New Beginning

The good thing about a new month, is it give you a breathe of fresh air
It makes me feel like, ok I can start over and make some changes because its a new month
Its a new start...

Well, this month I am going to start really taking care of myself again.
I have been enjoying dinners, a lot of dinners, nights out, a lot of nights out with friends.
Doing what I wanted with my time.
Not answer to anyone or having to check in with anyone.

But it has taken a toll on my weight loss efforts.
Its funny where my "feel good" about myself level is now...

I am technically still below my Weight Watchers goal weight.
But I am not feeling good about myself.
My clothes don't fit the same way.
My energy levels are not where they used to be.
I just am feeling very Blah about myself!

But its a new month, and technically every day is a new day to make the right decisions.
Its all about moderation. and I know how to get back to where I want to be
Just mad that I let myself get to a place that I don't like before I stopped and just got back on track.

I guess I needed to put it out there for a little support, encouragement, motivation and accountability.
I am really going to try to enjoy life, while being healthy and active.
I am trying to be the best version of myself, in all areas of my life...

So this is my first step to another new beginning!

Encouragement welcomed!

Change is the only constant...

I was talking with one of my WW buddies this morning about the new plan that WW introduced this month.
It changes a lot of stuff, it is taking some getting used too, and for the most part we all have our heels dug deep into the ground!

What is it about change that we all fear so much?

If you look back on a time in your life where there was change, and look at your life now... for the most part it is better. You are better.

For the most part, change is rarely wanted

We are all comfortable, things are easy, we are content...

Change causes us to re examine our lives, how we are living, what we are doing.

For most people, its hard to be really honest with ourselves.

Sometimes, its really hard to accept that change is exactly what we need

This year I feel like I have done a lot of changing.

I am changing, being molded, working on being the best version of myself possible...

How are you accepting change?

One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, I made one of the best life decisions with my momma!
I joined Weight Watchers, because I wanted more for myself!

Today, I felt proud, that I stuck to this lifestyle change for an entire year!

So today, Happy One Year Anniversary Momma! We did this together, all year, and I wouldn't want another partner in this!

Here is to lots more years!

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

In almost all of the Communication classes I have taken, we talk about disclosure. Many of you might have heard the analogy about the onion: something about the layers being the depth or breadth, I don't really remember because food always distracts me. Sometimes disclosure can be a good thing, but when someone discloses too much information too quickly it can be uncomfortable...I don't really know where this part was going except that I don't want to disclose too much information.

But, here is a small guilty pleasure of mine... I am OBSESSED with The Foodnetwork Channel! I absolutely love to watch it, and there is about a 98% chance you turn on my tv and it will be on! I like everything but, Barefoot Contessa, she is kind of hard for me to watch. Another guilty pleasure of mine is watching Foodnetwork while I work out, it seems counterproductive but for me it really works!

haha ok, so another guilty pleasure is basically anything on Bravo, which is why this entry is so scattered because Christian Siriano is completely distracting me! haha

The main purpose for this entree is because I have a goal... I want to eat myself through America! Doesn't really go in line with my Weight Watcher goals, but I love to watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and I want to go to all the places in America that Guy Fieri goes too! Who is with me?!?!

Ok, commercial break is over! And so its this posting... xxoo

Last Day of the Year

Sometimes when I start to get comfortable and think that I am always in control of my life, God does something to show me that he really is in control! Sometimes these moments are tragic; sometimes these moments are glorious; sometimes these moments are small; but sometimes these moments are grand.

Today I had one of those moments, thought I would call this one a small moment in my life, it could prove to be grand later on in my life. But lately, as you may know, if you've been reading, I blog a lot about my journey with Weight Watchers... Well today, the LAST day of the year- I AM A LIFETIME MEMBER!!!!! I had reached my goal weight 6 weeks ago, and I have maintained and gone below my goal weight in the 6 weeks to reach lifetime- ON THE LAST DAY OF 2009!

