Down 6.4 lbs :)

I am feeling GOOD!!! I have a long way to go, but I feel so much better and more in control. I actually made it to Zumba twice in one week! What?!!! My friend asked if I was coming on Friday too,  and I said that I had to lose more weight first....makes sense? Honestly, I know I can't set myself up to fail, and 3 times a week would probably not fit into my plans right now. It's the first time in a couple of months that I have made it twice.

Update on the Ideal shake. I just could not tolerate something that was in the shake. I got used to the spinach addition and the taste, but it made me nauseous. Hubby and I were headed out to lunch and shopping and I had to cancel and stay closer to home. It reminded me of my morning sickness days. NOT a good memory at my age :) I sent it back for the refund and from the reviews it appears they are really good about following through.... I hope so, or it was a 50.00 experiment.

I have gotten back into eating my multi grain sandwich thins and I LOVE them now. There are 5 grams of fiber in them and I need that. I am also big time in to Kroger brand organic low salt popcorn, it satisfies my crunch craving, and I am also eating several pieces of beef jerky a day. It was on the suggested list for snacks on the Ideal Shake meal plan. I hadn't really thought of it before, and it is expensive, but definitely worth the ability to chew.

I am very excited to get out of the 150's, although I know it will be a couple of months away, I will get there. 140 is my current goal, I just never really stayed in the 130's when I did the BFC. I will get there!!!

It appears that my daughter in Georgia will be moving back to our side of the U.S. for their next military move. To say I am excited to have my grands closer is and understatement. It would still be quite a drive, or a mere hour plane ride, but OMG.....I can't wait to hear! I will so very much miss my Georgia visits though, it made me feel close to my Dad and his family since he was from there. I miss him so.

Blessings and happy scales!!! God is AMAZING!!!

4.9 gone....

I truly wish I had lost more after 20 days of being "good", but my good, and "technically diet good", are probably 2 different things.

I want to update again on my Ideal shake. I added spinach and I lived! I not only lived, but I have added the spinach each time since the first attempt. I can't even taste it, and I know that I need to eat some healthy things. I don't think I will order it again, not because it isn't great, but because the ready to drink bottles of slimfast are way easier. There is a very large online community and they post a lot of shake ideas and helpful tips, just probably not my thing. 

I have been extremely lazy with my steps and exercise. I think in my 3 week period I have only gone to Zumba 4 times? Typically it's because of the weather, but I will get better as the weather gets better. I could certainly do it in my home, but that is not something that comes natural to me yet.

Onward....I am hoping that I will have my energy kick in and I will increase activity and continue to eat well for me.

Blessings and happy scales...

Discouraged? Not yet....

It's been 2 weeks since I started "trying" to lose weight. For 2 weeks I have not had 1 single thing that is considered a "sugar treat." For days, weeks, months even....I had been eating something sweet every day. Why or why couldn't I just lose weight after giving up my sweets??? Because that would be too easy and not teach me a lesson!!!

I have been having 1 slimfast advanced nutrition shake and 1 Ideal shake a day and adding in a dinner/lunch that follows BFC guidelines. Well....mostly....Ideal allows a cheat meal and I have to say that my carbs are bread or pizza crust. It's interesting to see myfitnesspal is pretty much right on with the BFC lifestyle as far as the 15/6 rule. I have been eating a bit more fruit, no banana yet which is on of my favorites!

I did go to Zumba today and it was a bit easier. I have my 10,000 steps in for the day and I have to say I am proud of myself. The weight is not melting off, and I am trying to not be discouraged...it is a lifestyle...not a sprint. I will be happy to get back into the 150's.

My friend came back to Zumba today after a 6 month absence and a 76 lb weight loss. She is working with a naturaopath. (sp) and was not "allowed" to do anything but walk for the first 6 months of her weight loss journey. She was the larger bottom type gal and she looks awesome. I am inspired and happy for her!!!

Quiet weekend, quiet week ahead...I certainly do not mind that! I believe hubby and I have saved 100's of dollars over the last 2 weeks not eating out every day! Good news :)

Blessings and happy scales...

My little sis and her boyfriend, they have been going together for over 40 years!!!

Down 4.4 lbs in 11 days....

I would love to have seen a much lower number on the scale, but I will take it, especially since I don't feel like I am depriving myself of anything....except all my sweets that I had over the Holidays. You would think that just not eating 10 cookies a day would be an automatic loss!

