Been gone a long time

It's been a long time since I posted anything and I don't have any excuse. A lot of things have went on since my last blog, but I won't bore you with all the details. I have lost almost 20 lbs since my last blog and I also had throat surgery. I'm taking a semester off from school and trying to start up a new business with my sister. In the meantime, we have placed an add for cleaning houses and got our first hit today. Changes are being made in my life and I love the direction it is taking.

My oldest daughter and her husband treated the kids and me to a 4 day vacation in Sevierville. We stayed at the Wilderness at the Smokies. All of us had a blast and enjoyed our time away from home and the stresses of life.

I discovered a new love over the summer, CANNING! I have made canned, dill pickles, tomato sauces, banana peppers, homemade spaghetti and marianary sauces. With the help from my sister and sister-in-law we have frozen many different vegetables and have been experimenting with different recipes. Summer has been great!

Until later......

Day 18

This weekend has been very sad for my family. Yesterday, we lost my Uncle Robert. The family is devastated. In the past 2 months we have lost 3 dear family members. My Mom is having a very hard time, Robert was her oldest brother. I'm going to take a break from blogging for a few days, but I'll be back when things calm down..

Until Later

Day 15

Hey guys, I missed blogging yesterday. Just not feeling up to par. The phneumonea has really got me down. Trying to get back on track though. Allergy season is causing alot of people to get sick. I'm recommending chicken noodle soup and plenty of vitamin C. I still haven't broke over and had any Diet Dr. Pepper. The smoking issue is a little slow, but I know I can do it.
Have you every taken steroids? Well, I'm here to tell you, I don't like them. They increase your appetite and that's really hard when you are trying to lose weight. My doctor told me to be patient that once I'm off of them things will fall back into place. I got news yesterday that I need surgery and with this surgery I'll have to spend some time in ICU. I'm a little terrified of the thought, but I know it's long over due and it's something that needs to be done. I'm not sure about the date yet, but I will keep you updated.
While I'm recovering from phneumonea and strep, I'm going to take a break from the food diaries, but I'm still watching what I eat. Walking is a little difficult when all you can do is cough, so that's something else that I'm taking a break from just for a little bit.
I'm taking my little girl for allergy testing today and I hope she's not allergic to our sweet little dog Miley.
We've been renovating and maybe it's just has to do with all the dust that comes along with it or maybe just all this pollen. I guess we'll find out today. Going to go for now. Until later.

Day 13

Today, I went to the doctor and had to have 2 shots and a chest x-ray. I have pneumonea and strep throat. Things are going to be on hold for a few days, but I still haven't picked up the pop and I did lose 1 more pound. I was given a steroid shot and we all know what that means, I'll gain a few pounds back. Another bad thing is, I'm coughing so bad and can't walk much, but I'm not going to let it discourage me. It'll be business as usual in a few days.

I'm going to do my food diary for both days, yesterday and today.

Breakfast yesterday
Special K
equal
2% milk
multi-vitamin and B12
water, water, water

Lunch
peanut butter sand
1/2 cp milk

Dinner
low fat egg noodles cooked
in chicken broth
crystal light
water water water''

Today
Breakfast and lunch were the same as
yesterday

I had an in between snack of pretzels

Dinner
low fat chicken noodle soup
saltine crackers
crystal light
water water water

Until later

Day 12

Today has been another long day. I had class this morning then a few things I needed to get done. My son had a ballgame this evening. Unfortunately we lost this one. After I got the kids to bed, I worked on some homework and watched my favorite show "Castle". My allergies are working on me today, so I've not felt the best in the world, but I'm still trying to keep focused on what I need to do. I would consider yesterday a sort of cheat day. In my last blog I mentioned a birthday dinner for my sister. I know you've heard the term comfort food, well that's the kind of dinner we had for her. Soup beans, corn bread, fried potatoes, mustard greens, pork tenderloin, & bbq ribs. Yes, I ate dinner and it was delicious. I kinda saved up for the dinner which was probably not the best idea, but it didn't make me feel as guilty. I still haven't broke over and had any Diet Dr. Pepper. Food diary for yesterday consisted of.

