Pictures Taken for the Community Challenge

Here are some random pictures of me from the It's Time Texas Community Challenge. 

walking during cafeteria duty

chicken, rice, and green beans

banana, chocolate chip, peanut butter blender muffins made into bread

trying a new yogurt

actively monitoring during testing

chicken, rice, and peas

salad for dinner with my sweet man

banana, chocolate chip, peanut butter blender muffins made into bread

trying another new yogurt

actively monitoring during testing

chicken, rice, green beans, and peas

trying a CarbMaster yogurt for a snack on a late dinner kind of night

more homemade peanut butter banana chocolate chip muffins (made in a bundt pan)

Eating Healthy and Gallstones

At work, we have been doing the It's Time Texas Community Challenge.  I have been making sure I am eating healthy meals 3 times a day along with a healthy mid-morning snack (since I don't eat until late). I work in a workout or something when I can (mostly when I do lunch duty and walk around the cafeteria or when I am actively monitoring testing and walk all over the room).  Funny that I am trying so hard to watch everything during January and this is the time my gallstones start moving around causing me great pain and agony.

Since I was diagnosed with gallstones in 2010, I have maybe had 2-3 days of pain.  Well, they decided to start moving and keep moving for a week. In a 5 day period, I saw the doctor twice, had 12 vials of blood drawn, a urine sample, an ultrasound, a sonogram, a chest x-ray, two EKGs, a CT Scan, and an ER visit.

All led to us learning my Thyroid meds need to be changed (even though I don't feel any different since changing them last time--I have felt pretty good in that regard) and that I might have Gastritis and Cholelithiasis.

Thank goodness they are sitting still most of the time now and the pain has gone away for the most part.  So much for trying to be healthy!  Now, I have to stay away from fried foods (Hello! I have Celiac!  There are no fried foods!) and lower my fat intake/eat low fat.  Fine. I'll give it a try, and I have been doing pretty well.

Actually, I am still just watching what I am eating and making the best choices I can.

Anyone else have gallstones and have some advice?

Run for God Virtual Summer Race 2015

Today was the day--Run for God's Summer Virtual Race.  I entered this months ago, so I couldn't not do it. I decided that I would break it in half.  I walked to Curves, worked out, and walked back.  Got more than my 5K completed and a workout.

100 Miles in August

Have you heard about #August100Miles?  You can learn more at https://ilovetorun.org or on their Facebook page.

I first saw it b/c a Facebook friend liked and joined it.  I then started looking into it.  For those of you who have read a few of my posts, you know I am not a runner. Maybe some day I will be, but I'm not there.  These knees of mine aren't young and spry.  :-) However, I am a walker.  Most of the time, I could walk more than I actually do.  My mind keeps me from going or I run out of time.

My BFF and I were looking for a challenge from July 4th to the beginning of school.  Well, we didn't really find one, but when I saw this, we were hooked!  We started on July 31st and have been focused ever since.  We did not officially join to get the buckle, but we are accountable to one another and will know we did it for the health and fitness benefits.

She did the math and figured out we had to do 3.23 miles a day. That is our goal, and we do at least that each night when we walk.  We used July 31st as an extra day in case something happens and we don't get 3.23 in one day.  I also include the other mileage I accumulate throughout the day and is recorded with my Fitbit. In just 4 days, I have walked 29.54 miles.  Yea!

Another Amazing July Morning

I was awakened just after 6:00 this morning, and knowing just how uncharacteristically cool it was outside, I had to get up and take advantage of it.  I quickly changed, and with my walking shoes on, off I went for a morning stroll.  I walked along some of my normal streets, but then I added a few new ones in a little different direction.  I had hoped to make it 3 miles (since I don't have paths laid out or any real idea of distance along certain roads, it makes this difficult), but I came in just under.  That is OK b/c I will get that last little bit done at some point today.  And who knows? I just might get another 1-3 miles in this evening with my BFF.

I wish we had these mid to upper 60s and low 70s 90% of the time, but I would have to move, and that isn't happening.  So for now, I will cherish these cool temperatures and make the most of them until we hit triple digits again near the end of the week.

A Little Piece of Country

I have blogged about how I love my house and street before, but I was reminded of why the last few days.  My BFF and I have not been able to complete our nightly walk the last few days, which we do in her neighborhood, so I set out Sunday and Monday night to just walk my entire street, which is about a mile, just to let off a little stress and emotion.  My street has about 22 houses on it, all with more than one acre, with most close to two acres. Not only does this allow space and land between then, but it gives the feel of a more open, country feel.  Various types of trees and wildlife fill the yards.  There isn't a lot of traffic.  More these days than in years past, but still not a thoroughfare. Walking after 8:00 gives it a feel of walking through the country or treed area. 

