"Jellin'-Melon" Snacks Recipe

"jellin'-melon" snacks recipe at kraftfoods.com#

This looks like a great way for kids to eat their fruits but have something fun to go with it!

Who's Excited???

About 2-3 weeks ago I bought a pair of jeans.

They were a little "snug" when I tried them on, but knew if I got the size bigger I wouldn't be able to wear them too long before I had to give them away.  So I bought the snug pair hoping that I could wear them within the next month or so.....

I hadn't taken them out of the bag until this morning.  Yeah....who is wearing them today?!?!? 

That's right...I am! 

I'm excited.

*****************

Next week will probably be a different story though....I busted rump the last couple weeks at the gym, so I know that it is paying off.  BUT if you remember, I've not done the first thing this week, so I'm positive it will catch up with me next week. 

I'm down....

I'm down two and I have on an outfit today that I've not worn in a while!  YAY!

Thursday is looking good!

Phooey!

I have been doing really good for the last month, going to the gym and staying active. 

I've been to the gym an average of 5x/week for the past 4 weeks.  (wait while I pat myself on the back.)   I'm sorry if that sounded conceited, but honestly, it has taken everything in me to get back in the habit of going to the gym and making it a priority.

In other news, although the last month has seemed to be productive, this week has not. 

Monday:  I rode with a friend to Asheville to lend moral support in looking at/purchasing a new car. 

Tuesday:  I went with CGar to Bryson City to check out this super cool new boutique, Humanite'.  Albeit we got back in time for me to actually make it to the gym, I couldn't find the eneregy that I needed...so I didn't go. 

Wednesday:  I went to church and b/c I didn't feel like being rushed, I didn't go workout prior to heading to church.  

Today:  I will be going to a Tupperware Party at Lily Belle's with some girlfriends.  No time to work out before or after.  

This week just hasn't been a good gym week.  Although, I'm a little bummed I didn't make it, it is ok. I have continued to watch what I'm eating and not over doing it. 

I've even had two compliments this week stating that it looks as if I've lost weight (I don't feel like I have, but I've not stepped on the scale to confirm).  But I'll take any compliment anyway I can get it!  Who wouldn't?

Next week will be a different story....I promise! 

what a day

***EDIT AT BOTTOM***

I went to the gym at 6am this morning: 

     Recumbent Bike:  3 miles

     Elliptical:                3 miles

     Abs

     Legs

I went to the gym at 5pm this evening.

     Elliptical:                3 miles

     Bike:                       3 miles

I walked in town after a friend's tupperware party. 

       2.6 miles

Needless to say, I am pooped......

Tomorrow I'm going to the gym at 6am for Ultimate Spining class.  I think I should be scared......

***Edit***

I went to the gym this morning for spinning ---- it hurt my rump.  The seat is WAY.TO.SMALL for my wide hinny.  lol  But I will say it was a good workout and there wasn't anything else I could do afterwards other than bask in the warmth of a shower.

I feel refreshed for the day.

Then & Now

I've been looking back over some photos of years past and comparing them to how I look now.  Like almost every other red-blooded American, I've not only gained knowledge and understanding of life itself, but I've also gained a few pounds over the years.  These pictures have been taken over the span of the last 10 years. 

Right now, my goal is to look as I did in 2005.  My ultimate goal is to look as I did in 2000.  I know that its a shot in the dark, but I know with dedication and determination I can do it.   In actualilty, my weight in 2000 is the lower end of the range for my "recommended weight range" for my age and height.  (BTW, those ranges are ridiculous!) 

Let's take a step back in time and check out these photos.....

Fall 2000

Quick Photo before heading back to College.

Spring 2003

My Roommate and I at Cherokee Dam hanging out on a Saturday afternoon.

July 2005

Matt and I in Hilton Head, SC. (we look scared of each other! HAHA)

December 2005

Matt Surprised me with a trip to Biltmore for my Birthday.  (You can see me slowly expanding)

March 2006

Cruise to the Bahamas.  (Def getting larger.....ugh)

July 2006

Pigeon Forge with Friends.  (my face is getting pudgy...boo.)

