Never tell yourself that you'll blog daily...

Cause it won't happen. Well, In my life it won't. Since it's been 6 months since I've posted anything, why not start today. Let me catch you up. Yes I'm still trying to eat better and lose weight. No I didn't stick with Weight Watchers. There's nothing wrong with weight watchers. Nothing at all. It just isn't for me. It gave me to much freedom to eat the foods I loved the most and justify eating it because I was counting it's "points". Some people it works magic. Truly it does. But just not for me. Still down 10 lbs from when I started on this journey which is good I guess. But could you imagine if I would've really stuck with it and tried harder. I could've been at my goal by now. But that's ok. I'm still down. Here's what I'm doing now.

Actual healthy eating. It's a lot more structured. Laid flat out for you. Morning... Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (WHOA) 1 egg 1 egg white Sometimes a slice of avocado with it 1 grapefruit and 1 apple juiced ( You can eat them whole but I decided to juice them instead. Easier to eat) Lunch Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar Salad with either chicken or steak Tomatoes Peppers Whatever veggie I want to go along with the salad Dinner Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (really! 3 times a day) Steak or chicken again along with a veggie. I usually do sauteed mushrooms or asparagus. Another grapefruit and apple juiced Before bed... A couple bites of low fat cottage cheese and strawberries or grapes

So that's it. My daily routine. I'm not going to lie, some days it's hard. And I can't say I've been on top of it but It's been a whole lifestyle change that I see has become normal. I know things that I can't eat at all and things I can splurge on every now and then. When I'm on top of it I feel better. I have more energy. Here's to Happy Eating!!! A couple of pictures to catch you up!

Life happens, so now what?

I joke because I was so gun ho for this blog and now it's been 2 weeks since the last time I blogged. Let me catch you up and let you know why I haven't been blogging. Week 3 was not a good week. Not only did I become really lazy, I just felt really defeated that week. So when I got on the scale that Monday morning not only didn't I lose, I actually gained a couple of ounces. I know... that's normal but at the time it really made me feel bad. So I whined for a little while but then sucked it up and kept on going! So here I was. A fresh start on a new week. So I thought... A very good friend of mine past away on October 3rd and out went weight watchers for that week. I had no desire to count points or exercise and whatever. I didn't want to do anything but eat. I wanted the comfort food. AKA... multiple mocha's during the day. Pizza from the mall (eww gross). Just stuff that wasn't ideal to eat but I did realize I am most definitely an emotional eater. GUILTY! So now you're caught up to this week and let me tell you, I knew that it wouldn't be a pretty site getting on the scale this week after last weeks "issues" but low and behold... I'm down 2 MORE LBS!! I couldn't believe it. So here I am, back on track ready to keep'em coming. Tomorrow I plan on sharing with you some of the best recipes we've found through Weight Watchers Online.

Here's a picture of my wonderful friend who taught me so much about who I am and who I wanted to be. Kay Sampson, thank you for breathing life and wisdom into me when I was nothing but an empty soul!

Week 2

I'll tell you what... Week 2 flew by! I can't believe that it's almost October. Bring it on! I love fall. Everything about it makes me happy. The cool crisp mornings. The warm sun in the afternoon and of course the cold nights. Well, I'm sure you're wondering how my muffins turned out Saturday morning. Pretty good. I'm going to have to practice the whole streusel technique. I couldn't get it the right "crumblelyness" but I'll keep working on it! I'm so stoked about this coming week. Last Friday I went on Weight Watchers Online and got a bunch of recipes to start cooking for dinner and I was so impressed with what they had. Last night Matt fixed filet mignon with a side of grilled veggies and my gosh it was good. Matt can really cook. He's on a kick and gets so excited about making stuff. Tonight we're having scallops. I'll let you know how I like it. Another new thing that's about to start is JAZZERSIZE!!! This ain't your grandmothers cardio. A good friend of mine teaches it so I know for a fact it will be fun and probably a little wild. Oh! I guess you want to know how my weigh in went.... down 3 more pounds baby!!!!