You know those weeks where I gained, or the weeks that I didn't lose as much as I wanted too, or the weeks I didn't work out as hard as I should have... it all happened the way it did, so I would become a lifetime member on the last day of the year! So I am going into the New Decade, prepared, encouraged and supported!

Its a great day for me. These last 14 weeks have been great weeks for me, school is great and I have made myself a priority, it feels good!

I wish you all a Happy Happy New Year! And I pray that you are all blessed and encouraged for the new year. I love you all! xoxo

Lucky Number 7

Well, I try to be better at this, but I fail. Not that many of you are waiting anxiously to hear from me, but still. I should be more committed to this than I am. But its ok, life happens. Can't get down about intentions, sometimes they just don't work out!

But today I am here to talk about number 7! Today is the 7th so it seemed fitting! I don't believe in superstitions or anything like that. But the number 7 has been around lately and I think its funny!

The first 7, would be 17! That is how many pounds I have lost since joining weight watchers, which I have been doing for almost 77 days (technically, 75 today)! ;) It might not seem like a lot, but its huge! I feel so much better, and happier! I can move easier (not that I really had a problem moving but, you know what I mean).

In the last 7 weeks, I have lost 7 inches collectively! 2 in my hips, 2 in my thighs, 2 in my waist and 1 in my arms! =D Sometimes its really hard to keep going because you aren't seeing the results. I see my results. None of my clothes fit me right, jeans that were always tight, are now always baggy! Shirts that were once too tight because I bought them for "when I lost weight", are now too big! Its going to be somewhat expensive getting my new wardrobe but it will be one thing at a time, definitely no complaints!

That is how the number 7 has been following me around lately, but its ok!

One thing I do want to get out there, just because its kind of nice to be completely honest and open: I still struggle! I find myself, being just plain lazy during the weekends. If I didn't have someone else to weigh in to on thursdays it could be bad. I need to find my will power and control. Its just sometimes its hard! Last weekend was Joey's birthday so there was the celebration with his family, his friends, my family and just us. Then there was the day of four wheeling with joey, my brother in law and co-worker that ended with pizza with the family. Its just like, once the cycle starts its going. I need to find my happy medium, I hope I can do it. And until I can, I will go to a meeting every weeks so I can stay within my goal! I am only 3 weeks away from being a Lifetime member, and hopefully I will blog before that time!

xoxo

Merry Christmas! I just love this time of year, I want to start enjoying it more!

Guilty....

So awhile ago my dear sweet friend Karalyn asked me, "What I missed about being on my 'diet'"? I thought about it at first, there really was nothing because I do not think of Weight Watchers as a diet. I think of it as something that allows me to be healthier but I do not feel trapped in. I get to choose what I eat, I get to keep track of the good, and bad things I put in my body, I am just more aware of what I am putting in, and doing with my body! I feel that Weight Watchers is based on awareness. If you are not aware, you gain weight. That is what I did! I ate what I wanted and a lot of it, lots of times a day and wasn't aware of the negative affect it was having on my body, both with weight gain, less energy, uncomfortableness. But now, I am aware! I can have a cookie (or two) one day, but not everyday. I can still have my starbucks, but one day a week, not everyday. I can still eat my favorite mexican food, but not everyday! And I am ok with that... ok sorry about the tangent back to the original question. It was a very good question, because when people diet, they miss things. It took me sometime and I realized it. I realized that I do miss something... I miss not feeling guilty for wanting something, usually In n Out. But I think that is me just wishing to not be aware of what I am doing, and I dont want that! I think since I am in the thick of it all, and very determined to get healthy and be comfortable that feeling of guilt is much stronger than it will be later. Because, I know I can have anything I want, but I wont be I am determined to get my confidence back, and to feel good about myself. And those feelings are way better than those In N Out french fries! So moral of the story: this is not a diet. this is a lifestyle change. i am more aware than i have ever been, and i am glad, not guilty.