Breakfast
Special K
equal sweetner
2% milk
multi-vitamin and B12

Lunch
I skipped to save for dinner

snack
a handful of pretzels
crystal light

dinner Here's the kicker
1 plate.
small piece of cornbread with
a laddle of soup beans poured over top
1 scoop of fried potatoes
1 scoop of mustard greens
1 sliced of pork tenderloin
3 green onions
1 pickled beet

dessert
1 small piece of birthday cake
1 scoop of chocolate ice cream

water, water, water

Yes, I cheated....I deserved a reward for my accomplishment. I'm back on track and excited about my next weigh in. There have been a few people who have told me I'm inspiring them. I just want to let you know that I'm just looking to be healthy and I appreciate everyone's support.
Until later.

Day 11

I'm a little late blogging today because it's been a very busy day. Yesterday was my sister's birthday and we decided to have a nice dinner for her. So, today I treated myself because I deserve it every now and then. I still haven't broke over yet with Diet Dr Pepper, but I did make a new discovery today. Crystal light has a strawberry with energy that has a small amount of caffeine in it to keep down those caffein withdrawl headaches. My son's ball team won their game and my son played catcher the whole game. He was awesome!! After the game the kids went with their dad for the day and I got alot of homework done. Let's get on with the food diary for yesterday.

Breakfast
Special K
equal sweetner
2% milk
multi-vitamin and B12
16 oz bottle of water

Lunch
1/2 peanut butter sand
crystal light

Dinner (was a treat)
Homemade pizza!!
2 small slices
lean ham
mushrooms
green pepper
black olives
low fat mozz cheese
crystal light

water, water, water

No snack needed!!
Until later

Day 10

Yesterday was a very busy day. I went to Hillbilly Days early to work in a booth for school. Funny thing is, I walked around for over an hour and never found it. Got my exercise for the day. My sister came over and we hung out til the kids got home from school. I picked up my grandbaby and took him and the kids out to eat before my son's ballgame. WE WON!! After the game, I picked up the gang and was their DD for the night. We celebrated my sister's birthday and my cousin's birthday. Today, my son has a ballgame then I'm coming home to do homework. and clean out my van. Enough of that, here's my food diary for yesterday

Breakfast

Special K
Equal sweetner
2% milk
multi-vitamin & B12
16 oz water

Lunch

98% fat free hot dog
hot dog bun
crystal light

snack
peanut butter sand
crystal light

dinner 1/2 grilled chicken sand
from Burger King
16 oz water

snack
6 triscuts
16 oz water

water, water, water

Everyone enjoy this beautiful day!
Until Later..

Day 9

Very excited!! Yesterday, I weighed in and had lost 6 1/2 lbs. since Monday, that makes 11 1/2 lbs total so far. Big accomplishment. I had lunch with the girls at a Mexican restaurant and made good choices. Water w/lemon instead of Dt. Pepsi. Times like that is when you miss your pop, but I didn't fold.
Today, I'm working a booth at Hillbilly Days in Pikeville for school, ballgame at 5:30, then out with the gang to celebrate my sis's and my cousins birthdays. It's gonna be a long day, but a good day. Food Diary for Yesterday.

Breakfast

Special K
equal sweetner
2% milk
16oz bottle of water
multi-vitamin & B12

Lunch

Baked potato
1/2 of 1 pk butter
side salad w/fat free dressing
a few chips with pico de galo
water w/lemon

snack
1 sm apple
crystal light

dinner
lite egg noodles cooked
in fat free chicken broth
w/corn starch to thicken
NO cream!!
8oz 2% milk

Each day gets easier and when you step on those scales and it shows you what you have accomplished it makes it even better. Still working on the smoking.

Until later.

Day 8

WOOT! WOOT! 1 week down the rest of my life to go.
Motivation: to empower you and set you on track to achieving your goals.
Focus: A center of interest or activity.

Ok, enough with the vocabulary lesson. Staying focused and motivated are my obstacles I WILL conquer. That may sound a little corny, but I have to remember that this is the only life I have and I have to make it the best I can. Yesterday was a great day. After school and errands, my oldest daughter, my grandson, and my sister and her family came over and we fixed a great dinner together. The weather was beautiful and we were able to let my grandson get outside and explore. Today is going to be another beautiful day. Food Diary for yesterday.

