Fail!

I'm guessing nobody even reads this anymore.  I can't say I blame you.  It's been a big ugly fail.  Operation Sexy Red Dress crashed and burned.  May 1 has come and gone and not only did I not reach the goal that I'd set, but I gained back everything I had lost since joining Weight Watchers initially and then some!  Needless to say, I am not happy with myself.

And that's the key, I am the only one responsible for this failure!  There is no red dress in my closet.  There was no dress shopping.  I will be heading out on our anniversary cruise in a little over two weeks and I might even weight more than I did when we got married.  I honestly don't know only because I never weighed myself back then.

So I need to refocus.  Find a new track and get moving to lose all of this added weight.  I've done it before, so I should be able to do it again.  I know it's not easy, but I have to give it a try.

 

Sometimes you jump off, but then you need to jump right back on!

Off to my Weight Watchers meeting today and I knew it was going to be an ugly scale day.  I went to the Red Sox game on Saturday and then down to the Cape for 3 days.  I ate what I wanted and didn't workout, so of course, I couldn't expect the scale to show a loss.  I knew it was going to be up and up ugly.  No surprise there.

I'm not going to say it was the right thing to do, but it's done and it's time to move on.  I need to get back on track and focus.  I know I can do this.  I obviously have done it.  I even did it on vacation.  (If you remember, back in June, I was off for over a week and still managed to lose a pound.)  But I didn't do it this time and that was my choice so I have to own it.

And now I just jump right back on again and make the right choices and do the work to reach my goals.  No excuses!  I did what I did and know I'll do what I have to do to turn it around. 

See something, Say Something!

I know, you're probably thinking that's an odd title, but let me explain.

Last night, I got on the train on my way home and my friend got on shortly after me.  She said, "I was walking behind you and I could tell you lost more weight." 

Now, I did tell her that I've been bouncing around the same 5 lbs recently, but that the kickboxing is really helping me tone and I can tell in the way my clothes fit.  She said she could definitely tell too.

But just the fact that she noticed and took the time to say something was thrilling!  It just gives that little extra boost of confidence that something is working and that even though the number on the scale isn't consistently going down, things really are changing and people are noticing.  It's an incentive to keep doing what I'm doing!

So if you notice a friend or family member looks like they're losing weight or getting fit, say something!  It could be that little extra push that they need to keep going.  It could be the one bright spot in an otherwise dismal day. 

And it doesn't just have to be about weight either.  Say something positive!  You could really make someones day!  And that will make you feel good too. 

How do I feel?

We put so much emphasis on numbers that sometimes we forget that their are other indicators of success.  Of course losing weight is my ultimate goal, but I know that I'm getting fit and I'm getting stronger.  I can feel it.  And I need to make sure I always remember that and don't always just focus on the number.

I've been taking kickboxing for about 2 months now, usually going about once a week.  Over that time, the numbes on the scale have been on a roller coaster ride.  I can loot at certain weeks where I know that I didn't do all the work I needed to do, but this week was a little different.

Could I have done better with what I chose to eat and how much I worked out? Sure!  But I also know that since my last weigh-in, I took 2 kickboxing classes, walked every day during lunch and I really noticed a change in the way my clothes fit yesterday.  The shirt that I wore is clingy and when I first bought it this past spring, it was very fitted and really clung to every curve on my body (and there are lots of those).  When I wore it about two weeks ago, it was less clingy than when I bought it.  And when I wore it yesterday...it was significantly looser than even just two weeks ago.  I felt space between my curves (I don't think those are going anywhere - just getting smaller) and the fabric of the shirt.  That is success!

So my body is changing and even though the scale said I'm up 1.2 lbs this week, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that I stay focused on the positives and not just on the numbers.  I am going to think more about how I feel (and right now, I can tell you that I feel pretty sore from that kickboxing class I took 2 days ago) and how my clothes fit and less on the number on the scale. 

I am getting fit and gaining muscle and I can't wait to see how I look when it comes time to go shopping for my Sexy Red Dress!

I can do this!

Kicking it to the curb!

