Ugh!! How the heck did I do that? Well still not alot better, so called my dr and told him my symptoms, so he put me on Augmentin. I want to get back to my workouts, but have been soooo wiped out! Ear hurts like you know what, he said my lymph node under my jaw is all infected, causing the sore throat and ear.

Hoping to feel well enough by Wednesday to start kicking butt again. Doing a little better on the eating, more in control today.

How are you all?

I sure loved being here more this last weekend, will try for more of that every chance I get.

Well, please pray for my daughter Holly again, she had a job interview today with B of A!!

And she may be moving in with her BF. I just want the best for her.

I am doing ok, my mood will be much better when I can work out, was kinda a big baby over the weekend.

You know what Ted just did? LOL. He knows I am a sucker when it comes to cute, furry little kittens, and he brought in the neighbors, little fuzzy grey and white kitten just to cheer me up. I told him we can’t have another cat, and he said I know buthe was just so cute and sitting there crying, so I had to pick him up and bring him to see you.

Ok, AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I melted and was hard for me to give the kitty back, lol

Ok, on my purchases, so far I have gotten my bamboo steamer (googling for instructions, lol), my patapar paper to cookveggies in, my spelt flour, my spice canisters, my big canisters! I am getting all set!!! I did alot of cooking again over the weekend, as much as my energy would allow.

I still love eating this way. Tonite for dinner I had a baked chicken breast, half a baked sweet potato, some home cooked green beans.

Then for snack I had some Ak Mak crackers and hummus!! Yummo!!

Then I took my Augmentin(horsepill) I hope it works fast.

Anyways, this is my ramble, and I just had to share! Love you guys!

Good morning buddies. Well, still not feeling real well. But this not working out is VERY detrimental to my moods. I think I will try some yoga today, gotta do SOMETHING. I did make the stew, cornbread and greenbeans yesterday, froze the beans. The stew and cornbread were from Dee’s book, and was awesome. Jeez, I am doing alot of cooking lol. Today, I need to bake some chicken to have for the week, and boil some eggs and make my muffins. Planning on making something with lean hamburger later, and a salad.

Well had my smoothie this morning, and was doing ok till Ted made biscuits and gravy, well, I HAD to have one. He was feeling sorry for me being sick I think, but this is not good, been slipping since I have been sick, ate way too much cornbread last nite, ugh. Need to get back on track.

Well this morning I woke up like a bear. I was grumpy, two of my best friends are out of town, and these are people I talk to alot. So was feeling lonely and depressed, and I kind of took it out on Ted. NOT the right thing to do. So I had to apologize. I was laying on the couch last nite, in a real pity party, missing my mom( I always do when I am sick) and just plain being a baby. See? I am human and I have my moments. So what can I do to get myself back on track today? I think some yoga will help, even if it is the beginner part. I still feel a bit feverish, so gonna take it light.

Enough of my whine, how are you all??

Still hot and sunny here, looking forward to fall.

Oh and has anyone had that swine flu? Ted thinks I have it, I sure hope not.

Love you guys!

First of all the book:

Online Shop

And the cook book. I love this, has totally changed my way of eating.

Today, making her irish stew and cornbread.

Well, I did lose 2 pounds! REALLY happy about that, but now I am sick, not sure with what. I have aches, weakness and 1 sided sore throat and my ear hurts on that side. Low grade fever, too. So I think no workout today at least, gonna rest.

The other exciting news! I got my new canisters and bamboo steamer! I will be using those alot!!

How are you all? Working out and taking good care of yourselves? I have been really focusing on Jillian’s Troublezones, dvd. I can see my body changing for the better. It recommends doing it 5 days a week, so I am trying it. Just laying off today due to being sick. Jillian says no work out with a fever, so I am respecting it.

Doing alot of cooking today, got green beans to cook and freeze, and making the stew and conrbread. I feel like my mom, lol, with all this cooking and I am finding I love it! Will be reorganizing my kitchen too with the new cannisters. Plus getting some rest in, I think. I want to be well at least by Monday.

oh and I found an exciting website about women athletes over 50. So who says age has to stop you?http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/index.php

Any how, thought I would pop on while I had the chance, have a great Saturday and love you all!

Hi! Well after really putting forth my best efforts on the food, I think I will have a loss this week! I peeked this morning, couldn’t help it. I was sure I had gained, I have been eating so well, cooking like a fiend, and not being hungry, well I lost!!

I am so happy, the recipes are fabulous, and the lady who wrote the book is great. I had a question and posted on her forum on her website, and she got back to me right away with the answer!! Very cool.

Well, the not so great news, I am battling a sore throat and ear. I hope it is just allergies, on herbal tea tonite.

Oh and still no diet soda!! Woo hoo!!