ps. this is the thing I have been wanting to blog about but totally forgot from the last post! =D

pss. so I listen to the local radio station, 104.7 John Jay and Rich in the morning, and they have this Healthe Trim diet that they promote. These things drive me crazy, because I think- yea its great that you are 51 years old and lost 26 pounds in 5 weeks (even though that is a little extreme) but you had to take 5 "natural" pills to do it! what happens when you stop taking the pills buddy??? I am not going to lie, I looked into Healthe Trim, the bottles have 100 pills and are 60$, if that guy is taking 5 in the morning, and 3 at night he is paying for a bottle almost every 9 days! that is just absurd. What ever happened to good ole fashion work. I work out everyday (almost everyday) and I eat healthy, and learning to live this lifestyle at 23 won't ever let me get to your point mister 51. But when those pills stop working, and you continue to eat the way you always have, because you didn't learn to change your lifestyle, just took a pill that filled you up- you are gonna be screwed, once again. it just erks me that people always bag on "having to count points" when they are taking about their food plan system, protein shakes, or "all natural energy" pills... what happens when you take those away from people? when they have to go out into the real world without their pre-portioned meals, and protein shakes... they fail... granted, I am using generalization, maybe for some people they can live the rest of their lives that way, or they just needed a jump start to get the weight off and they will keep it off, but it just seems that in the end those people will lose. I truly believe Weight Watchers is one of the only sure things because its a new lifestyle... but thats just my opinion, and good thing this is my blog so I can say it!

Best Friends For Life- Biffle!

So just a little update on the WW stuff, yesterday was weigh in. Surprisingly I was down 3 more lbs to get to over 10% of my body weight lost! =D I might not do it as fast as they do on the Biggest Loser, but I feel like a big loser reaching that goal! It makes it a total of 14.8 lbs! I think I am going to make my goal weight where I am so I can start maintenance and then become a lifetime member! =D

Today, I want to talk about how I am thankful for my mom. My mom IS my best friend. She loves me exactly how I am. She is encouraging, loving, genuine, interested, gives me the right amount of space with the right amount of discipline. She always knows what the say and when to say it. She is just, amazing. We have so many fun memories together. One thing that I will never forget is growing up when beanie babies were really awesome, one day I came home from school and I had the frog one hanging out on my faucet in my bathroom. It was one of the best surprises! She always does that, she knows people, and she knows how people feel loved and so that is what she does for them. My 18th birthday, senior year of high school, she went into my dance class and decorated everything in Finding Nemo and make my favorite rice crispie treats with sprinkles! My last birthday, 23rd, I had take on a princess persona. I dont know why, it just happened, honest... Well when I went over there for my birthday dinner, she had pink princess stuff everywhere! It was so much fun, to feel like a princess and little kid again, and it was so much fun to have her do that for me! I am thankful for the friendship my momma and I have. We had been through a rough road almost two years ago (can't believe its been that long...)but that road made our bond so strong, I have been forever blessed by that. I am thankful for being able to call my mom, biffle- because we are Best Friends For Life. I am thankful for everything about you momma.

xoxoxo

The Good Stuff

Ok, I know I just posted a blog less than 3 seconds ago, but that one was a little more profound than this one and it didn't seem right to continue on with this one.

As a reflection from my last blog I do want to say, I hope one day, my blogging skill will develop so the stories I tell will have meanings that people will find helpful in their lives. I hope to eventually bring comfort, laughter, hope, faith and love to people who could randomly find my blog among the scrolls of others.

But here is my big story for the week:So we had weigh in on Wednesday. I was up .8! I was not very happy... This challenge is starting to become a competition. This healthy idea, is start to be a dirty game. This numbers game, which for me is not as drastic as it could be for others, but this numbers game is not what I want it to be about, but the fact is: it is...

or at least it was!