Breakfast

1 pop tart (should have been Special K)
1 16 oz bottle of water
Multi-vitamin & B12

Lunch
Peanut butter sandwich
Crystal Light

Dinner (YUM)

Pork Loin stir fried in olive oil and garlic.
Veggies added to stir fry.
Onions
Green Pepper
Carrots
Sno Peas
Over White Rice
Roasted Sweet Potato

Water, Water, Water!!!

Dinner was amazing and healthy and the best part was everyone got to sit down and enjoy it together. I love my family.

My Goal for this week is to stop smoking. I'll let you know how that goes.
Until Later.

Day 7 ( 1 whole week!! )

Day 7, exactly 1 week ago today I began making changes in my life. So far, I have stopped drinking Diet Dr. Pepper and I have lost 5lbs. I know 5lbs doesn't sound like alot, but at night when I sat down after a long day, I noticed that my ankles had grew twice their size and I had alot of trouble breathing. For the past 4 days, I have not experienced any swelling and I can still breath while tying my shoe.

Yesterday was an exhausting day. Mom had a dr's appt that didn't go very well. With her long list of health problems, the dr added 1 more. This one, of course, is very dangerous for her, as well as, 4 others. I hate seeing her in the shape that she's in when I'm only 18 years behind her. She stays depressed and that must be very difficult just to get out of the bed in the mornings. I can't and I won't let myself get in that shape. It's up to be to make these changes and I'm going to do it. Daily Food Diary for yesterday.

Breakfast

Special K
equal sweetner
2% milk
multi-vitamin and B12
1 16oz bottle of water

Lunch

Peanut butter sand.
16oz bottle of crystal light

snack

skipped

Dinner

1 cp of tomato soup
1 98% fat free hot dog
1 hot dog bun
1 cp milk

2 more bottles of crystal light
and a glass of water before bed.

I still need to get some veggies and fruits added to my diet for fiber and vitamins. My activity level needs to increase and I believe that will be much easier now that I'm not have shortness of breath. My goat set for week 2 is to quit smoking. Prayers will be welcome and needed.

Until later....

Day 6

I'm entering Day 6 and alot is going on today. I'm a little late eating breakfast, so I'm going to keep this post short. Yesterday's Food Diary.

Breakfast

pop tart
1 16oz bottle of water
multi-vitamin and B12

Lunch

Garden Salad
Oil and Vinegar dressing
1 baked potato (no butter)
1 glass of water w/lemon
6 club crackers

Snack

10 wheat thins
16 oz crystal light
Handful of white grapes

Dinner (not so good)
was skipped. Not acceptable
Have to do better today!

I'm taking my Mom to the doctor today. Later, my son has baseball practice. Great opportunity to walk around the park, gotta remember to wear my walking shoes. Try to plan a better dinner tonight vs last night.

This is all about making changes and it's up to me to make those changes. No one else has the power!!!

Until Later.

Day 5

Day 5 and still no Diet Dr. Pepper. Yes, I can do this. My biggest struggle so far is working in time to walk or exercise. I've got to work on time for myself instead of everyone else. I'm also having a few issues in figuring out what to eat. Around here everyone wants to eat at different times and that makes it a little rough to plan anything. Also, no one except my little girl is interested in making any changes, which is another obstacle I need to conquer. Food Diary for yesterday

Breakfast

Special K
equal sweetner
2% milk
multi vitamin & B12
1 16oz bottle of water

Lunch
98% fat free hot dog
1 hot dog bun
1 cp of soup
1 160z bottle of water

snack
1 tbls peanut butter
1 slice of bread
Crystal Light

dinner

1 bowl of pinto beans
1 sm piece of corn bread
Crystal Light

2 more bottles of water in the evening.

Today was kind of busy for me. I had class this morning and met my daughter this afternoon for lunch and watched my grandson for a few hours. I got home around 4 and did some homework. The kids and I went to my oldest daughters and babysit for my Grandson until 10:30. When I got home and put the kids to bed I took an exam online. It's after midnight and past my bedtime. Until tomorrow. Goodnight.

Day 4

Today is day 4 and things keep looking brighter. I still haven't had any Diet Dr. Pepper and I'm so proud of myself. Yesterday was a beautiful day and maybe that helps with motivation. I've always heard that winter time gives people the blues, maybe there is some truth to that. My food diary for yesterday.

