Day 81 - Barb's Tip? Eat Your Wheaties!

Okay, maybe not Wheaties, per SE, but Barb's tip today is one of THE ALL TIME MOST IMPORTANT AND EXTREMELY ESSENTIAL TO YOUR OVER ALL SUCCESS tips EVER!

Ohhhh.

Sorry about the yelling.

BUT...

I am seriously serious and that's a fact. Here's your FAB Friday tip, go ahead, pay close attention!


Start Your Day With Breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast is the best way to provide fuel to your body for the day's activities.  Try a bowl of oatmeal with raisins and chopped apples or whole grain cereal with fresh blueberries or strawberries.  A quick breakfast could consist of a slice of whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter and a glass of juice.  Don't feel like eating in the morning?  Try a fruit smoothie made with yogurt, fruit and ice.  Sip on it throughout the morning.  Studies have shown that by eating a healthy breakfast, you'll be more alert during the day and will be able to think more clearly.

Barb says it, right there in the first line - "Eating a healthy breakfast is the BEST WAY to provide fuel to your body for the day's activities." 

The experts say it, Barb says it, I'm sayin' it, go ask your own doctor...

BREAKFAST is IMPORTANT! Perhaps the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is what gets your body going in the morning and helps keep you accountable all through the day.

Imagine skipping breakfast (and we've ALL done it a time or three). By mid morning your tummy is rumbling and depending upon where you are, sky's the limit when deciding what to feed your face.

BAD IDEA.

You can't make up for breakfast.

Trust me on that because for the last two weeks (at least) I've been testing that theory. Yah. I'm admitting another truth. Even though I know the importance of breakfast (I even wrote about it once, yah, go ahead, act surprised and then go read THIS), I have been seriously sucking at it lately. I start with tea in the morning - green tea - and THAT'S good. But then I might go several hours, depending upon when I wake up, before I have a bite.

OR...

I don't eat enough. Yah, a fat girl who doesn't eat enough. Please...it happens. I have been going back and forth between 2 hard-boiled eggs and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. NOT enough.

What I need to do is get back to what I was doing in the beginning. Eggs and Bacon. Granola, milk, and a banana - today's breakfast, by the way...

Remember? What we were ALL doing in the beginning and how it was WORKING!

It ALL starts with breakfast.

So go on, EAT. Your body will thank you, your scale will thank you, your BRAIN will thank you. And most importantly, you will be establishing good habits that will carry you on the rest of your new and improved and HEALTHY life.

Breakfast - YUM!

Till next time!

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Oh and yes, I did weigh in yesterday, even though I did not blog. I was feeling under the weather AGAIN and by the time I got to the computer, I just didn't feel like blogging. So here are TWO scale pics for your enjoyment.

Starting Weight: 306.4
Goal Weight: 150
Today's Weight: 271.6
Total Lost to Date: 34.8

10.4.12 Scale 'n' Toes!

10.5.12 Scale 'n' Toes!

I'm also not blogging tomorrow, as I have a PARTY to throw, WooHOO! But I will be here on Sunday. I'm thinkin' it's time you and I had a talk...

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 10.5 miles

Anna: 170 miles

Sandi: 112.84 miles

Debbie: 70 miles

Kathy: 114.57 miles

Stephanie: 146 miles

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My October Goals:

Walk 130 miles - 11.34 = 118.66 miles to go!
Swim 20 hours - the pool with re-open tomorrow, YAY!
Post Daily at My Fitness Pal - Yes!
Eat at home 25 dinners - 4 down, 21 to go!
Hit 50 pounds down - 15.2 pounds to go!
Reward with the much coveted compression suit - Only 15.2 pounds to go!

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Day 79 - Paparazzi Accessories is in the HOUSE!

Let's talk about jewelry! Oh I know, I normally talk about stuff related to my weight loss journey. But there is more to me than just a fat girl screaming to get OUT of this place.

And so today I want to share another cool facet of my life.