Kickboxing is really fun and I'm getting better at it.  I originally signed up for 5 classes.  It was an online special and included a free pair of boxing gloves.  Yes, that's right people, I now have my own boxing gloves.  Don't mess with me!

The special was 5 classes for $29.99.  Once I finished the first 5, I signed up for 35 more.  I'm definitely getting stronger! 

Last night, as I was punching and kicking the bag, I was daydreaming about where I'd be next year next year on my birthday.  We have plans already, and I'm really hoping that I'll be looking FABULOUS!  Of course, that means I have to keep doing the work. 

I am happy to report that at my Weight Watchers weigh-in yesterday, I was down 2.4lbs, which sounds fantastic, but what you don't know is that I was up 2lbs the week before.  I am very happy that I lost the 2lbs plus a little more, and I'm really hoping that I continue to put up some good numbers over the next few weeks.  I think 30+ kickboxing classes should help with that, plus all the walking I'm doing. 

I can do this! 

Setbacks and Comebacks

It's been a rough couple of weeks in the weight loss department, mainly because I'm not really losing any weight.  I've gained some.

I've gotten a little lazy with the workouts, but I'm slowly but surely making my way back.  I've been hitting the track and walking several times a week, plus my walks during lunch.  And I'm still going to kickboxing.  Last week's class was so good that I am still a little sore today.  How is that good?  Because I know I'm really working the muscles.  It's a good sore. 

The back pain definitely slowed me down, but I can't use that as an excuse.  I have to deal with it.  And I actually found that it felt better after kickboxing.  So this is good!!

I'm not going to post my current weight right now because I think there were some other factors contributing to the gain last week and I want to see what happens when I weigh-in this week.  So stay tuned!

No, I didn't forget my blog!

It's been 2 weeks since my last post, so I thought I should probably come in and say something. 

So what has been happening since my last post?  Well, I had a birthday, so I'm another year older.  43...still feels like 23.  Maybe that's because I still act like I'm 23. 

So what did I do for my birthday?  I celebrated.  We took a mini-vacation and went to the Jersey Shore.  I had Italian food.  And cake.  And frozen custard, zeppoles, cheese fries and fried clams on the boardwalk.  (Not all at once.)  I didn't exactly work out, and I gained almost 3 lbs.  Oh well...life goes on and I'll just have to work it off.  My birthday only comes once a year and I was going to enjoy it.

After we got home, my back started to bother me.  A rather sharp pain right across the top of my back.  Not my neck or shoulders, but my back.  It was very uncomfortable and at times, I wanted to cry.  So I called the doctor and went in to see her.  She checked me out and said that there was nothing wrong with the bones and it was probably just muscular, so she prescribed a muscle relaxer for me to take at night and also suggested to put heat on it and to take 2 Aleve twice a day.  It is much better now, thankfully.  But, because it was so painful last week, I didn't take my kickboxing class. 

I did return to kickboxing last night and my back actually felt better after the class than it has felt all week, so I'm happy with that.  I also went to WW yesterday and I lost a tiny smidge of what I'd gained while on vacation.  I'm happy to be going in the right direction again and I plan to work hard to make it back where I was and to make sure that I reach the goals I've set.

It's easy to just let it go, but I need to refocus and get back on track.  I don't want to undo all the hard work I've done this year.  I am going to get into that sexy red dress! 

Choices!

Every day we make choices.  You and only you are responsible for the choices you make. 

So where did this come from?  Yesterday, I posted on my Facebook that I wanted a cookie, a cupcake and ice cream sundae.  Several people said go for it.  I mentioned that I was going to get a frozen Greek yogurt from Pinkberry on my lunch hour and my sister basically told me not to "be good" but to go for the bad stuff.

Now granted, I didn't see that comment until late last night, long after I went to Pinkberry, but I'm pretty sure I still wouldn't have done what she said.  (Ok, she said to go get a frozen custard because she lives in IL now and forgets that MA doesn't have frozen custard.  We have ice cream, but still, you get the idea.) 

