Cajun Girl

Last night I sat down and planed out meals for the next 2 weeks and made a 3 page grocery list of all the things I would need. So this morning my almost 2 year old and I went to the store..which was a project! But I got almost everything on my list except a couple of things that I'll have to go to another store for one day this week. While at the store I decided that I needed a vegetable steamer; which I used for lunch and and the squash and zucchini sure were good!

I'm not or ever have been real big on vegetables but since I'm doing Weight Watchers, I decided that I need to incorporate them more. (Because alot of them are 0 points.) So for lunch we had ham, corn casserole, and zucchini and squash; which worked out great because I filled up on the veggies.

For supper, I was kind of a different story. I didn't over do it...but I really thought about going back for a second plate. See...here's the thing...I'm from Louisiana..and in Louisiana, it's always about the food. Someone is always having a fish fry, BBQ, cook out, boiling crawfish and so on. Well today, my sister had a cookout which was pork roast, rice & gravy, green beans, beer, and a bonfire. So for those who have no idea what rice & gravy look like here is a picture ---------------->
So not healthy, but it's what I grew up with and how we eat here. It may look nasty, but it is sooo good! But, like I said~I did not over do it. I had 1/4 cup of rice, some gravy, 3oz piece of pork, and some green beans.


My totals for today:

• Daily used: 44
• Daily remaining: 0
• Weekly remaining: 40
• Activity earned: 0
• Activity used:0

**I did use some of my weekly points today; which I feel kinda bad about but that's what they are there for...right??

**I didn't get activity points for today but I think that pushing a full cart around Wal-Mart while holding a 30 pound little boy should count for something :)

~Thought for the day~

This is what I need to remember the next time I want that 2nd plate!

Fashion Friday

Today wasn't as great as a day as I have been having. I am trying really hard to stay up beat and positive but today was just one of those days. Today I've thought about how far I have to go..how much I have to loose..how much less I have to eat...how much more I have to move.

~Just ~

~Take A Deep Breath ~

~And Remember~

So, again today while I was going through and reading up on some blogs I cam across Chrystal's. She does Fit Friday, which she pots pictures of cute clothes on Fridays to give her something to look forward to...So I was like~I want to do that too, but mine will be called Fashion Firday. (And if you know me, you know that I know nothing about fashion and I'm usually in scrubs everyday except weekends so I apologize now if I don't have the best taste.)

This entire outfit comes from Lane Bryant

This is Chrystal's blog if you want to check it out: http://chrystalsnewweigh.blogspot.com/2012/01/fit-friday-4.html

My totals for today:

• Daily Used: 35
  
• Daily Remaining: 0
  
• Weekly Remaining: 49
  
• Activity Earned: 3
  
• Activity Remaining: 9
  

**Activity points came from walking 1.6 miles this am**

Over all in the eating part I did really well today, I used all my points for the first time!!

~Thought for the day~

No More Excuses

Today was an all together GREAT day! I did better on trying to eat my points worth of food; which I'm glad because looking back at yesterday... before supper it was almost like I was starving..and this morning it was like I hadn't eaten enough last night and couldn't wait to fix breakfast!

My totals for today:

• Daily used: 33
  
• Daily remaining: 3
  
• Weekly remaining: 49
  
• Activity earned: 6
  
• Activity remaining: 6
  

Today, while reading through all the blogs that I follow, I came across Chrystal's blog about the Fitbit. I had never heard of it before today, but it seems like a pretty cool little gadget to have!

Here are some of the things that Chrystal explained about it & if you want to visit her blog for the whole thing, her website can be found at the bottom.

FEATURES:

• Steps (The Fitbit Ultra accurately tracks your activity all day long, counting every step you take.)
• Distance (See how many miles (or km) you walk heading to the coffee shop, to lunch, or just around the house.)
• Calories Burned (See how your activity translates into actual calories burned.)
• Floors Climbed (Fitbit Ultra includes an altimeter to track how many floors or hills you climb throughout the day.)
• Flower (Your flower will grow and shrink, depending on how active you've been lately.)
• Clock (With the time at your fingertips, you can work out and still know when you need to be home.)
• Stopwatch (Hold down the button for 2 seconds to time an event, such as a walk, run, or a sleep period.)
• Greeting (Give your Tracker a fun name to easily identify yours vs. your spouse's.