Paparazzi Accessories. 

Do you know about it? 

Paparazzi Accessories was founded in 2010 by two moms (and sisters) who were looking to bring fun, fashionable, and AFFORDABLE jewelry to their friends and family. Offering beautiful bling for a BEAUTIFUL $5 price was only the beginning.

Once people began to realize the AWEsomeness of these lovely pretties, they wanted to sell it too. And so began the journey of thousands of independent consultants nationwide.

Enter Deb (my business partner and dear friend) and San (that's me, in case you've forgotten) in late 2012. WE decided (and thanks to my Auntie) to become Paparazzi Accessories (independent) consultants too. We saw the value, the beauty, and the potential to ROCK the HOUSE with stunning pieces that literally fit every style you may have.

5 Dollar Diva Designs was born...

We just knew it was a no-brainer. I mean, seriously...when I go to purchase a new outfit, I want new bling. I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it (I leave THAT up to G when HE jewelry shops). With Paparazzi Accessories, I don't have to. I can buy what I want to match what I want and I gotta tell you: it's freakin' cool to have a jewelry store right in my own living room!

The reason I'm sharing all this with you today and I simply can't stand it any more. I'm EXCITED!

Why?

...you ask... Or did you? Well, I'm telling you anyway.

Saturday is Deb's and my first Open House and we are STOKED. We can't wait to share our wonderful inventory with 40-50 of our closest friends and family. We've got the bling, the displays are just about finished, the random drawing prize is ready, and yes, we're offering wine and snacks while you shop.

So...

if you're in the Portland area and wish to stop and shop, EMAIL me and I will tell you how to do that.

YES, this post is a bit sales-pitchy.

But the sincerity with which I share this is real. Not only do I get to wear this beautiful bling, I get to sell it too.

How darn lucky am I? 

No need to answer that. I know I am!

Want to see a few of our stunning pieces?

Yep, only $5 WITH the Earrings too!

Something for EVERYbody!

Funky and Silver and ONLY $5

Lovely, I know!

LOVE The Cuffs!

Beautiful Silver and YES, still only $5!

I wish I could show you all 300 pieces here but alas, THAT would be a ridiculously long post. You CAN go to Facebook and view our photo album, however. Just CLICK HERE and LIKE our - 5 Dollar Diva Designs - page and you too can see the beauty that is Paparazzi Accessories. If anyone is interested in learning more about how you can sell it too (or even simply to have a party) please don't hesitate to email me, either at the address above or through Facebook!

Cheers!
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And of course I weighed in today. Down .8 and that's a good thing, yay:

Starting Weight: 306.4
Goal Weight: 150
Today's Weight: 273
Total Lost to Date: 33.4

LOVE when my scale loves ME!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 10.5 miles

Anna: 170 miles

Sandi: 107.59 miles

Debbie: 70 miles

Kathy: 109.76 miles

Stephanie: 136.39 miles

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My October Goals:

Walk 130 miles - 6.09 = 123.91 miles to go!
Swim 20 hours - the heater is getting fixed today-ish, YAY!
Post Daily at My Fitness Pal - Yes!
Eat at home 25 dinners - 2 down, 23 to go!
Hit 50 pounds down - 16.6 pounds to go!
Reward with the much coveted compression suit - Only 16.6 pounds to go!

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Till next time!

Week 11 GONE - But it Left a Few Casualties...

OMG, I've gained. There is no getting around it. The scale doesn't lie, no matter how many times I step upon it and close my eyes and then cautiously open one eye to a squint and...

ANYWAY.

Ugh.

I've been hinting at the idiocy of my actions for several weeks now. I've just barely been able to keep it in check and NOW?

It's caught up with me and I have gained.

