Thursday, December 23, 2010

Exceeding your own expectations

With just a few hours left in my 28 day challenge I ask myself, what will tomorrow bring? Will I be able to adhere to such a lifestyle change or will I default into old familiar patterns? How will my friends and family react to continuing on with my current eating habits? Will I let them down? Will I let myself down?

All these questions had me nervous, (yes, that does happen to me) but I over analyze things to death.  My journey the last 28 days has definitely been a challenge, specially with all the traveling out of state and missing two meeting sessions. A challenge definitely worth it. It's true. I'm making this mandatory for everyone..get on board!

It wasnt just about the food for me, though that played a major role. It was about succeeding and proving other people wrong. It was about showing people that it CAN be done and it CAN feel good to accomplish something so many are against. It was about breaking bad habits and figuring out what I NEEDED as opposed to what I WANTED. It taught me alot about myself and habits I had that I didnt really know I had. Anyone ever seen Eat Pray Love? I went on my own journey and got to know myself  and my body better than before. My body says thank you, yours will too.

I had to answer many questions like.."why now" and my response was why not now? I mean its easy to do it any other time of year, now is the challenge with all the extra treats and gifts of food. If I had a nickel for every time someone said, well I couldnt do it, gotta give you props, I would be a rich rich girl (and writing this from some exotic beach). Everyone CAN do it, you just have to WANT to. Most people dont have the WANT TO part down.

My goal is to continue eating this way (much to Davey's chagrin, though he did buy me a cookbook) because 1. It feels good. 2. It does taste good (despite what you may think) 3. I have personal goals to meet. 4. It makes people think about what THEY are eating. This is not to say that I will never indulge in something "sinful" (interpert that at your own discretion) and I'm definitely adding coffee back into the plan. Black please, with a tablespoon of agave, hold the creamer.

My advice to you as the new year approaches: Set a goal, tell someone (to hold yourself accountable), and do it. Love yourself enough to want to be better, do better and live better. Good Luck!!

Results of the 28 day challenge: Lost inches, lost weight, went down a whole pants size,  learned many valuable lessons and met a whole group of motivated ladies who have been the best part of the whole challenge.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Healthy Recipe

Part of the challenge in the 28 day challege (and there are quite a few) is the task of preparing your meals. In the beginning, I was just basically eating the same things, which of course is very boring, so I have been tryin to expand my tastes and look for other foods I enjoy as well.

It amazes me how resistant I was to so many other foods, (not really cause I'm pretty stubborn) but I wouldnt even try them because I didnt like them. How did I know I didnt like them, well in all honesty, I didnt. One of my personal challenges was to try something new and experiment. Davey even bought me a healthy cookbook, yeah I know, I couldnt believe it either. His word were "If you are going to be on this health kick now, then we might as well get a little variety in what we eat." My words were, "You are always welcome to fix your own dinner."

Through a couple of people I kept hearing about this spaghetti squash. I was like nah..that sounds like alot of work, I'm not sure how to do it, blah blah..I had several excuses saved up.( I mean how hard could it be, it comes with a sticker on it, telling you how to cook it) However, I did finally buy it. And I tried it. And I love it. Here's the recipe:
 
okay so for the spaghetti sauce part I mixed organic unsalted dice tomotatoes with organic unsalted tomato paste simmered it with garlic, green and red peppers and turkey meat and added a couple shakes of chili powder in it.

The "noodle" are from a squash. Spaghetti squash and you can get it at kroger. There are directions on there on how to do it. But I cut it in half, ( you have to remove the membranes like you would on pumpkin) put it in a glass dish with garlic cloves added. Turn the side you cut down, over top the garlic cloves, microwave it for about 10 minutes or until the sides push in easily when you grab it. then you take a fork and just scrap out the inside, it comes out looking exactly like spaghetti noodles and tastes good too.

You may add other spices you want to it, if you wanna spice it up, or add more flavor. Hope you enjoy!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Up Up and Go Away

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm outgoing, friendly, and usually a happy person. When I enter an airport..all that changes...I transform into an aloof, slightly irritated person. Anyone who flies frequently knows why.