The crunch of dried pine needles and broken pine cones underfoot,
sound of birds tweeting and bugs buzzing,
glimpses of butterflies and moths fluttering,
sight of cotton tails hopping through the yards,
reminders of what might be deadly reptiles--snake skins, dead snakes, baby snakes too scared to move,
sadness of a dead field mice,
coziness of tree-lined skylines,
playfulness of the Moon playing peek-a-book through the tree branches,
memories of walking through the woods at Girl Scout Camp.

It is so relaxing, and I look forward to more evening walks.  I hope you can find a little place to unwind, relax.

This morning, I got out early to walk.  We are having extremely cool temps for July, so I wanted to take advantage of them.  This time, I left my street and added several streets in the neighboring neighborhood.  Once I left my street, there was a such a difference--houses closer together, fewer trees, more traffic, less country feel, less calming and relaxing feel.  It just made me love my street even more.

Fitness Anniversary Day

Two years ago today, I rejoined Curves and started working toward a healthier life.  I began working out 30 minutes a day as many days a week as possible, and I started watching what I ate.  Along the way, I added more fruits and vegetables and switched from white flour to wheat.  Now, I have switched from wheat to gluten free.  On my 2nd anniversary of seriously trying to be healthier, I have lost 61 lbs and over 42 inches.

I am a little embarrassed to say it has taken 2 years to get this far.  I would love to say I have lost 75 lbs or 100 lbs or even 61 lbs in 9 months or a year, but it is 61 lbs in 2 years.  I can say that I have done it naturally and with hard work.  No surgery for me.  I have to continue to work hard as not to go backwards or gain it back.

There is absolutely no way I would have made it this far or stuck with it if it were not for my mom, who makes sure I eat healthy, my BFF, who makes sure I get to Curves or out for a walk, my other BFF, who has been supportive, and my coworker, who got fit herself and was a great support and role model for me.

I am not excited about these pictures, and 2 are not that great, but here is a little idea of where I was and how far I have come.

Late May/Early June 2011

Fall 2012

June 23, 2014

Yea, me!  I will keep trudging along.  Now that we have figured out that my body has been working against me, maybe things will go a little smoother losing even more.  (Hasn't happened so far, but I will keep trying.)

Health News with Changes to Come

About three weeks ago I went and did blood work.  I love doing this with my Dr's office b/c the results are so detailed and really explain what is going on within my body.  Today, I went to find out the results.  Because I have been working out and changed how I've been eating to add more fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken, and less carbs, sweets, and processed foods, I just knew I would have good results.  I even did the Dr. Oz cleanse.  No.  I was floored and highly upset by what I learned.  I controlled my tears and emotions until after I left, thank goodness, but I was so upset.  We went through the paperwork one page at a time, and I listened intently.  Here is what I learned:

I have been working so hard, but have little to show for it.  This is b/c my hormones and glands are working against me.  With a supplement for Folic Acid and B12, supplement to help with hormones, and a prescription to help my Thyroid, I truly hope to have much better results in 2-3 months.  I sure hope these do the trick and I can actually have more successful weight loss.

Despite this, I have officially lost 60 pounds as of today.  It has taken me 4 years, so maybe I can lose more and faster if the supplements and prescriptions work.

I go back 8 weeks from the time I start the meds to see what my hormones are doing.

The other thing that was written in my paperwork was "No Gluten!"  I have already moved from white bread/flour/carbs/pasta to whole wheat.  Now, I have to cut all that out.  I will have to read all labels and skip anything with wheat, barley, and rye in it.

If you have any gluten free suggestions, I am all ears.

Weight Loss Has Its Highs and Lows

Gaining weight is so easy, and losing weight is torture.

I remember these little dresses I wore my senior year in college.  My weight/size was pretty OK.  I wasn't a skinny little thing, but I looked and felt fine.

When I started teaching 17 years ago, I focused so much on work and the stress it caused that I didn't pay attention to what I ate or how I looked.  Looking back, I remember not having things to wear near the end of the school year, so I wore my mom's clothes.  That first year was horrible.  So horrible that I changed school districts for my 2nd year.  Looking back, I had no idea how big I was and it didn't click that I had grown to a size far larger than I had ever been.  I think I may have gained 60-70 lbs that year.  How could I not realize that?  How could it not have bothered me?  Could it have been because I was just trying to survive? Why didn't someone say something?