Even though I was craving something sinful, I chose to find a satisfactory alternative.  And not only that, but I went to my kickboxing class last night too, so I worked off that frozen yogurt.  But it was my choice.  I could have chosen to get a cookie or a cupcake or a regular full fat ice cream, but I didn't.  I chose to go for something better.  But not matter what I chose, I would have owned it because it was my decision. 

Every day we make choices about what we're going to do and what we're going to eat.  It's not always going to be easy to make the healthy choice, and there are going to be times when you decide you really want that Big Mac instead of the 6 inch turkey sandwich with just veggies, no cheese, no sauce, from Subway.  But other days, you're going to choose the healthier option.  Either way, it is your choice.  You own it.  You are responsible for it.  And you know what you need to do if you want to lose the weight and get healthy. 

I'm not going to say that I never choose the cupcake because that would be a big fat lie.  But it's my choice.  And I'm the one who has to live with it.  I'll be proud when I make the healthy choice and disappointed when I make the unhealthy choice, but either way, it's all me!  Don't let others make the choice for you.  This is your life and your journey.  You decide where and how it goes.

Excuses vs. Reasons

I didn't blog last week because I didn't really have much to say. Weight wise, I was up 0.8 but I wasn't surprised since there was no kickboxing class the week of July 4th. I should have found something else to do, but I didn't. And that leads me to this week's topic actually...excuses vs. reasons.

I think there is a fine line between the two and it's very easy to blur that line or to pretend it doesn't exist. But we have to try not to let that happen. The way I see it, excuses are the easy way out. Reasons are legit.

Not having class last week was my excuse. Sure, I couldn't control that there was no class, but that didn't mean that I could take the week off. That fact that I didn't do some other activity instead is the reason that I gained weight. That is the reality. Had I done something else instead, the results would have been different.

This past week, my weight stayed the same. So what's the reason for that? I need to figure that out. I did the class and I've been working harder to get my steps in. It's been really hot out, and I could use that as an excuse, but it would be just there. There are other things I can do that don't mean being outside in the heat. Yes, the heat is keeping me from my power walks at lunch, but that means I need to step it up when I'm in the air conditioning. I find reasons to go up and down the stairs at work. I do more running/jogging at home at night. Adding those extra steps helps.

Now, if I was laid up in bed because of illness or injury, that would be a reason not to work out. It's "too hot" is just an excuse. See the difference?

Keep Moving!

Just a quick inspiration for today! 

 

 

Still celebrating!

Today's weigh-in has me down another 0.8 to put me at 205.2 lbs.  When I started in January, I was at 217, so that means I've lost 11.8 lbs.  I'd say that's a pretty good pace since I want to be under 200 by December 31st.  I'm confident I can not only get under 200, but do it well in advance of December.  And of course, there is that 185 goal for May 1, 2014.

The Fourth of July has arrived.  This is the celebration of America's independence.  A time for barbecues and fireworks.  It's also the month of my birthday - another celebration.  Cake and ice cream and hopefully a special dinner.  Do you notice a theme here?  Celebrations tend to involve food! 

So can you celebrate and still lose weight?  Of course you can.  You just have to be smart about it.  Take time to plan.  And don't kid yourself.  You are not going to be able to avoid some of those favorite celebration foods.  I can tell you right now that I will not be giving up ice cream.  No way.  No how.  I'm also going to be enjoying potato salad.  That's a favorite of mine.  But I'm going to focus on smaller portions.  Ok, who am I kidding, there will not be a smaller portion of ice cream. 

In addition, I will be making sure that I'm getting my workouts in.  That kickboxing class will help, but there are no classes this week, so I have to find other things to do.  And "It's hot!" is not a valid excuse.  Find something you can do indoors or get out early before the heat really sets in.  Yes, in this area, it is ridiculously humid so you're practically sweating as soon as you step out the door, but that is not a workout.  Hit the track.  You don't have to run.  Just go for a walk.  But make sure you drink plenty of water.  You need to stay hydrated.  And when you finish the walk, jump in the shower....lukewarm to actually wash off the sweat and then a nice cool shower to refresh!  You will feel amazing.