I have an update on my Ideal shake. I added left over coffee, some crushed ice, and the unsweetened vanilla almond milk and it was great. I mean it....it was really good. I thought maybe it was a one time thing, but I had it for breakfast again today and it is good! What a relief!!! The reason that I prefer the Ideal shake even though it is messy and not as easy as the slimfast bottle is because it has 5 grams of fiber per shake. That fiber is helpful!

I had my shake and a cutie orange about 9:00 am and them we went to a movie at 12:20. No lunch until 3:30 and I was in no way "hungry"...kind of cool.

We went to see "13 Hours" the true story of Benghazi. AMAZING. The men in the movie are real life heroes and their story deserves to be told. God Bless them all.

It's the weekend....according to Ideal shakes I get a cheat day....here's hoping I don't cheat all 3 days!

P.S. After the movie we went to Costa Vida and I had chicken nachos. Yep...second time since I started 11 days ago....go me!

Blessings and happy scales...

Zumba day 2 and I didn't die again :)

OK, I got my Ideal shakes on Monday and had my first one for breakfast on Tuesday with just water. I seriously thought that I was going to barf and my tummy stayed nauseous for a couple of hours. However....I then had a burger and fries for lunch :(

My little sister lives in a nursing home (she was born with spina bifida) and we took her and her boyfriend lunch. If this is going to work for me "forever", I have to eat like I would eat forever! I had my burger, went light on the fries, and then had another shake with almond milk for and 4 pieces of bacon for dinner. I am drinking a lot of water!

This morning I had a slimfast protein shake before Zumba so I would not feel sick! Lunch was another sample flavor Mocha of the Ideal shake and 4 pieces of bacon. The mocha wasn't "as gross", but I simply do not understand how anyone would say it is great tasting. There is a smoothy book that goes along with the shakes of all different add ins, I think that is what makes them so tasty. I would rather eat my calories than add them in to the shake. I am not giving up yet! I did have my hubby buy more slimfast protein so I can mix it up. I am seriously about getting some of this weight off.

Dinner was 1/2 black forest ham on a bagel sandwich, spinach salad and about 10 chili cheese fritos....I still love them :)

Life...love it....live it....

Blessings and happy scales!

Gonzaga University basketball! Go Zags!

Zumba and I didn't die ;)

I am so proud of myself! I went to Zumba this morning for the first time in about 6 weeks and I lived! I not only lived but  I also did over 6000 steps and 60 active minutes on my Fitbit! Yay me!!!

I was a bit disappointed by the scale this AM...I always want to see a 10 lb loss for a 3 lb effort! I am still feeling a little puny from sugar withdrawals, so my tummy wasn't up to much food yesterday. I thought it would be magic!

I read this article this morning and it totally validates my never giving up my bacon! I remember Dr.Oz years ago saying the best diet was "the one you can live with for the rest of your life." I 100% agree.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-s-beck-phd/the-best-diet-ever-three-key-ingredients_b_8889774.html

I'm so appreciative of any and all comments. I truly believe when our little blogging community was going we all stayed more on track. Whatever "food lifestyle" we follow, we can encourage one another!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to those that comment :) We are in this struggle together...
Blessings and happy scales!!!

Day 4 and I have stayed committed!!!

Short and sweet, this is what I am doing...

Breakfast: Slimfast protein shake
Lunch: Slimfast protein shake and 4 pieces of pre cooked bacon (Costco) or other meat. Why? Because I love to chew something. I cook the bacon super crispy and it makes me chew...a lot...and today I had leftover steak.
Dinner: Meat, 1/2 potato with pat of butter, spinach (yuck), ranch dressing, and a cutie orange.

I have not gone back to exercise and quite honestly have felt kind of sickly, like when I am detoxing off sugar....I did weigh this morning and I was down 2.2 lbs. It's a start!!!

I have looked at all the shakes available and choose Ideal shakes. I ordered chocolate today and it came with the Ideal diet ebook, shaker and 3 samples of other flavors. I am hoping the Mocha one will be good. There is also a smoothy recipe book that has some really interesting ideas. Even a key lime pie one! Ideal shakes do have sucralose, which I know Jorge is against, but it's a risk I am willing to take.

