Lose Weight and Save the Earth

I came to a wonderful realization today. As I endeavor to lose weight I am also helping to save the earth! Not only am I getting smaller bit by bit but I am also reducing my "footprint" in the process. Ha!

How is this possible you ask?

Well, one of the habits I have adopted in my weight loss journey is to drink a TON of water everyday...a gallon to be exact. Needless to say, I have to go to the bathroom a hundred gazillion times a day.

I have found that I try to get through my errands as fast as possible and then I go straight home and I stay home. I just don't like to go potty in public restrooms if I can avoid it especially now that I have a wiggly toddler.

So, I am saving the earth by reducing how much I run my car and that saves energy, reduces fuel consumption, and reduces exaust in the air.

Who would've thought drinking so much water and having to pee every minute could do so much good!!

Slow But Fairly Steady

It has been about four weeks now since I started my journey in weight loss and if you look to the right you will see that I've lost six pounds so far. I've gone from 176 to 170. I was really hoping to have crossed over into the 160's this morning but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I only lost one pound this past week and I blame it completely on PMS and how our bodies just LOVE to hold onto every ounce it can for dear life. I ate very healthfully and I worked out like crazy and yet it was only a pound. But, that is OKAY!!! One pound is much better than zero and even better than gaining.

The trip to Atlanta with Chris during his Insurance class was expected to be a setback because I was out of my normal routine and surroundings. I could've gone to the YMCA that was walking distance away but I kept telling myself that it was just too cold to make the trek over there. I was dreading coming home and stepping up on the scale. But, I was extremely happy to find out that I had gained nothing. I didn't lose, but I didn't GAIN either. I was jumping up and down after that. I think it was the walking up and down all the stairs after Caleb that saved me.

This week was difficult because I craved everything that wasn't in my pantry. I ate more apples than I would like. I think apples have lost their intrigue. That's too bad because they do such a great job filling me up during that mid-afternoon slump. Chris and I also had a volunteer appreciation banquet to attend on Friday and the catered was Mmmm-mmmm GOOD. It was very hard to control portions. Then we went to Sonic after church because I was craving a cheeseburger and don't forget our weekly trip to McD's for our Sunday morning family date. Ugh! The one thing I did really well this week is that worked out FIVE times and I worked out hard on the elliptical machine at the YMCA each time. That's how I got that pound squeezed out after all. ;-)

It is now a new week and I have a clean slate. I will eat right, drink my water, and exercise like a maniac. Those pounds better run away in fear because I'm coming after them.



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Expanding Into Wheat and The Bread Machine

I LOVE baking bread as anyone who reads this blog knows for sure. I love the mixing, the kneading, the rising, and the baking. I love it all. Not only is it yummy, but it is also quite therapeutic for me. There is just something about the process that makes me feel so good.

For the longest time, I've been making Amish White Bread because it was the first recipe I made from scratch and with my own hands (no bread machine). It is great for sandwiches, cinnamon toast, eggs-in-a-basket, etc. I've been making the dough for awhile and freezing it.

But, recently I've come to learn the time-saving beauty that is the bread machine. Don't get me wrong. I am still a "bread shape" purist. I don't like the shape the bread machine makes when it bakes your bread. I like the longer, more sandwich bread shape. A long time ago I learned from Crystal that you can use your bread machine to mix, knead, and rise your dough but then use a traditional bread pan to bake it in the oven. SCORE!! I still love, love kneading the bread but this time saving method is a winner in my household right now.

The first recipe I've made using the bread machine method is a Whole Wheat bread that I got from Crystal too. I am on a journey towards healthier eating and weight loss these days and I figured that I really need to open my mind to whole wheat bread especially since Caleb eats a sandwich of some sort just about every day. I tried the recipe yesterday and it really turned out great. Chris liked it and I think it will become our staple everyday loaf of bread for now.

Here is the recipe:

Homemade Wheat Bread

1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees F.)
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons oil
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole-wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons dry yeast

Put all ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed. Set on dough cycle. When dough cycle is finished, take dough out and shape into a loaf in a greased bread pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

ENJOY!!!