Ok, i got another great article sent to me and if has bugged me to post it, so here goes:

Called “Change Your Trajectory”

For those of you who wish to better your life, I have some good news. Even the smallest change in your thinking can initiate a ripple effect that will result in a totally new outcome. If you’ve been trying to change your life and are struggling with motivation, I say dial it back a bit and think smaller at the beginning. For example, think of NASA sending an exploratory probe to some distant planet. If the trajectory is off even slightly, they’ll totally miss the entire planet. That’s a perfect illustration of the power of incremental change! The same can be said about your thoughts when it comes to creating change in your life and realizing your dreams.Positive thought is the antidote for failure. I’m reminded of a definition of insanity that I heard years ago: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The truth is that even a small change in your thinking can create a big difference in your life. So what trajectory are your thoughts on today? Is it a thought trajectory that will help you reach your dreams, or will your current thought trajectory take you off course and cause your dreams to miss their mark? If your current thinking takes you on a flight path that’s directed at your goal, your potential of reaching that goal is very good. If, on the other hand your current thinking is taking you off course from your goal, well… Houston, we have a problem!

Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com

Like I always say “baby steps” Start small, dream big, and keep moving forward!

have an experiment that I would like you to try. It revolves around the concept of change, but with a twist. I want you to pick some habit that you’d like to change or stop. For example, maybe it’s starting to exercise, eating better, not smoking or looking for that better job. Whatever you choose, I would like you to commit to it for two full weeks. Now for the twist.

At the end of each day during these two weeks, I’d like you to look at yourself in the mirror and rate yourself from 1 (meaning not at all) to 10 (meaning very much) on the following:

I like myself.
I respect myself.
I am proud of myself.

I firmly believe that healthy change brings with it significant internal satisfaction. You can test my theory by participating in this two-week experiment. So pick something to change in your life for two full weeks, rank your self-image in the mirror daily and see if there’s any difference in your scores after the two weeks. Chaos Theory teaches us that even the smallest of changes can bring with it significant and monumental results. Are you up to this challenge today?

Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com

I challenge us all to do this.

Well my fridge is stuffed full and my cupboards and freezer, lol. Now I have to cook!!

I love it and am excited about this new way of eating.

Oh and 3 weeks of no diet soda!!!!

Hi ya buddies!! Well, I am so excited. I did it, I cleaned out my cupboards and got rid of alot of the processed junk!! I can’t beleive how much I had. Then I went on a shopping trip to Sprouts, I had a huge list. I just got the Plan D cookbook, and I went thru and made of list of stuff I needed for the recipes. I am so excited!! So I realized this month, the way our paychecks fall, that I didn’t have to pay rent with this one so I stocked up! Healthy meats, breads, cheese fruits and veggies!!! I am so pumped! Made a fresh fruit smoothie this morning and it was awesome! Already did my yoga too!!!

I have always wanted to eat this way. I had to really look for some of the stuff, but I did good. $300.00 at Sprouts(the checker said this was the highest bill she had ever rung up, lol) and then $119.00 at Walmart! Yeesh, but I am set for awhile.

So, how are you all? Hope you are having an awesome Sunday!!! Love ya!!

I am discovering there are parts of me that do not get the love they deserve. I am constantly berating myself for my tummy bulge, and flabby triceps to name a couple. I know I am not the only one who feels like this from the blogs I see. So I got to thinking about it. Are we not healthier? So, we don’t look like models, does that make us any less worthy of love and respect? I think not. I would much rather be where I am now than a couple of years ago. If the price I have to pay for once being fat is some flab, well so be it. I will keep on working out and eating healthy to the best of my ability and thank God every day for my good health.

Here is an article for us to think about, talk about timing:

Boost Your Body Image

When you think of your body, what thoughts come to mind? Do you focus on what’s “wrong”? Do you feel embarrassed about your body? Like so many people who struggle with weight, you may find it difficult — or perhaps not even know how — to work toward a healthier relationship with your own body. But you can learn to accept and appreciate yourself.

A healthy lifestyle is about more than eating well and exercising — it is about accepting and embracing your body and treating it well. It’s not about waiting until you’ve reached some ideal weight or some particular goal before learning to notice what’s good about yourself and your body. After all, staying motivated requires that we celebrate every success. Maybe your clothes feel a little looser or you’re feeling better about the way you look — it’s important to notice all the steps along the way.

Remember, few people fit into or can ever obtain the supermodel standard of beauty. Yet, media images bombarding us with cellulite-free thighs, rock-hard abs, and a flat tummy distort our own body image and can leave us feeling inferior if we feel we don’t measure up.

This week, pay particular attention to the messages you send yourself about your body. Are they mainly negative? If so, practice replacing them with more self-accepting thoughts. Take a look in the mirror and find the things about your body that you like, and say that you like them out loud. Start thinking of your body as something special that deserves your great care and attention.

Ok buddies, WE ARE WORTHY, WE ARE BEAUTIFUL, AND WE LOVE OURSELVES!!