I also do little things throughout the day.  When I'm at work and I'm standing at the copier waiting for it to finish, I'll walk in place.  I also do this at various other times of the day.  It is not unusual to just seem marching in place.  When I'm doing the dishes, in the bathroom washing my hands, waiting for the toaster or the microwave.  If you really think about it, there are so many times during the day when you are just standing still and you could be marching or jogging in place.  You're not going to drop tons of weight doing just this, but the little things will add up and will keep you moving.  And if you wear a step counter, even better because you'll see those numbers climb.

Watching tv at night.  Get up off the couch and jog in place.  I do this all the time.  You can do it during commercials.  Or jog during the show and do something else during the commercials, like climb the stairs.  I actually count as I'm jogging.  At the pace that I count, I get about 800 steps for every 100 count.  So I'll do 100 or 200 or 500, take a break and then do another count a little later.  There are some days/nights that I get in 8000-10000 steps just from jogging while watching tv.

When I get home from work at night, I change into workout clothes.  Since I have them on, I'm more inclined to do something physical.  I'll do my jogging, use my kettle bell weights, use my exercise ball, do some stretches, or any combination of these things.  It's easy and does make a difference. 

So find the little things you can do to increase the physical activity while you're going about your daily routines. 

And remember, you can enjoy the summer season with all the ice cream, bbq, potato salad, but do it in moderation and find ways to work it off.  Instead of just sitting at the bbq, get up and walk around to mingle.  Or if you're really feel rambunctious, play with the kids.  You know they are out there running around doing something active.  Why aren't you?

Happy 4th of July!!

Find your mojo!

My birthday is 4 weeks from tomorrow and while I hadn't set a goal for that event, I'm going to set one now.  I'm going to aim for losing another 2 lbs between now and then.  I think 2lbs in 4 weeks is perfectly reasonable.  When I weighed in this morning, I was down 1.2 to 206lbs.  So for my birthday, I want to be at 204. 

The most important thing for me is to work out.  Last week, I took that first kickboxing class and I'll be going again tonight.  There was a lot of stuff that I couldn't do.  I could hit and kick the bag just fine, but the strength exercises in between almost did me in.  I know that I'll get better over time.  And everyone was so supportive, so that was a big help. 

On Friday, my foot was a bit sore.  That was the foot where I'd torn the ligaments in December 2011.  On Saturday, everything was sore.  Every joint and muscle ached.  But it felt good knowing that I'd done the work and that if I just kept at it, the pain would disappear and I'd get better, stronger, leaner.  I did buy an ankle brace over the weekend too, so I intend to wear that tonight and I'm hoping that will help with the ligament issue. 

I read something recently that said that you need to change up your workout routine because that is one of the top reasons we hit a plateau.  So while I'll still walk/jog, I think adding the kickboxing will be a big help.  And who knows what that might lead me to try in the future.  There are so many things out there, fun things, that are more than just exercise. 

I think that's a big key to success.  Find an exercise, workout, activity that you enjoy, and then find something else too.  If you don't enjoy it, you won't want to do it.  But you also can't quit after the first try.  Give it a couple of tries and then decide.  If you really don't like it, find something else.  And just keep searching for things you enjoy.  But try to find more than one thing that will keep you interested, keep you motivated, keep you moving.  One thing could probably lead to boredom and most definitely will lead you to a plateau, but having more than one activity will keep you interested and that can only lead to good things.

Find your mojo! 

Opinions needed!

I've been thinking about creating a blog about all the books I read.  I'd be posting my opinions and reviews on books I'm reading.  I'd also be campaigning, stumping, pimping for my favorite authors...just like I did in yesterday's post. 

So what do you think?  Is this something you'd be interested in reading/following? 

I wish there was a way I could do it right from my Kindle, but so far I haven't found the right app and I don't think blogger has one for the Kindle.  If anyone knows of one, please let me know!

I sorted tried Wordpress last week on the Kindle, but I can't seem to figure out how to design it and make it personal to my style.  Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but it just wasn't as user friendly as this one is.  Only problem is that I can't seem to publish to this one from the Kindle.  I think I can type to it, but I just can't publish it.  I need to get onto a computer in order to publish it.