Breakfast

Special K
equal sweetener
2% milk
16oz bottle of water
Multi-vitamin & B12 (Don't forget your vitamins)

Lunch
98% fat free hot dog on a bun w/mustard
1 small bowl of bean w/bacon soup
16oz bottle of crystal light

snack
1 slice of white bread
1 tbls peanut butter

Dinner (was odd)
1 egg
3 small canned biscuits
1 tbls apple butter
1/2 cp 2% milk

In between meals I consistantly drank
water and crystal light

My choices could have been better yesterday because I didn't eat any veggies or fruits which may have been the reason for my leg cramps this morning.

Today is Sunday and another beautiful day. I took the kids to Sunday School and now they are outside riding their bikes. I have a homework to do and I plan on fixing a nice low fat healthy dinner for everyone. I'm going to try to squeeze in a walk later. More tomorrow.

Day 3

Survived Day 2 and half way through Day 3. Today has had a few obstacles. My son had a baseball game and pictures today at 10am. My van wouldn't start and I couldn't get him there. Thankfully, I was able to reach his dad and he came and got him and took him to his game. My brother-in-law came and got it started, but I still missed his game. Pretty bummed over that. On a better note, the weather is beautiful and I believe I'll go for a walk today. Ok, here's my food diary for yesterday.

Breakfast

Special K cereal

equal sweetener

2% milk
Mult-vitamin and B12 (Don't forget your vitamins!!)

Lunch

Garden Salad w/oil &vinegar
6 club crackers
grilled chicken breast
baked potatoe w/1tsp margarine

Snack

Beef jerky

Dinner

1 slice white bread
1tbls peanut butter

3 160z bottles of water
6 glasses of crystal light

No too bad if I do say so myself. I spent a big part of my day with my oldest daughter and my gorgeous grandson. I worked at the concession stand at the ball field. Went to the grocery store, then home. I had the kids in bed by 10 and 11:15 for myself.

Well, I'm gonna close for now and get busy.

Day 2

I survived my first day. I'll begin with my food diary of yesterday.

Breakfast

2 poached eggs
2 slices of 35 cal wheat bread
1/2 cp or oj
2 bottles of water

Lunch

1 cp of bean w/bacon soup
turkey/ham w/ let & tom on
35 cal wheat bread
no cheese
16 oz crystal light

snack

tbls peanut butter
160z crystal light

Dinner

grilled boneless/skinless chicken breast
roasted veggies
potatoe
sweet potatoe
tomatos
fresh mushrooms
1 roll
16 oz crystal light




Not too bad and if you'll notice...NO DIET DR PEPPEP...woot woot!
Today is going to be pretty busy, I'm going to my oldest daughters to watch my grandson, then I'm off to the ballfield to work the concession stand. My goal for today is to drink alot of water and stay focused. This is not a diet, this is my get healthy plan.

My Motivation

No Diet Dr. Pepper

When I was talking about change, one of those changes is to give up carbonated drinks. Good bye Diet Dr. Pepper, I'll miss you. :( Crystal light is my new best friend and I'm introducing her to some other friends that will be staying around a while. As I continue, I hope to find new alternatives to things I have loved. Anyone with recipes,they would like to share, that are healthy and not so fattening would be greatly appreciated. Until later.....

Changes Begin

Have you every woke up one morning and decided your going to start a diet? I believe if you are a woman, you have. Spring is here and allergy season has begun. For me, seems like the whole past year has been allergy season. I have caught everything coming and going and I am going to lay the blame on my health.

You see, I am a 43 year old mother of 3 with one grandson. I am significanly overweight, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, high tryglycerites, beginning stages of neuropathy, and bad knees. Oh, and did I mention, I have been a smoker for over 20 years? Boy, when you write it down like that, you think, "Go ahead and dig my grave now." NO! Changes need to be made, I have alot to live for.

With this blog I'm going to keep a journal with a food diary, activity diary, and my stress levels. I haven't been very good at checking my sugars like I should, but it's time to start. My Mom has very bad health and that has made her a very old 61 year old. Mom, this is for you!!