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Motivation That Hurts...And Works

Chris emailed me earlier this week offering me some motivation to shed the pounds. We upgraded my life insurance policy recently and Chris said that because of my weight it would be $70 extra a year. Ugh! I try so hard to save the family money every day and here I am costing the family money. However, I can get that $70 back if I lose the weight within the next twelve months. Chris needs to find out what that number is and that will be my new goal or I will keep my current goal (26 pounds) whichever is higher.

As for my weigh-in today:

173!!! Total Loss So Far: 3 pounds! Yeah!!

Have a Happy Sunday!

Darn You, Accountability!!

You all know now that I have a goal to lose about 25 pounds. I haven't set a goal date yet. I am plugging along pretty well except for the INSANE cravings I've been having for cookies and such. It doesn't help to watch the Food Network while you are on the treadmill.

Anywhoo, it turns out that Chris' business partner is also trying to lose some weight. We've communicated about our goals and I guess you could say we have become informal accountability partners.

This morning I was cozy in my comfy clothes working on a baby quilt when I got and email from Chris' partner. It basically said, "Have you gone to the YMCA today? Don't let a good Saturday go to waste. Make Time!" DARN HIM!! I was so content not going to the gym today UNTIL he wrote that email. So, I had to change my clothes and get to the YMCA before the Child Watch closed.

I have worked out today and it was great! Glad I went. But, I REFUSE to work out on Sunday. By Golly!

Here's a random question: If your weekly "splurge meal" tastes icky does it still count as a "splurge meal?" That happened to me last night and I felt so incredibly jipped. I know, I know. If it goes in your mouth, it counts. {SIGH} I just had to try. ;-)

Bringing Him Respect--Part Two

As you know from my previous post I am devoting much of my time during the day in ways that will Bring My Husband Respect. I started out primarily focusing on the house and how I spend my time during the day while he is at work. I came to the realization that I was squandering much of my time and I accumulated quiet a "homemaking debt." I have come a long way in my journey back home and I look forward to sharing some of the great ideas I have for the new year.

But, there was another area in my life that has been greatly neglected. Such a sensitive issue....my weight. Ugh! I was greatly blessed after having Caleb that I was able to pretty much lose all 30 pounds I gained with him rather quickly. I give all the credit to nursing him. The problem was that I was about 10-15 pounds overweight when I got pregnant. I blame that on being too cozy in my marriage and not watching myself closely enough. So, I came down to still being overweight and continued to not watch myself closely enough. The pounds have slowly crept back on and it is icky.

I have known for awhile that I need to lose weight but I never had the motivation or the desire to "Get It Done." Losing weight is hard work and I would so miss my cookies and ice cream. I kept putting it off. We have been ready to have another baby and we pray we will get pregnant soon. The idea of getting pregnant at this weight knowing I will probably gain another 30 pounds is quite scary. I would go into uncharted waters of weight-dom for me. Did that realization stop me from eating my cookies and ice cream? NOPE!

Finally, the other day I was driving to the church and I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me about my weight. I learned that Chris has been struggling with my weight for awhile. Ouch! I also realized that if I REALLY want to get pregnant I need to do what I can now to reduce my weight and become more healthy. As I drove I realized that being more mindful of my weight and health is something that will "Bring My Husband Respect." Since my body is not my own anyway, I need to take care of what is his to begin with. Gotchya! That was the one piece of motivation I needed to really get started. I vowed in the car that I would begin the journey towards a lighter me.

I found out later that my time in the car was just preparation for a conversation I had later with Chris. He confessed his struggles to me about my weight and I shared what I had already thought. He promised to support me the best way he can. He won't eat ice cream or cookies in front of me and he won't eat after 7 pm with me. He catches me "being good" and compliments me on it and is just serving as my accountability partner.

I officially weighed in on Sunday (Dec. 30) and Sunday will be my weekly weigh-in day. I am currently watching my portions, drinking tons of water, sworn off cookies (unless I've been extra good that day and even then only 1 or 2), and going to the YMCA as often as possible. I will "Diet Naked" here and be completely open and honest right here on the blawg.

So, here it goes!

December 30, 2007 --> 176 pounds


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