Anyway...is that enough rambling for you?  Seriously...please let me know what you think about me creating a Book Blog! 

Hit the comment button and leave your opinion please!!

Completely Off Topic! But it's my blog so I can do what I want! :-)

This would be considered shameless self promotion except for the fact that I'm not promoting myself.  I'm promoting my friend  Lacey Weatherford and her new book, Smitten, which was just released this weekend. 

Here is the link to the book on Amazon:  Smitten

So why am I promoting this book?  Well, because I can.  It's my blog and I can do what I want.  Hehe!  But really, I'm a huge fan of Lacey.  I first read her Of Witches and Warlocks series and instantly fell in love.  I had to read her other books, which include Chasing Nikki and Finding Chase in the Chase series, and Crush, to which Smitten is the followup.

Each series she writes has one basic premise, they are all about true love.  And who doesn't love LOVE?  But each series is also uniquely it's own.  Of Witches and Warlocks is about, well, I think the title says it all, witches and warlocks.  The main characters are Portia and Vance.  The Chase series and the Crush series don't involve any supernatural beings, but they are still great stories that will make you want to read the next in the series.  I have enjoyed all of them and can not wait to read more of Lacey's books. 

I'm so glad that I discovered Lacey's books and I now consider her a friend, even though so far we've only met through Facebook, and sometimes I do wonder if she might be afraid that I could be a stalker.  Honest, I'm not!  Really!  I'm just a rabid fan.  Ok, rabid might not be a good word to use.  I do call her my obsession, but I mean that only in the most loving way possible.  Ok, even that sounds creepy.  I should just quit now.

Bottom line...if you love to read, go look for Lacey Weatherford!!  And if you have a Kindle, click that link above and buy Crush and Smitten now while they are still 99 cents!!! 

I'll even make it easy for you, so you don't have to search for Crush...here's the link:  Crush
So click this one for Crush and the one all the way up there at the top of this post to get Smitten.  Hurry up?  What are you waiting for?  Why are you still reading?  I'm done.  Over and out!  Sayonara! 

Kick it!

Yesterday's weigh-in was decent.  I was down again, but didn't lose as much as I'd gained the previous week.  But no complaints, at least it's going in the right direction.

Last night was my first kickboxing class!  That's right folks, I'm now allowed to punch and kick things.  Ok, only in a controlled environment and it's only the punching bags.  I can't actually hit people or I will still get arrested.  But at least now, if someone really irritates me, I can just picture their face on that bag and start hitting.  It's a great release!  (Have no fear, I'm not really a violent person and have never actually hit anyone.)

I am a little sore this morning, but not too bad.  I will tell you that I slept really well last night too, so that is another definite plus to taking this class. 

I saw this yesterday and I thought it was very appropriate.  And it's something I want to always remember.  As much as we'd love for it to happen, the weight is not going to just fall off.  I am not going to wake up one day with a glorious body, unless I work at it.  So while walking is good exercise, I know that if I really want to have a fit, toned and healthy body, I'm going to have to work harder and not just settle for mediocre!  Kickboxing is definitely not mediocre. 

The Candy Dish!

How many of us have a candy dish in our office?  Show of hands?  Ok, I can't really see you raising your hand, but I will tell you that we have one.  Actually, there are several.  Our office is a nightmare for anyone trying to watch their weight.  We have cake & ice cream once a month; bagels, pastries and fruit every Friday and then there are all the other parties throughout the year.  But let's get back to the candy dish.

There are a couple of secretaries who have them, but the one with the most enticing array of candy and chocolate is the one at the reception desk.  Did you catch that word chocolate?  Oh yes, this candy dish isn't just some hard candies.  Oh no, it contains mini Reese's peanut butter cups, fun size Mounds and Almond Joy, mini Snickers...you name it, it has probably been in that candy dish at one time or another. 