Let's discuss what's happening to derail me - True Confessions Time:

• I'm not keeping up on My Fit Pal - food and exercise? Yah, totally slacking!
• I'm enjoying DOWNTOWN way tooooooo much - that includes having a drink or three, way more than I should. Restaurant food 3 or 4 times a week certainly will send a fat girl spiraling but add alcohol and the spiral turns in to a cat 88 (if there is such a thing). 
• I'm averaging 3+ miles per day but I am NOT taking advantage of the awesome gym we have, right downstairs. And the swimming with Mags and cleaning I'm doing every other day is NOT cutting it. Can you say: Lazy, much?
• I'm lying to myself about needing a sweet or that I CAN have that sub roll since it's the middle of the day. FOOD is not my friend. And not because IT did anything wrong. But because I abuse it. I'm addicted to it and it is a fickle mistress more often than not for me. 

WOW!

And sooooo...

I have got to get it together. And I've been wailing about that for weeks now.

No More!

No more wailing that is. It's certainly not helping and NOW?????

Guess who decided to join the party?

Yah, you guessed it. Our favorite friend, my best Auntie.

Ugh.

I can't decide if I'm more disgusted with the fact that even while I continued to complain about the spiraling, I CONTINUED to do the things that would speed up the spiral...

OR...

If I just can't believe I could be so dumb as to purposely sabotage all the good work I'd done previously. Purposely. There is no excuse.

And SOOOOO...

I am starting at the beginning again. I am going back to what was working starting week one!

That includes blogging daily, weighing in daily, and generally remembering to hold myself accountable EVERY minute of the day. It's the ONLY way I can progress.

ALL that said?

Here's that number: 

Oh, Scale, I have done you WRONG...

Starting Weight: 306.4
Goal Weight: 150
Today's Weight: 273.8
Total Lost to Date: 32.6

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Now...if you remember, last Tuesday I was 275.2. So technically, I'm showing a loss. But I weighed in at 270.2 on Friday and THAT'S the number with which I am gaging the gain. It's a 3.6 pound gain. Wowza.

I KNOW that blogging AND weighing in daily was HUGELY instrumental in my early successes. As well, sticking to my goals. I will be sharing those goals, daily, too WITH a daily tally.

AND...

...back to My Fit Pal. Working out. And eating at home.

Whew.

Someone mentioned yesterday that we all should OWN October.

Guess what?

I now OWN October. Bring it...

Till next time!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 10.5 miles

Anna: 170 miles

Sandi: 104.85 miles

Debbie: 70 miles

Kathy: 109.76 miles

Stephanie: 129.29 miles

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My October Goals:

Walk 130 miles - 3.35 = 126.65 miles to go!
Swim 20 hours - the heater is getting fixed today, YAY!
Post Daily at My Fitness Pal - Yes!
Eat at home 25 dinners - 1 down, 24 to go!
Hit 50 pounds down - 17.4 pounds to go!
Reward with the much coveted compression suit - Only 17.4 pounds to go!

Day 77 - October is Here and Where are the Walking Girls?

I cannot believe that it's October already. It seems like just yesterday I was heading to Philly to try out for BL14. With a move and a new business venture and almost 40 pounds gone, lots has happened in the last (almost) 3 months.

Today I'm here to update our walking trips. I'm just going to share how many miles we each hit for September and then lay out a few of my goals (walking and otherwise) going forward. Let's get started...

Once upon a time there were six girls and they all decided to take a trip. Some wanted to head to Disney World in Florida, one just had to go to Italy (I don't blame her one bit), one was headed to Oregon, and one lucky girl just couldn't resist making the trek to Biggest Loser, Niagara.

Now, they all knew that it would take some time to get to their destinations. But determined and true, they each set out on their journeys to better health and happiness.

How many miles has each managed in one whole month?

Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 10.5 miles 

Anna: 170 miles 

Sandi: 101.5 miles

Debbie: 67 miles 

Kathy: 109.76 miles 

Stephanie: 127.99 miles 

WOW, girls. Way to GO, US!!! Almost 600 miles in just ONE month! WooHOO!

Anna currently leads in miles as she has been busy biking her way to Italy. At SOME point, she will have to lay down her wheels and get in the water...brrrr. I don't envy her that. 