I have not had 1 soda since Sunday, I was back to drinking them about twice a day...yay me!!!

I did go to lunch with my girls on Tuesday and had 1/2 chicken pepperoni pizza. When I followed the BFC I would put all the toppings on 2 crusts and that's what I did this time. Baby steps to normal.

Blessings and Happy Scales....

Not a fan....And don't ask how I did this, I have no idea ;)

165.5 Back to the top :(

Well friends, I doubt if anyone is still reading this, but I am doing it for me, to hold myself accountable, and to follow my new journey. I have eaten my way up to higher than when I started the Belly Fat Cure 5 years ago. For 5 years I was able to control my weight, not to the lowest I wanted to be, but within fighting weight. I let sugar and white carbs back in daily....and here I am....unhappy with how I look and totally unhealthy...so unhealthy that I "grunt" when I bend down. We have a lot of snow and ice, and I use that as an excuse of not going to Zumba, even though I have the DVD's and plenty of options on my computer via youtube. I have extended the date that I would "start" so many times. My daughter in law is doing Isogenix, she lost 35 lbs since one of the times I was going to start! I have to do this, for me, for my future, for me health. I will do this. I can do this, and I pray that I don't forget how good it feels to feel good.

I can tell you that this isn't totally about looking good, I don't think I look "that bad". I feel "that bad". I feel out of breath, like a sausage in casing. I'm done. I want to be active, physical, healthy, limber, no aches and pains, heart healthy.

May God help me, I am going to need Him!!!

Blessings and Happy Scales...

147 and holding....

I just thought I would check in, even if it is just with "myself"!

I am back from my trip from GA to visit my grands and I finally feel like my old self! I always get sick after I visit, and this time, I was sick when I was there. I did manage to lose weight while there, and for the most part, keep it off since I've been home. Being sick does that for you! I FINALLY went back to Zumba yesterday, the first time in a almost a month! I am currently trying to figure out if I want to lose weight, or work on maintenance....I haven't gotten my answer to that yet. 

We had beautiful weather in Georgia and Florida, I came home with a tan, but it left once it saw our dreary weather. It was nice yesterday and I was able to finish a book in the sun. I love that kind of day! I am so ready for Spring/Summer!!!

Here's some of my favorite pics from my trip. God is good and I feel like He held my hand through a lot of the trip. Just saying....

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

Sunrise over the castle...early entry

View from Dumbo

My daughter and I went to Cinderella, loved it!

We RUSHED to see Anna and Elsa for Konner and he would not go anywhere near them. Thus, he is missing!

Elsa

Poor MK had pink eye :( 

One of my favorite times...Ohana breakfast at the Polynesian

LOVE

Love Pooh

MK had the perfect Disney clothes!

Love Micky :)

OK, one more thing...when I went to my physical in August my Dr. had said I should probably wean off my hormones at some point, so I started to do that...from 1 pill...to 1/2 pill...to 1/2 pill every other day....and then my trip came up, and I was out of meds...Dr. wouldn't refill until I had my mammogram....I think that the hormones and the lack of them were a big reason that I was feeling so sluggish and bad. I actually got my refill last Friday, felt better by Sunday, went back to workout yesterday, and have slept a million times better since I am back on track. I had also quit taking my magnesium because it makes me go potty, back on that too! As of today...I feel GOOD!!! Yay....

Blessings and happy scales....

149.6 UGH!!

Hubby and I had a bit of a weird flu type thing the entire week before Christmas. We could function, eat, etc. but it wasn't pleasurable...with that I managed to get down to my lowest....147. I had decided to give myself a week to eat sugar treats and I started shortly after Christmas with a gift that my daughter had bought me that had chocolate, potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, etc. in it. OMG...then I went on to all the candy, chocolate, cookies....all the goodies left over. When I finally stopped last Sunday, I had made it back up to 149.6. It has taken months to lose the 2 lbs...about 2 weeks to gain it back. I am hoping by starting fresh and back to my Zumba, it will disappear quickly. HA! 

I have been amazed at myself for 3 whole days. As I write this it is almost dinner time and I am having steak and salad. 3 days with no added sugar treats! Go me!!! I feel better in 3 short days, and I am shooting to lose at least another 10 lbs. I don't think I will ever get back down to my 132, I don't know if it is worth the life change to be at that weight. TODAY....I feel good! 