Have you ever seen any stats on the office candy jar and what it can do to your weight?  Let me share a bit with you:

Sweating It Off

Eating just two pieces of candy each workday adds about 480 calories to the bottom line over a work week. To burn that off, a 160-pound person would have to:

• Walk (2 mph): 157 minutes
• Ballroom dance: 132 minutes
• Golf (carrying clubs): 88 minutes
• Backpack: 56 minutes
• Run (8 mph): 29 minutes

A 2006 study shows that office employees ate nearly8 pieces of candy each day when there was a candy dish available. 

Three tiny peanut butter cups dent your diet to the tune of 120 calories plus 3 grams of saturated fat. 

I remember an article I'd read a few years ago about how much weight the average person gains when they have an office candy dish and eat candy from it daily.  I wish I could find the actual article and the stats, but it was astounding. 

So, when 2013 started, I decided that I was not going to touch the office candy dish anymore.  And I haven't.  Honesty, I have not eaten a single piece of candy from that candy dish.  I also haven't taken anything from the not-so-hidden stash that is used to refill the candy dish, with the exception of one hard candy when I had a cold/sore throat a few months ago and couldn't find a cough drop.  I have taken gum from the drawer, sugarless.  I am very proud of myself and my friend, who is the receptionist and the one responsible for filling the dish, is pretty amazed and tells everyone how I don't eat it. 

I was eating at least 5 pieces a day.  And those 3 mini peanut butter cups, yeah, that was more like 6 or 8.  I love chocolate and peanut butter together, so those were my weakness.  Along with the Almond Joy.  And then at Easter, it's the malted milk Robin's Eggs. 

But I'm not doing that anymore.  I won't say I never eat candy, but I don't eat any from the office candy dish anymore.  That was the epitome of mindless eating.  Now I look at it every time I walk by, which so far today has probably been about 20 times, but I don't touch it and honestly, it rarely "calls to me" anymore. 

(if I find that article and those stats about how much people gain, I will update this post.)

And the Streak Comes to an End!

I gained this week.  After thirteen straight weeks of weight loss, the scale tipped the other way and I put up a 1.4lb gain. 

I could say that I have no idea how that happened.  Or I could do like I've done in the past where I just get upset and frustrated and pretend like I don't know how I could have possibly gained, but let's be honest.  I know what I did and didn't do. 

So let's look at what is going on in my life.  First...I'm a woman!  (Ok, hopefully that wasn't really a revelation to any of you.)  As a woman, my body is constantly changing.  Our monthly cycle can wreak havoc our weight loss efforts.  We all know that.  And every month is different.  So while some months you won't see it have much effect as we try to lose weight, other months, it is an evil monster adding weight to our obdies when we're not looking.  So sometimes, no matter what we do, we will just not lose weight.

However, I'm not going to use that as an excuse.  I'm sure it's having some impact because I've been craving salt lately and we all know that salt causes water weight gain. 

But the other truths are that I have been slipping with my workouts and that I ate out a lot over the last week. 

The laziness in the workouts all started while we were on vacation.  You may remember that we walked a lot while we were in Chicago, but that was the end of it.  And then after we got back, the weather has not been the greatest (it is raining again now, so I'm inside during my lunch hour instead of out walking).  Even though the last couple of weeks still showed a loss on the scale, I figured it would catch up to me eventually, and it has.  I shouldn't use the weather as too much of an excuse though.  It does have an impact on my walking at lunch, but I still should be doing my at home workouts.  I have done some, but not nearly enough. 

My eating hasn't been the best either.  I made some good choices and on my workdays, I've stuck with my normal breakfast and lunch, but there was a lot of eating out before Monday.  We went out to dinner for our anniversary last week, but we went for sushi and when I weighed in the next day, that still looked ok.  But then I had my niece and nephew staying over this past weekend.  The husband and I went out for breakfast on Saturday on the way to pick them up.  Then I took them to Red Robin for lunch.  I didn't have a burger, but had a 1/2 order of wings and chips.  Then I took them out to dinner before we went to the New England Revolutions game.  I had a lobster roll, although I ate only 1/4 of the bun that it was on, and sweet potato fries.  Oh yes, and hubby brought Chinese food home for dinner on Friday night.