May 2007

My sister and I at a wedding.

May 2008

Orange Beach, AL.  (Def expanding way too much)

October 2008

Photo Shoot for Christmas photos.  (This was my largest.  I look SO uncomfortable...and felt uncomfy too.)

April 2009

Started loosing weight and lost a total of 12 inches.  (pants were abt 2 sizes too big!  YAY!)

May 2009

After a walk at the Greenway.  (My face isn't as round, arms are a little more toned)

June 2009

Smallest I've been in a LONG time.  -25lbs.  (I cannot believe I wore a bikini last year!)

September 2009

Shopping trip in Asheville.  (I'd stopped working out by this point, and was slowly gaining back.  BOO)

December 2009

Weight slowly coming back to my face.

February 2010

Little more on the face....little more on the hips and waist as well.

I am so excited about going back to the gym.  I've decided that I am going to try going a couple times a day at least 2 days a week.  We'll see how that works as well.

I was going to post about my first week on the 1200 calorie diet.  BUT due to an unforseen stomach issue that I had last week and the bloated female problems of this week, I've not stepped on the scale to see how I done.  I was only able to exercise one time last week and that was a 3 mile walk in town on Monday evening.  Monday night I ended up being really sick and I was that way all week.  I am still having some problems.  If it continues I will have to go to the doctor, but slowly but surely I am feeling better. 

Well here's to a successful week!

Ready, Set, Go

For the last 5 days I've been on my newly revised goal for weight loss.

After mulling over a blog, Kevin & Amanda, I happened upon a while back I've reinvented my goal and expectations. 

Although Amanda has some really great blogs all bundled into one (recipes, scrapbooking, photographing, etc) I've really enjoyed reading what she posts, regardless of the subject content.  I really like her recipes though.  Yumm-o!  She posted a blog about weightloss a while back and I'm putting some of those things into action for myself.  You can see her weight-blog here.

Start Date:          March 10, 2010

End Date:           June 23, 2010

Weight Loss:    -30lbs

Goals:                  1)  Drink water and/or Coffee

                             2)  Exercise 5 days a week, regardless of whether its a walk or a complete workout

                             3)  1200 Calories a Day

                             4)  One Cheat Meal per Week

                             5)  Take a Multivitamin

I will tell you right now as I type, that I'm about.to.die.of.stomach.devouring.intestines.disorder.  I cannot tell you how HARD it is to eat only 1200 calories a day!  OH MY GOSH!  Well, its not that it is hard, it's just being conscious of it and not allowing yourself to eat anything unnecessary or excessive.  I've really been paying a lot of attention to the nutrition labels.  

I do have a fantastic cookbook, 200 Under 200, that I will be using more often to assist in reaching my goals.  All of the recipes in the cookbook are 200 calories or less.  Most are actually less, and they sound so wonderful.  A lot of the ingredients are things that wouldn't normally be in your pantry, but HG (Hungry Girl) has a list of items that are her pantry staples.  The 1200 calories has made me plan ahead as to what I will be eating so that I stay within my caloric intake.  So this weekend when I knew I would be eating a meal that would have more calories, I cut back on other meals.

A few of my favorites so far have been: 

     Light & Fit Yogurts weighing in at 80 calories

     Smart Ones Turkey Medallions weighing in at 200 calories

     Smart Ones Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla weighing in at 220 calories for one

     Smart Ones Broccoli & Cheddar Roasted Potatoes weighing in at 240 (this is prob one of my faves!)

     Subway Turkey Breast Salad weighing in at 110 calories

     Kraft Catalina Free Salad Dressing weighing in at 50 calories for 2Tbs.

     Coffee-Mate Fat Free Original Creamer weighing in at 10 calries per Tbs.

     Splenda weighing in at 0 calories per packet!

     Weight Watchers Giant Latte Ice Cream Bar weighing in at 90 calories

So here's to my goals that I hope to reach with in the next 14.5 weeks.  I hope to lose at least 2 lbs a week....we'll see how this goes!!  I won't be heartbroken if I don't reach it, but I will try my hardest to reach it!

I'm always looking for new things to try and am open to suggestions...so send them my way!