Thank you for people stopping by to say hello and that you are still around. I would love to stay connected. Blogging was a big part of my original success. 

Happy 2015!!!

Blessed :)

Still going...

Just checking in to say that I am still off sugar...no cheats...but no more weight loss. I am hovering about 148.5. I was sick for a couple of weeks with a cold and I didn't get my exercise in, that is my excuse, and I am sticking with it! I did break down and buy some new jeans, size 8 and they are not skin tight....progress!

My daughter and family gets here on Wednesday night from Georgia. I am over the moon! I haven't seen Madelyn in 4.5 months. She is 5 months old!!! Time flies...so fast....

Hubby finally agreed to new living room furniture, now I am not embarrassed to take pictures in there....so unbelievably happy :)

I hope everyone...anyone??? is doing well!
Blessings :) K

New tables are next!

Such a nice change from the floral stripes...

Konner was being goofy, not really picking his nose :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What a month this has been! Full...very full of wonderful blessings. My new grandson was born on the 19th. His name is Casen Henry or Hank. My son now has his favorite baseball legends....Cy Young and Hank Aaron. Cool right? If you love baseball!

We are spending Thanksgiving with my new grand and family. Both of my sons will be there, that makes me happy. My 2 daughters are back in Georgia.

After 18 years, new sofas! 

So, so, so happy to say bye bye!

Sharing with my sweet friend Linda :)

I have struggled with how I am feeling "too Blessed" lately, I'm not complaining...just always waiting for the shoe to drop. I need to have Faith!

P.S. I was 149.4....Finally broke 150....YAY!!! 

Blessings and Happy Scales....

150.8 SO SLOW!!!!

I just wanted to check in and say that I am still being a good girl, I still haven't had any sweets, not a single bite of candy or goodies, and I am still losing so slowly :( Boo.....

However...I feel better, I know I have lost inches off my tummy, my bulge isn't as big. I still can't fit into my medium size jeans...not large...those are now....not small....those were 20 lbs ago...but medium...the ones that I bought when I was going to lose back down the time before this....confused??? Note to self, quit buying bigger clothes!!!!

7 weeks and 6.2 lbs...but as my husband would say....at least the scale is going down......

It is FREEZING here in WA state, I am so not ready to freeze. I am always cold and we have the house set at 68. Poor K :)

I hope if anyone is reading this that they are doing well, happy and healthy!

Blessings and happy scales...

Madelyn Kay looking fashionable today :)

Happy Halloween!!!

I just wanted to remind myself someday that I did NOT eat one single piece of the 450 pieces that we bought for Halloween! Pretty darn proud of myself :) I also know that I would not stop at that one piece and my last month of getting sugar out of my life would have been for naught! Woot, woot!!!

Happy....

151.3

Today is 1 full month since I started over AGAIN with my BFC living. I have lost 5.7 lbs....Boo....but I will take it. It is coming off soooooooooooooooooooooo sllllloooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. However, I am not caving and I have not had any sugar treats. I even told myself I could last Saturday because we didn't go out to a BIG dinner, we went to a little dinner....by the time I was ready to order, it didn't seem that important anymore.
We even went to Costco again and I handed all my treats to my hubby.
So far, so good!
Woot, woot!!!

I don't know if I have mentioned this, but I am reading the Century Trilogy by Ken Folette (Pillars of the Earth) I am on the last book and I have been able to sit out in the sun and read this Fall and it has been glorious. This was a rose that was saying hello to me. It is chilly, but it is sure beautiful! 

Blessings....

152.4.............

I may be losing weight at a snails pace, but I am regrouping, relearning, and recommitting to being healthy once again. I have really surprised myself with my ability to say "no" to my trigger foods, and eat less of the food that I allow myself. I am back in the spinach groove, and I haven't bought any white bread or rolls for 3 weeks!!! Orowheat multi grain sandwich thins are back in my life. I dislike them, but I have to have bread! 

Yesterday was a day that I want to congratulate myself for! I only ate 3/4 of my sandwich at lunch...ever little bit helps...and I did not eat my popcorn at the movie. That was huge for me, I love to slather the fake melted butter on my popcorn, to the point of leaving grease stains on my pants, but I didn't! I also went all through Costco and handed off all of my goodies, including mini candy bars to my hubby. It is getting easier. And I feel better. I will be much happier in another 10 lbs, but for now, I am seeing some light! 

