiovascular rate. ideal for Individuals who Give good results Backside a Computer for hours – Do not sacrifice Marvelous exercise Combined with enclose All retain flowing! Supplying Add more filling During work, Perhaps it is On your snack hour.

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Found on http://humoradvice.com 

Going Bananas!

Went to Target today to find an egg poacher.  Actually, I already have one, but it’s somewhere down in the storage place that most people call a garage.   While looking  for it I found a cocoa maker, a toaster oven, two  microwave ovens,  a blender, a shushi maker, and an expresso machine.  I guess a garage is really meant to store cars, but, I drive my car every day, so why should I store it?  I keep it out where I can find it.  Otherwise, it might get lost, just like my egg poacher.  Didn’t find an egg poacher at Target, but I did find a Yonana machine.  I saw one on Dr. Oz the other day, so, now, it is in my kitchen, and may be soon coming to a garage near me.

I did try it with some frozen bananas, blueberries, and strawberries I had on hand, and the results were pretty good.  I will have to experiment some more.  Might be a nice substitute for ice cream.

The Wisdom of Pooh

"How long does getting thin take?" asked Pooh, anxiously.
– A.A. Milne

Ah, Pooh, I want to know too!  Just think how nice it will feel when I can take the stairs up to the fourth floor without feeling like I will drop dead in the stairwell!

To Sleep--Perchance to Dream

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z…….Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z……..Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z  Z Z

(Too late tonight…got home in time to eat dinner, get my exercise  in, and now go to bed!)

Food! Glorious Food!

Foods I can’t live without:  

Edamame beans.  Frozen in single serving bags from Costco.  Cook in 3 minutes.   Probably don’t NEED the salt I put on them, but they sure make a satisfying snack!

Nonfat Greek Yogurt.  Fage or Chobani Brand.   The rest don’t taste creamy enough.  Mix in honey or sweetener and it’s a creamy dessert.  Better still, add berries and bananas.

Strawberries.  With the yogurt, or with fat free whipped topping.

Fat free whipped topping!

Better ‘n peanut butter.  I buy it from Trader Joe’s or Amazon.  Sweeter than regular peanut butter, but 85% less fat.  Only 50 calories per Tablespoon.  Makes me crave celery!

PB2.  Powdered peanut butter.  Only 45 calories in 2 Tablespoons.  Buy it from Amazon. 

Arugula.  Makes every salad special.

Apples.  Fast and fresh when I crave something sweet.

Nestle Fat Free Cocoa.  One weight watchers point per 2 servings.  Add fat free whipped topping.

Day 3 Taking aim

"The odds of hitting a target go up dramatically when you aim at it."
-Mal Pancoast

So now I am on day 25 of my weight watchers 100 day challenge....have to exercise at least 30 min/day for 100 days, or start over if a day is missed.  Setting this goal has kept me on my toes...or at least, on my feet!   I've found out that the treadmill works just as well at night as it does in the day.  (note this late night posting).  So, I have taken aim, and I aim to hit my target!

Day 2 wishful shrinking

Oh, had meetings all day.  Still managed to keep up my 30 min walk after I got home....it sures goes faster when you have a walking buddy....in this case, my phone!  This must be why God invented cell phones.  To relieve boredom on the treadmill!