So I do know what I've been doing wrong.  And I know I can change it.  I refuse to give up on this quest.  I need to stay focused and remind myself that I want this and that I need to do the work if I'm going to make it work. 

I'm also about to sign up for that kickboxing class so I can kick this weight to the curb! 

Am I really going to do this?

Kickboxing!?!  I've said a few times that I thought I'd enjoy kickboxing and that it would be a great way to get in shape.  But I seem to keep dragging my feet and I've never signed up.

Well, I just took a baby step.  I sent a message to Personal Best Karate in Foxboro, where they have kickboxing and I guess they'll be contacting me. 

I am pretty nervous.  I've never really done anything super athletic.  Although, I have wanted to kick some butt before.  Ok, I probably want to kick some butt on a regular basis.  Not that I've ever really done it, but I've wanted to.  Somehow I think that I'll be the one getting my butt kicked in this class, for a while at least.  But hey, if it helps me drop some weight and feel more energized, it will be worth it.  Maybe I'll be in the best shape of my life in my mid 40's. 

So wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted on my progress of actually getting into the class. 

Recipe!! (I should do this more often!)

How about a recipe?  This just looks so good to me, I thought I had to share it.

One of the healthiest and yummiest breakfast/snacks ever!! High in protein and healthy fats. SO good for you! And delicious ;-)
Ingredients:
Whole avocado
Egg...s
Cayenne pepper (or any spice of your choice)
Cheese (optional)

Remove the stone from an avocado. Scoop out a little more avocado to increase the size of the stone's crater. Crack an egg into the crater. Sprinkle with Cayenne pepper (cheese too if you desire). Bake in the oven at 180 degrees until egg is cooked to the level you like.

What works for me may not work for you!

So it seems that my post yesterday created a bit of turmoil, so I want to make a statement about this blog in general. 

I decided to do this blog for me, to chronicle my success (and failures) as I work toward my goals with weight loss.  I am not a professional, a weight loss expert, or a nutritionist.  I am posting about what I'm doing and what is and is not working for me.  I am not trying to tell anyone that this is what they need to do to have success. 

Yesterday I mentioned that I weigh myself on my Wii Fit every day.  I have been doing this for years now.  I do not obsess about my weight.  I do not freak out when I step on the Wii balance board and it tells me I gained 0.2 or 0.4.  In fact, most of the time, within 5 minutes of when I step of the board, I forget what it said anyway.  I use it as an informational tool but it does not rule my life.  When it told me on Monday that I was up 2.5lbs, I thought about how that could be and I realized, I had consumed more sodium on Sunday than I normally do.  It gave me the chance to evaluate what I had eaten and then I was able to make adjustments to the rest of the week to swing that pendulum back in the right direction.  I have never and will never starve myself. 

I can tell you that had I not seen that 2.5lb gain on Monday, I would have eaten some things during the next couple of days that would have simply compounded the problem.  Instead, I was able to fix it.  Again, I didn't starve myself.  I still ate every meal plus some snacks.  I even had ice cream!  Yes, I did.  (I love ice cream and you can never make me give it up!!)

All of the "experts" say that you shouldn't weigh yourself every day.  And yesterday, I had several people telling me that I should follow what the experts say.  If you knew me, you'd know, I'm a rebel.  You can keep telling me "don't do it!", but I'm still going to do it.  Because this is about me and I know what works for me.

It may not be the right thing for you.  It may not be the right thing for 90-99% of the world.  But it is right for me.  I am not blogging to tell anyone what they should or should not do.  I am blogging about what I am doing.  If some of what I do works for you, that is great.  But if it doesn't, I am not offended by that and I'm not asking you to mirror my actions.  Find what works for you and do that.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my blog, to send me comments, etc.  But please, do not take my words for gospel.  This is about me, my thoughts, my feelings, my progress.  It's about what I'm doing.  There are a million other ways I could go about losing weight and getting fit, but I know ME.  I know that there are some things that just won't work for me.  There are some things that only work for me.  And there are so many things that I have not tried yet that might work.  I just don't know. 

Again, thank you so much for reading!