I am LOVING my Fitbit. It seems crazy that a little device that I wear on my wrist would make such a difference in my sedentary lifestyle, but it does. On Zumba days it is easy to get in 10,000 steps, but on my off days...it's a huge challenge for me. I find myself walking around the house in circles, saying BEEP, BEEP at the door to the downstairs where my husband is (I love to annoy him) and adding up those steps and minutes of activity. I feel better...that's the second time I have said that in this post! 

We went to see the movie Fury yesterday. War is hell, and we have such amazing men and women that fight for this Country. May God Bless them. My son in law goes to Ranger school on November 2nd, any prayers and good wishes would be greatly appreciated! I am so proud of him and my daughter for keeping their home and family going. 

We finally got all of our new appliances in and working. It took 4 times...yes 4 times...to get a refrigerator that was  not damaged in shipping. We went with the new slate color and I LOVE it. Since the granite never worked out, we went with new appliances instead. I have picked out a new refrigerator before, but never all new appliances, it was quite fun and exciting at 57 years old. My gas stove has a built in grill on top and a convection over feature. I have used that for almost everything I have made. Love it....but for anyone that might have a convection oven....I thought it cut the cooking time? It really doesn't for me? 

I feel happy....and it feels good.....The colors outside are beyond beautiful, though our weather is getting colder....I am not a fan of winter.

Blessings and happy scales.....

My grand Cadence and me.

Madelyn Kay

My daughter in law with my future grandson :)

New appliances.

153.2

I can't believe I am excited to get to this weight! I logged into myfitnesspal on 9/1/14 and I weighed 152.1. I gained 5 lbs until I started being good 2 weeks ago. I am a bit frustrated by the low amount of weight I have lost, but I will take it since I am going the right way...down! I can look back at old posts and see how bummed I was to be 148....I would love to be there again!!! I think at this point in my life, being in the low 140's will be a happy spot.

I have really surprised myself with good food choices, we still eat out a LOT, but I try and remove as many carbs as possible. We even went to Arby's before my son's football game on Friday and I did not have their apple crisp, which is to DIE for....literally :) That was a huge success for me. I also was home alone all day yesterday and I stayed on plan...100%... except I am drinking some diet soda. It seems to be a treat that adds to my meals. I WILL quit drinking it, but for now, it feels like a luxury.

My son, that went to 6 different colleges on football scholarships, is coaching our rival school's football team. It is a BIG deal, and I am so happy for him. There are 2 high schools in our district and he is coaching on the opposite one he played on, and they won!!! The 'battle of the bell"..it was one of his happiest moments. You want to watch your kids have success and happiness, and that was a very cool moment. I felt like a traitor because I had gone to the other high school too, but it was 40 years ago, so no biggie!

Matthew's the coach with his folder down the back of his pants!

His selfie before the big game!

I feel good, am looking forward to feeling better....How's everyone else doing?

I'm back...... :)

Well my friends, I have eaten my way up to 157 lbs! I was on a roll and I was loving every minute of it, until I realized I would have to be wearing jeans in the winter! My hubby bought me a Fitbit last Saturday, and I have been a good girl since Tuesday. Today I was down to 154.3. I started some really weird habits right before I got a grip, eating late at night, eating tons of candy and sweets??? WTH??? I never did that. I had to overcome every bit of my compulsion last night at 10:00PM to not eat. Weird. It's 9:16PM and I am starving right now even though I had a great steak dinner with spinach salad??? Crazy!

My facebook friends have seen my vacation pics, but my friend Linda has not, so here's some of my favorites. It was the BEST vacation and I want to go back and live there!!! I'm afraid it would NOT be good for my "girlish figure"!

See the moon too...Sunsrise :)

Happy Selfie with the best coffee flask ever!!!

Heaven's glow

Whale

I only had a 20x zoom, this would have been so cool if I had a better camera!

My view every morning :)

Famous Haystack Rock

My best picture ever!!!

So there are a few of  my pics, I had 130 printed and have a million more that are good. It was so beautiful and magical! I really believe that I see more beauty in things as I get older. If I can get a grip on my eating/weight, I will be blissfully happy!!! 

Blessings and happy scales.....