During my 3rd year of teaching, I joined Weight Watchers with my mom and aunt.  We went to weekly meetings, and I worked hard at what I ate.  I don't remember if I joined Curves the first time at that point or not.  After 5 months, I lost 25 lbs.  This was a huge deal.  I hated that it took 5 months, but I was excited I was finally at a low point after 3 years.  However, it didn't last long.

Over the next 10 years, I regained that 25 lbs plus at least 29-30 more.  I may have even weighed more than that, but that is the largest number I remember seeing on a scale. At some point during those 10 years, I lost 11 pounds cutting out soda and trying the South Beach Diet, but it didn't stay off.

In 2010, I decided it was the year to take care of me.  I began visiting the doctor for ailments I had been experiencing for several years.  Over the next 2 years, I only lost 10 lbs trying to eat better.

Finally, as you may know from my blogging, I joined Curves again on July 9, 2012.  Everything I have done since then has been compared to that start date and the highest weight I know from 2010.

After doing the 10 day detox and really trying to watch what I eat these last few weeks, doing a lot of house work this week, and adding in some walking/jogging, I have made it back to the weight I was at after losing with Weight Watchers.  This was one of my goals.  I wanted to get to this number on the scale.  That means I have lost 54 lbs from my highest point in 2010 and 14 lbs since January 6, 2014.  Woohoo!

I am trying to keep up with my BFF who has begun walking and jogging.  Last night, I walked 4 minutes, ran 2 minutes, walked 4 minutes, jogged 1 minute, and repeated for only 25 minutes.  That was hard on my joints, but I gave it a try.  Now . . . to keep trying.

While I am excited to get to this point, I have 30-35 more pounds to go.  I need all the prayer and encouragement I can get.

Spring Break--Tuesday

Today, we got up and moving early again despite our sore muscles.  We finished Granny's little shed and worked on the bottom part of her big shed.  My Great Aunt helped us during the afternoon.  We filled up her parkway across the majority of the front of her house.  People came all day to rummage through it.

I don't mind people going through the trash.  We have done it ourselves, but people should clean-up their mess and reorganize the stuff when they finish.  I am too tired from taking it to the curb the first time to keep cleaning up all day long b/c people are making a mess.

We finally quit working about 4:00 PM.  Because we were too tired to cook, we went to Souper! Salad for dinner to make good choices, and we did.

When we finished, we went back to Granny's to load up all the donation stuff.  Our plan is to take stuff to the donations place first thing tomorrow morning.

One of my BFFs told me about My Fitness Pal App.  I documented my food and exercise for Monday and Tuesday.  It is very neat!  I'm not really sure about the calories part.  I gained so many calories from all the work I have been doing, but I still haven't eaten anywhere near all my calories.  Am I supposed to eat them all?  Eat most of them?  Leave a bunch each day?

Day 1 After Detox

Well, now I can add back foods I haven't been eating a little at a time.  I didn't really have anything planned for lunch, so I ate leftover rice (a very small amount) and pears.  Overall, I ate very little during the day, but I wasn't hungry.  For dinner, we went to Souper! Salad.  I make great choices, only had one little bowl of soup, and no cornbread or butter.  I now find myself feeling guilty making food choices.

I did my "official" weigh-in today.  I lost 4 pounds in 10 days.  I had truly hoped it was more, but I wasn't doing the supplements or the shakes that go with the real detox program.  But still, 4 lbs is pretty good. Now . . . to keep it off.

Detox Day 9

Day 9:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: banana

Lunch:  fish and vegetables

Snack: nuts

Dinner: chicken and brown rice with some salsa

Detox Day 8

Day 8:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: I didn't have a snack this morning b/c we were busy cleaning, organizing, and recycling.

Lunch:  Rice Vegetable Soup from the Detox program recipes and a banana

While it tasted better than the last soup we made, I still didn't like it.

It had celery, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, broth, garlic, and brown rice.

Snack: banana
I really got hungry about 4:30.

Dinner: Fish, rice, and peas

Still need to drink more.

Detox Day 7

Day 7:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: I didn't have a snack this morning b/c of church and errands.

Lunch:  Flounder and Tilapia with a mixed green salad and beans

Snack: half a jar of Fiji Apples

Dinner: a can of Ranch Style Beans (LOVE these) and the rest of the Fiji Apples

Still need to drink more.

Mom enjoyed popcorn and a Snicker for her evening snack.  While that would have been yummy, I didn't stare at her or want any.  :-)

Detox Day 6

Day 6:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

I went and did a 30+ minute workout at Curves this morning.

Snack: I didn't have a snack this morning b/c I was busy moving, boxing, and cleaning items.