Although airlines let you check in 24 hours in advance and "pick your seat" if available, you never know whom you will be sitting next too. My most recent journey to Seattle and back brought me both happiness and misery. On the connecting flight I had a lone seat (small plane)=happy. However on the other flight, I had a sick 2 year old on her mothers lap next to me.  (Yes if they are 2 and under they can sit on your lap) She wasn't just sick, she was wild with the ancy-panties..and I dont blame her. I mean she's 2 and has an attention span of like 5 seconds. Because there's not enough room to really sit her forward, what with the small space AND the tray table, she sits her kid to the side, where she kicks me the entire time. The mother made an effort to try and control the leg kicking..to no avail..the kid kept kicking. I was about to offer her a zip tie, but figured that would be rude. (yes I like kids and will have some one day-just not today) Not only was she over into my seat with her legs but she also kept coughing on me and coughing up the stuff kids cough up when they are sick (same thing as adults do just in smaller doses). She coughed all over my veggies..gross right? I placated myself with the thought..they are veggies and full of vitamins and minerals and hopefully they will keep you from getting sick. So far so good..(dont burst my bubble)

To be fair, the mom did make an effort to the best of her ability in such a confined space. Plus she can't help the kid is sick.And my beef is more with the airlines than anything. So I'd like to offer them some options:

*Make every person have their own seat~yes..I realize for families this isnt cost effective, however you arent the only one on the plane..you have other people to consider and those people dont like sharing their seat or being kicked. Plus it allows the child to be seatbelted in.

*If they have to be on a plane (and sometimes they have too~ I wouldnt want to travel 5000 miles in mini van with them either) then bring something for them to do. Coloring books, crayons, stories, games..whatever.  And please do not let them run up and down the aisle ways..thats how feet trip, heads hit the floor and the crying begins. Plus..its rude.

*A third, some say less viable option, is to put them in your carry on and stow them away...this takes care of the price of a seat and makes everyone happy on the plane..until the shrieking begins. But hey..thats what the $2 ear phones are for..right?

And there you have it....words of wisdom from someone not qualified to give it.

(Please note, that while I do have a serious gripe about the situation, this blog is meant for entertainment value and in no way should be taken seriously..except for that one part)

As always..thank you for tuning in.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Me Vs. 28 Day Challenge Day 2...

As the party is getting ready to start, I see temptation and its friends lurking around the corner..but I'm ready for it. I unsheath my sword, preparing for battle. Temptation heads towards me first, with an elbow to his face, he falls back, but isnt quite down..Apple pie advances on me, I swing my sword and cut right through him, apparently he's used to being 'sliced'. So I round house kick him down the stairs where he turns into scrambled apple pie and is down for the count. My frenemy, Alcohol circles me, awaiting just the right opportunity, feints to the right, but I already know what he's going to do, see we've known each other for quite some time. I punch him right in the gut, he bends over and I pick him up and body slam him. His life force drains slowly into the floor...Snickerdoodle cookie screams...he's taunting me while Temptation is considering his next move...Snickerdoodle moves first and I slice him with sword, he falls and goes down. I stomp on him til he's nothing but cinnimon crumbles..Temptation runs for me and I drop kick him back into the wall and he's a goner...I sheath my sword...shew...intense 45 minutes of workout right there. I prepare myself for the day they strike again, for I know, they will be back.

Least..that's the story I'm going with...I have a flair for the dramatic, who woulda thought. Today is the start of Day 4 and me and my team of accountablility partners and some others in our group are rocking it out. We all have great support. Til next time...

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

In case some people have forgotten:

In case some people have forgotten, it's not okay to be stupid. Ignorant maybe..but do you know the definition of the meaning of ignorant?

Ignorant~lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned.

It has several other similiar meanings as well, but that's basically the gist of it. With all the world wide web of convenient knowledge we have available to us, why are we still stupid?

In my line of work I deal with alot of patients. Some of them are chiropractic patients and some of them are patients of another facility that we assist. Regardless of what doctor you actually see..the same rules apply.

*If you have a stomach virus and have been throwing up all morning, don't bring that crap into my office, I am after all a chiropractic office and do not prescribe medication.  If its so awful and you can do nothing but complain about it..think about that..why pass those germs on to me and the rest of the staff/patients in the office. Reschedule your appointment.

*If I ask you how old you are...its not "about 55". You can't be "about" anything in age, you either are 55 or your not. If your birthday is tomorrow and you turn 55 tomorrow, then you are currently 54.

*If I am giving you an eye exam and I ask you to read the smallest line on the chart, that you are most comfortable reading, and you complain that you cant see the small line..what does that tell you? That its not comfortable for you to read and move up a line on the chart.

I thought some things were common sense in this world, obviously I was mistaken, and will automatically assume you are stupid unless proven otherwise.