This morning I knew I would have to wear jeans today because it dropped 20 degrees in the last two days here in Arizona. So I already had in mind which ones. They are some jeans that I had bought last christmas with my then roommate, and at my then weight. They were, for lack of a better term, my big girl jeans. They were baggy but not too baggy but I always knew I could fit in them. Well, as you all know, summer in Arizona is hot... and I mean HOT! So I had just been wearing dresses all the time. So my pants were sadly neglected, well a couple months ago when I went to put on my big girls jeans they were a little snug! And even worst, my favorite pair of jeans that I had bought when I had lost a significant (for me) amount of weight a few summers ago, could barely make it above my hips! I was mortified... I was saddened, and disgusted. Well this morning, with bedhead still settling, and sleep in my eyes I grabbed for my jeans, I pulled them up and they fit pretty nice. Not too tight, Not too loose, but very comfortable.

Much to my surprise, not only had my big girl jeans gone back to their original fit, the length has shrunk a good 6inches (when you are as short as I am, and you buy nice, good *expensive* jeans they are always TOOOOO LOOOOOOOONG) When I looked down guess what I saw?!!?

THEY WEREN'T MY BIG GIRL JEANS....THEY WERE MY FAVORITE JEANS!!!!!!!!!!!

In that moment, it wasn't about a number. It was about my goal. My goal to fit into my clothes again, my goal to feel better about myself. My goal to be excited about my clothes again. I'm not going to let this challenge become a competition. I'm not going to let my healthy idea become a dirty game. I am going to be happy with my progress. I am going to make good decisions, and sometimes eat a cookie and not feel bad about it. This morning was a result. It was the good stuff I have been waiting for.

Just one of those weeks....

Is there a dark dreary rain cloud hanging over my head? Because that is sure what it feels like! And, to top it off I am a zombie today! Stayed out late for Krista's birthday last night, and I have decided I am too old to be doing that kind of stuff if I have to wake up by 6 every morning! I am seriously just starting to get some kind of energy, and I have been awake for almost 6 hours!! But, it was fun!

Well, I can't beat around the bush too much longer. We did weigh in today, and I gained .4oz Ok, I know this isn't horrible, and I know that those big numbers I was posting wouldn't last but I just really really never wanted to be + an amount. It is a little discouraging, but I am not going to let it stop me! I just need to start eating a little more to make sure I am getting in all my nutrients, especially milk, always forget about that one! And I really need to start upping my exercise. So does anyone want to either, go to school for me, or pay me to live so I don't have to work so I can get that exercise in. I feel like I am going non-stop all the time. Its like Monday-Friday I am on from 6am Monday morning until 5pm Friday night. I know I have a big break on campus, and I truly do need to take advantage of it, but I feel like I am losing out on my true Me Time. Im either working, school, sleeping, friends or the most needy of them all, the Boyfriend. And, I love love love spending time with him and all my friends and family but I feel like I am starting to lose my balance...

I don't want to fall down.

Ooo Pictures!

OO I forgot, I took a picture of it! Because, I like to see pictures of food I am making! So I wanted to make sure everyone else had that too! This is for the recipe below for Katelynn's Afternoon Quesadilla!

Love yah!
xoxoxo

Week 2 Weigh In!

Hello Friends!

Well week two weigh in happened today and I am pleased to say I lost another 3.2 lbs! I was shocked! But, I know that these huge results won't keep happening but it is a great motivator to me because I am feeling better and better about myself. One area that I know I need a lot of focus on is my exercise! I don't get out to do stuff as much as I wish I did! And this last week I was barely out of my apartment studying for midterms! But I was wondering, anybody have ideas of fun things that can get you active!? The weather is soooo nice right now I want to start doing more outside, and stuff that won't cost a ton of money! I know Hiking, riding bikes, things like that... I guess I want to know what some people do to have fun that doesn't feel like exercise but is! Also, I made a great new recipe today! I was thinking I might start posting things up here that are weight watcher recipes or ideas in case anyone that is reading is interested or just wondering what I am doing!