WHERE TO WEAR IT:

• Pocket- Clip your Tracker on your pocket for easy access throughout the day, or slip it inside for protection.
• Waist- The waist is the optimal position to wear your Tracker. A belt holster is included for thicker belts.
• Bra- Women often find the center of the bra to be the most secure and discreet position.
• Wrist (when sleeping)- Slip it into the included Fitbit wristband at night, and find out about your sleep patterns.

http://chrystalsnewweigh.blogspot.com/

So for supper today, I tried my very first Weight watcher recepie from pinterest.

It was pretty yummy! 1/2 cup is only 2pts!
The only thing that I did different is that I cooked them in a rice pot instead of the oven. I'm sure if I would have done them in the oven, they would have been crispier but they were still awesome. If you want to try the recipe, here is the site:
http://www.laaloosh.com/2011/01/24/ranch-roasted-red-potatoes-recipe/
~If you want to do it in a rice pot like I did, follow all the directions except of course but it in a rice pot (make sure to put no-stick spray all inside the pot) and add 2 cups of water (2 cups of water may seem like a lot but there will not be any water left by the time it is finished cooking).

Thought for the day:

~No More Excuses for this girl~

Weigh in Wednesday

After signing up with Weight Watchers yesterday, I decided that I want my weigh-in's on Wednesdays. With that being said I am very, Very excited to announce that I am down to 228. Which means that I have lost 4 pounds since Sunday and an all together 25 pounds since I began blogging in 2010.

When I put my weight this morning inside the tracker on the Weight Watcher web site it informed me that I have lost a total of 10% of my body weight. This of course goes back to my weight of 253 pounds back in November of 2010 when I had joined Weight Watchers for a very short while (but it kept all my information).

Another thing that the tracker told me was that I am losing weight faster that recommended. I think that is because of my 4 pounds since Sunday. But the way I see it is: I'm a BIG girl with lots to lose!

One of the articles it had me read (because I am losing weight faster than recommended) is Making Your Points Plus Budget Work for You. It said:

If you are losing more than 2 pounds a week consistently here are a few things to help stabilize because the healthy weight loss range is 0.5-2 pounds a week:

• If you're not using any weekly allowance or only a small portion of it, start adding a few to your day. use them for treats, for larger portions, or for regular versions of any light foods you've been eating.
  
• If you're earning activity points but not swapping them for food, consider eating a little more, especially if you're earning more than 4 a day, extra food can give you more energy.

After reading that article, I am a little confused. So

I HAVE to use my weekly allowance and activity points? Yesterday I used 30 and had 5 left over with an additional 3 points for actives. Which, I have to admit...I could have used a little snack after supper (before bed) because by the time I went to bed my stomach was growling. So I'm not really sure I am doing all of this Weight Watchers stuff correctly so if anyone following is doing it also, I'd appreciate a little help. :)

My totals for today:

• Daily used: 26
  
• Daily remaining: 9
• Weekly remaining: 49
  
• Activity earned: 3
• Activity remaining: 3

**Activity points came from walking 1.6 miles this am**

~So after discussing some things with my friend, I may need to up my point intake. Instead of just a tomato for snack, maybe have pretzels and tomato..I'm not real sure yet...but hopefully one of these days I will get used to getting my points.

Thought for the day:

How many times have we all said "Someday"...Someday I'll start my diet..Someday I'll go for a walk...Someday I'll cook that..Someday I'll eat healthier...Someday I'll go scuba diving...Someday I'll go parasailing...BUT SOMEDAY IS NOT A DAY OF THE WEEK!! So it's time to start doing~TODAY!!

TODAY~I will do well on my diet~I will walk~I will cook that something special~I will eat healthier and make better food choices~I will go scuba diving and parasailing (not today though because I have to work)

A couple of days ago I had posted a picture of my husband and I on our Cruise, but I finally got a better one!!