Lunch:  Great Northern Beans and Kidney Beans

We were so busy all morning, and by the time we got to lunch, we were exhausted.  We ate leftover beans to get rid of them.

Snack: None today

Dinner: Chick-fil-A Grilled Market Salad and ice water

We had been out and about, so we decided that since I could have salad, we would try one I have seen/heard friends eating lately. Shockingly, to someone who isn't really a salad eater, it was good.  I put Fat Free Honey Mustard on it and liked it.

While this whole meal was under 380 or so calories, I was not supposed to have the dressing or chicken today.  Oh, well.  It was good & healthy, and I will eat it again.

Still need to drink more.

Detox Day 5

Day 5:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: I forgot to eat a snack b/c I was so busy.  I really need to not do that b/c by the time I got to lunch, I knew my sugar had dropped, and I was starving.

Lunch:  Tilapia, sweet potato (no butter), and a mixed green salad with my Warden Farms Thousand Island

Snack: Too busy and in a hurry to eat

Dinner: Great Northern Beans and Flounder or Tilapia

I have found I crave water and need to drink more.

Detox Day 4

Day 4:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: I forgot to eat a snack b/c I was so busy.

Lunch:  Flounder, some broccoli, and leftover carrots and peas

Snack: can of pears

Dinner: Tilapia, sweet potato, and Great Northern Beans

Everything was OK today.

Detox Day 3

Day 3:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: banana

Lunch: Tilapia, mixed green salad, and a can of pears with no sugar added

There is this vinegar and oil dressing you are supposed to make/use on the salad.  Well, anyone who knows me knows I am picky about my salad dressing. At home I only eat Ken's Thousand Island.  When I go out, I am very picky and choose between Thousand Island, Italian, and Ranch.  There was no way I could eat a salad with the vinegar and oil dressing, so I found one at the grocery store, Walden Farm's Thousand Island, that is free of calories, gluten, carbs, fat, etc.  It is free of everything of which it can be free.  Well, it does have some taste.  It isn't horrible, but it isn't Ken's.  I have eaten it twice now (dinner last night and lunch today).  I will continue to use it until I can have mine again.

Snack: almonds

Dinner: Flounder, carrots, and peas

I have only been drinking water, but I didn't drink as much today.  I have my glass of Detox tea ready to enjoy [said with sarcasm] later tonight.

Detox Day 2

Day 2:

Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk

Snack: banana

Lunch: Leftover Minestrone Soup from the Detox menu/recipes

Today, I added some salt, which made it a little better.  I ate half of today's portion too.

I had a can of pears with no sugar added.

Snack: almonds

Dinner: Leftover Salmon, stir fry vegetables, brown rice, and a mixed green salad

This tasted better tonight too.  I mixed my Salmon with the brown rice.

Again, I drank a lot of water today.  If I even thought I was hungry, I drank water.

Today, I worked hard to remember my snacks.  Yesterday, my snacks and I weren't in the same place when I should have eaten them.

I also did a 30 minute workout at Curves with a little more difficult cardio.  

Each night, before bed, Mom has a candy bar.  It is her way of surviving this.  Ha ha!  She is being so supportive, so I don't care that she eats her candy.

Detox Day 1

My BFF went to her dr's appt a few weeks ago, and after studying her blood work/panel, he suggested she do a Detox program.  To support her, if she wanted to do it, I checked into it.  I decided I wasn't going to spend the money to purchase the shakes and supplements, but I would give it a try following the menu or meal rules.

My mom has been great.  I gave her the info, she read it all, and then she went about planning our meals for 10 days.  I would have, but she just took over.  It is nice to have the support.

Day 1:
Breakfast:  My chocolate shake made with Almond Milk
(It is a shake powder I get from my dr.)
This is what I have every morning (that I have milk), so I just continued it to replace the Detox shake.

Lunch: Minestrone Soup from the Detox menu/recipes
It is made with Vegetable broth, carrots, celery, kidney beans, green beans, and tomatoes.
After beginning to eat it, I realized it needed something.  To me, it had a weird smell, and it was so bland that I only ate about half of my portion.

Dinner: Salmon, stir fry vegetables, and brown rice
Our vegetables were broccoli, carrots, corn, and edamame (sp?).  I can't have corn with the Detox, so I ate around those.

I drank 3-4 bottles of water all day, and before bed, I drank a 12-16 oz glass of warm herbal tea for Detox (according to the box).

I tell you, if it were not for Mom, I would not be doing this. Today was rough.  Nothing tasted right, and I missed my cold artificially sweetened tea and tasty not-so-great for me foods.