Some things we did this week...

Saturday Morning Sweetness

I can't wait for this Saturday morning... here's why



We have an early riser on our hands so we're up pretty early no matter what day it is. I don't think Leeland has received the memo that you're supposed to sleep in on Saturdays. Oh well. We will have plenty of time to make these!

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

PointsPlus® Value: 6
Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 14 min
Cooking Time: 35 min

Here's the receipe

Ingredients

2 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
1 large egg(s)
1 cup(s) sugar, divided
3/4 cup(s) reduced-fat sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk, divided
2 cup(s) fresh blueberries, washed and picked over
2 Tbsp butter, melted

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Place muffin liners in a 12-hole muffin tin.


In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.


Using an electric mixer, beat egg with 3/4 cup of sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add sour cream and beat until thoroughly combined; blend in vanilla extract.


Add half of flour mixture and half of milk to sugar mixture; beat until just combined. Add remaining flour mixture and milk; beat until smooth.


Fold in blueberries and fill each muffin liner about 3/4 full; set aside.


To make streusel topping, in a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup each of sugar and flour. Pour in melted butter and combine with fingertips. Divide crumb mixture over muffins; gently press into top of muffin batter with fingertips.


Bake until slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans for about 10 to 15 minutes and then transfer muffins onto racks to cool completely. Yields 1 muffin per serving.
Notes
You can use any combination of fresh berries in this recipe. Frozen berries are fine to use as long as you make sure they’re completely thawed first.

Week 1 done!!

Can't believe it but I'm already finished with week 1. I thought it would be the hardest but over all, it hasn't been hard at all! I'm so blessed with the support I've been getting from everyone. It blows me away. People I haven't spoken with in a long time are now sharing with me that they as well are on this journey. Keep it coming is all I can say. It helps so much to know that I'm not alone in this. One person in particular that is my rock is my husband Matt. I can't put into words what he's doing for me. He's taking on some of my "evening tasks" just so I can get my 30 day shred in. I even caught him doing it the other night.... He is so supportive. Last night I had Leeland all by myself because he had to pull an 'all dayer" at the coffee shop but I realized how much of a relief he is when he's away. Here is why... Leeland thinks it's pretty freakin funny when I do my shred in the evening. Whether it's being down on the ground doing abs or looking like a crazy woman doing jumping jacks, she cracks up and wants to come over and pat me on the leg. Let's just say last night I was bouncing all around the living room trying to steer clear of my laughing mini me...

Yesterday was my weigh in day and......drum roll please...... I LOST 5lbs!!!!
I'm so pumped. It was so nice to have my friends around to celebrate with me!

I'm keeping this momentum up to get started on week 2!!

Oh, real quick. So I bought some new shoes. I wore them ALL day Sunday. I'm not exaggerating either. From 7:30 am to 9:00 pm these babies were on. That should count for my daily activity points. Just sayin!

The reason for all of this..

To make this quick

I'm unhealthy.
I'm overweight.
I'm over it.

Ever since I've been out of college this has been an issue. It didn't happen over night. It was a slow moving problem. But now it's time to deal with it. I've talked about it and also done the whole diet thing here and there but not to the point of now. One thing that I can't stand is that I now look at my daughter Leeland and have all these desires for her as she grows. I want her to be happy and healthy. Why don't I desire the same for me? Oh wait, I DO! As of Monday, September 5th, after looking at the scale and realizing that it was just me standing on that stupid thing I'm over this! God created me in his image. Inside and Out. I am meant for more than this. I'm meant to be healthy and happy about the way I look. Not in a conceded way, but happy with who I am. I'm not at that place right now. So this is why I'm starting this blog. I want to track my day to day things I run into, I accomplish, I figure out. I want to look back at this in a year and see how strong I am and what I can over come. I hope you can walk with me through this journey. I would love help, encouragement, and tips! So here we go!