November 2011 Cruise

5 Year Anniversary

Something New

Today, I took a big leap and signed up with Weight Watchers online. I've tried it in the past but just didn't stick to it or track the way that I should have. But this time it WILL be different!! This will be my first time on the Points Plus System. That being said, I have to learn some things all over again and the website has really changed so it may take me awhile to get into the swing of things.

This is my Weight Watcher Plan:

• Daily Points Plus Target: 35
• Weekly Points Plus Allowance: 49
  

Today was a really good day; I hope that everyday will be this easy for me~but I know I will have some rough days, but it sure would be nice :)

This is my totals for today:

• Daily used: 30
• Daily remaining: 5
• Weekly remaining: 49
• Activity earned: 3
• Activity remaining: 3
  

**Activity points came from walking 1.6 miles this am**

When I signed up I put that I want my weigh-ins on Wednesdays..so tomorrow will be my official first weigh in on Weight Watchers and then every Wednesday from then on. But I am sort-of excited to see if I have lost any weight since I have been back to blogging the past 3 days!

And I must say that I am a MAJOR scale junkie. I obsess over the scale. I know...stupid right? But sometimes I can't help it! Sometimes I want to weight my self everyday to see if everything I am doing is actually paying off or if it is just all for nothing~but I know that is not the attitude to have and my husband and best friend fuss me all the time for doing it! So on my goals for 2012 I want to add~I will only weigh myself once a week..on Wednesdays!

2012 Goals

There are so many things that I hope to accomplish in 2012 that I'm not sure where to even start. I want to be healthier and I want to be a better wife and mom..

Here is a break down of my goals that I hope to accomplish:

1. Eat less: I've been doing ok in this department, but I've been thinking about joining weight watchers to help me with this~just so that I can track the foods that I eat and from what I hear it is really easy to use.
2. Move more: Up unto 2 months ago I was waking up every morning Monday-Firday and hitting the gym at 4:30! Then things began happening (LIFE) and I just stopped going and it has been so hard for me to get back in the habit. But I HAVE got to do it!
3. Live Life: There are so many times that I have had a tendency to sit on the side lines instead of enjoying things with my family. I need to jump in there with them! Play, laugh, have fun...and don't be afraid to be laughed at.
   
4. Speak up: Stop holing stuff in! I need to talk about things when they are bothering me instead of waiting until I'm about to explode!
   
5. Believe: I need to believe in myself!
6. Lose weight: As badly as I want to lose weight, I know I need to do it the healthy way..so instead of aiming for 5+ pounds a week, I'll be more realistic: 2 pounds a week is my goal.

I also want to be able to fit comfortable in this dress:

This is a size 18 dress..that doesn't exactly fit the way that it should, though it is getting better, it is still too tight..my goal is to fit into it by Valentine's Day

This was September 2011

This was October 2011 (a little better)

I have all the support a girl could ask for. My husband believes in me so much~that I some times wonder if he was me mixed up with someone else. I also have a great support system at work. I just need to believe in myself and the sky will be the limit!

HELLO 2012

It's hard to believe that is has been over a year since my last blog post. I started this blog as an aide to help me lose weight, but slowly it just became too much to keep up with. When I started this I weighed 253 and now I'm down to 232 pounds! That's not too bad, could be better, I admit..but I'll take the 21 pounds!

So here is what 2011 was like for me:

My Baby Boy turned 1 in February

My Oldest turned 10 in May (and had to get a Mohawk)

Family Vacation to Tennessee

First Year playing Pee-wee football

Halloween~The Big Bad Wolf and Little Pig

I became a Nanny for the first time October 27th

My husband and I celebrated our 5yr anniversary in Nov by taking a cruise

My Boys with Santa
My little family~Christmas 2011

So that is pretty much 2011 in a nut shell. My goal this year is to move a lot more and eat a lot less. I know I can do this if I put my mind to it! It's time to put my gym membership to good use!!