Say it with me!!

I am doing ok, have a neck and shoulder pain that I think is from stress, Ted promised to give me a massage when I get done here.

Love you guys!!

I found a new love, herbal tea!! Especially one I found flavored with goji berries!!! YUMMO!!

So I finally gave up diet soda, and you know, I really don’t miss it!

Back to my last blog. I read all of your comments and am taking them to heart. I know you all are right, but I have to do this in my own time and my own way. But I have my eyes open, trust me.

Love you all so much.

Doing better here on the eating front, back to my no processed foods.  I am loving it, and I do have more energy eating this way.

Well need to run and check emails, have a good one!

Wow, all the support you showed on my last blog blew me away.

Well the update is, Ted came to me yesterday wanting to talk. We talked for about 2 hours, I leveled with him and told him how I felt. He says he wants to make this work, and wants to get a job. He was a little hurt that I wasn’t talking about this with him, and I told him I had been afraid. He said “Why?” he brought up the fact that in the 5 years we have been together he has never laid a hand on me. I told him there were other kinds of abuse, being emotionally distant, withholding affection, not contributing financially, etc. He took it well, he says he does really love me and he promises to get busy looking for work. I told him even if it is part time, would be a start. So, first of many talks I think. But if he doesn’t do what he says then it will be time for him to go. I told him I am healthier now, and I respect and love myself and life was too short to be living like this. He agreed, so now I am looking for action.

Anyways, yeah I am an emotional eater, BIG TIME. I went to my friend Linda’s house on Friday nite with good intentions. But when I got there, she had this coupon from our work that entitled us to a free burrito at a place called Baja Fresh. And trust me these suckers are huge! I did get a chicken one, and the only bad thing was the flour tortilla and a very few chips. But it was huge, and I ate the whole thing! Then Saturday morning, Ted surprised me with breakfast in bed, granted they were whole wheat biscuits and gravy made with whole wheat flour, but still! And I ate it, the whole day was a bunch of unhealthy munching. I am just glad I do not keep junk in the house anymore, but I still ate too much. I did do my workout, but was so depressed I did not clean like I said I was going to. But our talk was more important, I think.

So today back on plan, will do my workout AND some cleaning after I get done here.

Had my bowl of Kashi with a fresh peach on it.

Gonna make chicken fajita’s tonite with whole wheat tortillas.

How are you all? Happy Sunday and I love you!

There I said it and will keep saying it. Nancy, you got me. Yes buddies, her blog was about me, I admit it. And I love her that she cares so much. She made a statement in her blog that haunts me “when I was dwelling in misery and loving the comfort of misery.” I think this is where I have been. Telling myself it is not so bad. See, I am one thing to you all, but another at home. My BF (?) and I live like roommates, he does not work, and well, does very little to enhance the relationship. Friends who love me have tried to tell me, but for some reason I defended him. Well they are right, I am NOT happy. I mean I am thrilled to have lost the wieght, and to be so healthy, and I am totally in love with all my buddies and my tribe of course. But I want more, yes I am gonna let it all out, please forgive me.

I want a man who will shoulder the responsibilities along with me. I want one who will comfort me, give me back rubs, massages, sit and cuddle with me. I am tired of this “ships passing in the night” thing and him acting like he can barely tolerate me. I hate it, and at the same time I love him? Is it love I wonder? Or my overpowering fear of being alone?

I know you all know I recently lost my parents, I feel all alone out here, my daughter lives in MA, and my other relatives are in MI and Ill. So I feel pretty isolated. Been clinging to Ted I think. True, he has his good points, and helped me with mom and dad, but now he is more of a drain, he plays on the computer all the time, and yes, I want and deserve more time with you all! Does that sound selfish? There are things going on here that I can’t discuss, but Nancy knows, and I love her for caring so much. He is not physically abusive, but emotinally and physically distant. I feel he has time for all his “friends” online, but not me. I have lived with him like this for a long time, and I am not happy. I am thinking it is time for him to shape up or ship out.

Anyways, I am really venting, I am scared and frustrated, and you know I write whatever I feel right here. So if this offends, pleae read on. I feel like I am in danger of losing what really has become life and breath to me, and that is all the love I have found in people like Nancy, Nicole, Lori, all of you.

I know in my head what I need to do, but yes I am scared, and tired of having relationships that don’t work. Another failure, I guess.

Anyways please pray that I wil find the strength and the wisdom to do whatever God wants me to do in this case.

Back to my diet: I cooked like a fiend last nite, I made my own salad dressing, meatloaf, huge salad and muffins all from Dee’s book!! I am loving this processed free eating, and I think I have more energy already!!

I have been hit by the cooking bug lately and I love it, made an awesome roasted fennel dish the other nite too.

Also, been working out steadily with Jillian and really seeing alot of muscle definition!

Well. I have rambled long enough, I love you guys.