Its so true, that when you are trying to get healthier, or Diet (ps.. to me Weight Watchers is the furthest thing from a diet) you always eat the same thing or do the same thing. But with weight watchers, you can eat whatever the heck you want too! IT IS UP TO YOU! Just stay within your points! (if anyone has any questions, comment I can explain more)

Katelynn's Afternoon Quesadilla:

Ingredients:
1 Carb Balance Whole Wheat Fajita Tortilla (Mission)
1/2 Light Swiss Laughing Cow Cheese (I live by these, usually have 3 or 4 in my fridge at all times)
1 Tbspn of Salsa (I used homemade Green Tomatillo salsa because I had some)
1 Chicken Breast
1 Tbspn Red Pepper Oil Olive
1 Tpsn EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1/4 Yellow Pepper
1/4 Red Pepper
1 tpsn Light Sour Cream

Start by putting your chicken breast in a skillet at medium heat.
I drizzled the Red Pepper Olive Oil over the chicken and seasoned it to taste (I used McCormick- Montreal Chicken Spice)
I used about 1/2 tbspn of the EVOO on the skillet as well.
While I was grilling the chicken; I washed and cut the yellow and red bell peppers into long strips.
Once the chicken was cooked all the way through I cut it in half and shredded one half of the chicken and put the other half in the fridge.
Then I put the Yellow and Red bell peppers and chicken back into the skillet and sauteed them together with the other 1.5 tbspn off EVOO

While the chicken and peppers were in the skillet, I spread the Whole Wheat Tortilla with the Laughing Cow Cheese and heated it up in the microwave for 30 seconds (that might have been too long, I will probably do like 20 or 15 next time). When I took the Tortilla out I spread the salsa on top of the melted, heated tortilla.

Once the chicken and peppers were cooked to my liking (a little crispy on the chicken, and some dark edges on the peppers) I put the mixture on top of the tortilla. And to top it off I used about a tbspn of Light Sour Cream!

This was a great meal and it really filled me up! It started off as an idea for a chicken quesadilla and then it just grew but you will be sooo surprised at how many points it is!!!

Point Value: 4!!!

Ok here is how:
The Tortilla is only 1 point!
1/2 Laughing Cow Cheese, 1 Tpsn of Salsa and a Cup of Bell Peppers aren't anything
The Chicken is 3 points for 4.5 oz but I had only half of that so its technically 1.5 but I just count 2 points (Always better to overestimate)
And then the sour cream was 1 point!

And here is another thing... I really didn't need the sour cream it just sounded good so I went for it!

Hope this helped somebody out! If not, and you are reading all the way down this way, God Bless your heart! =D

Thanks for all the support!

kk
xoxoxo

One Week

Well it has been one week on weight watchers and today I weighed in! I have lost.... Dun Dun Dunnnnnn.... 4.2 pounds! I am beyond excited because I did it all on my own! Making good choices! I know that much weight lose every week won't happen but it was great to see a result. I just thought I would let you all know! <3

Well, here it is...

Ok so, I am going to put it all out there. I started Weight Watchers this week. I know some people may say, why the heck did you do that?! Or, you don't need to lose any weight!! And I know, I know I am very blessed and lucky because weight has never been a huge issue that I have had but for me, it is still an issue. I want to have a healthier lifestyle and feel comfortable in my own skin. I have always been someone with great confidence and I can honestly say I have never felt super self conscious in my own skin, but as of late, I have. I have found myself really beating myself up not because of a number but because of my energy level, the way my clothes fit (or don't) and just plain and simple, I am not comfortable!! I know I am not the only who feels this way sometimes, and truly its not about the number on the scale. Its not like I have to weigh a certain amount for me to feel comfortable but I want to fit into my jeans again, not wear dresses because I have too but because I want too. Or that my "fat" jeans are my tight jeans now!! I'm really sorry if it sounds like I am complaining, but these are my feelings right now, and I want to put them out there! Oo and its a support system, my mom and sister both started as well so we can all do it together. Its a great feeling to have really put a start to this and hopefully change these decision I have to consciously make into a healthier lifestyle. I am really starting to realize that what I do to my body now will have a huge affect on how I am when I am older and it would be better to get this under control now than later! thanks for listening. and if anyone else needs that extra push, I am here for you!! love you xoxoxo