Stephanie leads us all in walking miles and she is more than 1/3 of the way to the ranch in Niagara. I can't wait till she gets there because I have a feeling that she'll turn around and run all the way home again. AFTER she enjoys some grueling workouts on the ranch, of course. 

We have ALL stepped it up in September and I couldn't be prouder. Think for a moment, where you were in August...

...or even a year ago, today. 

Now, KNOW how far you've come and how proud you should be of all you've accomplished. 

Keep on walkin', girls. We've all got a ways to go but we are ALL so much further for simply having gotten up and gotten moving. 

YAY for us! Till next year, September; October, let's get MOVING!

Till next time!

...where it's another weekly re-cap. I'm heading into week 12 and I am hoping for big numbers this next week. I can't promise sweetness tomorrow but starting NOW, I am bringin' it, BIG time. 

My Goals for October:

Walk 130 miles

Swim 20 hours

Post DAILY at My Fitness Pal (I've been a'slackin')

Eat at home 25 dinners

Hit 50 pounds down!

Reward with the much coveted compression suit (more on that later)

What are YOUR goals this BOOOO month?

Cheers!

Day 74 - LOVE the 80/20 Rule!

Okay, firstly, I am sick. Oh man, I don't want to be here, kind of sick. I don't know if I had some bad food or what but I went to bed sick and I woke up sick and all I want to do is be back in bed.

I DO have a FAB Friday tip from Barb for you, however; and once again I can relate. It's been crazy how these tips seem to coincide with what's currently going on in my life.

Without further ado, here's your FAB Friday tip from Barb:


Follow the 80/20 Rule

At least eighty percent of the time, prepare your own foods.  Rather than buying pre-packaged foods, get into the routine of preparing food.  For some people, it works best to prepare foods over the weekend and put them in zip lock bags or plastic containers.  For salads, chop your carrots, cucumbers, peppers, onions, etc. all at once.  Then when you want a salad, you're all set.  Chicken is a great choice to fix in advance.  After it's grilled or roasted, cube the chicken and keep it in the refrigerator.  On days that you're supper pressed for time and eat a frozen entree, or the occasional going out for dinner, should be no more than twenty percent of the time.

Since we moved to downtown Portland, we have been sucking eggs (BIGtime) with eating at home. With more restaurants (or so it seems) than people, here, eating out has been weighing us down. We're working on that, though; and will continue to stay conscientious about how often we go out.

That said, Barb has some great advice above. Plan your foods. Prep your meals. KNOW what you are putting in your mouth. Eating cleanly and healthy should count for 80% of your food intake. Using the 80/20 rule applies to many things in one's life but especially in regard to food, you know the importance of preparing your own food - 80% of the time.

My challenge for this next week is to stay home. At least to eat. This way I know how much oil, salt, and other (tasty but devastating) things are going into my food. I can control this and should, if I plan to reach my goals.

All THAT said, it would appear that my scale is happy with me this early AM. I am surprised and somewhat sceptical about the number this morning.

OH

EM

GEE.

Am I NEVER satisfied with what the scale says?

Yes.

However, I've been so up and down the past 3 weeks that I am sure this is simply a fluke. More than halfway into week 11 and I am down 36.2 pounds. WOW!

Could be my fast for Yom Kippur. Could be this little bout of stomach bug.

Who knows?

Either way, I'll take it for today. I'll take it and head right back to bed. Looks like my plan to stay home is working so far - for today, anyway.

Till next time!

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Our Virtual Trip(s)

Michele: 9.5 miles 

Anna: 118 miles 

Sandi: 93.42 miles

Debbie: 52 miles 

Kathy: 92.76 miles 

Stephanie: 117.07 miles 

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Starting Weight: 306.4

Goal Weight: 150

Today's Weight: 270.2

Total Lost to Date: 36.2

Happy Feet Today. Belly? Not so Much!

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