Health Issues, Exercise, and the Holidays

Just letting everyone know I've been having a few health issues the last few months and hope to get back to blogging soon. Hope everyone has a nice Christmas and New Year. Please stop back after the holidays. I can't exercise too much right now...doctors order, but I really hope I can get all this straightened out.

From our house to your house...Happy Holidays! I will try to visit everyone's blog in the New Year.

Wow! It's Been a Month

Sorry, I didn't realize I haven't posted for a whole month. I've never slacked so much on my blogs.

Health Issues: I've been going through some health issues. In August I had my gallbladder removed, which I'm so glad I did. I hardly ever have heartburn anymore. It was so severe at times I couldn't stand it. I was taking over the counter heartburn meds everyday. Now I hardly ever take them. Hooray!

On another note, I was dealing with feet problems before that. I got my left foot fixed up and now my right foot has been causing me all kinds of problems. I went for a x-ray and then a MRI. Well, the orthopedic said I have arthritis developing in my right foot probably brought on from foot surgery I had a good while ago. Well, I'm having a hard time excepting that so am going to get a second opinion in a week or so. It's not that I don't believe him as much as I don't want to except this conclusion, although I may have to. Unfortunately, my foot burns so bad on the bottom sometimes it's hard to walk, and I don't want to give up my volunteer work walking dogs for the animal shelter. So, a second opinion is the way to go. At least I need to know how to keep it under control so it doesn't get worse.

Exercise: Well, I've been doing some dog walking and love spending time with these animals. That being said, I only do that a couple of times a week, and when my foot hurts really bad I need to find other avenues to take when it comes to exercise. I went out last week and bought some of those stretch bands. Haven't taken them out of the box yet, but I really do intend to. With that being said, I only lost about 2 lbs. but as always, losing even a small amount is better than none at all. Right?

If anyone has any suggestions on what type of exercise to do that will take the strain off my feet, please let me know. Also, any tips on arthritis of the foot will be helpful and appreciated.

Some Suggestions from Others I've Learned: Well, I've asked several people since the doctor said I have arthritis and some people suggested these tips to help:
New Balance Shoes: I've found a site on the Internet but haven't bought any yet. Go here to New Balance to find a store close to you. Just type in your zip code and the closet store will come up.
Dr. Scholl's shoe inserts: I went to Wal-Mart to use that foot machine you stand on and then it recommends the type of insert you will need. This site HERE explains it. They are a little bit pricey but for the comfort, and if you can barely walk, it's worth the price you pay I guess. I guess it's half the price at a doctors office. At least that's what someone told me.
Cold Compresses: I've also been putting a cold compress on my feet when they burn and are inflamed, which seems to help temporary.

I guess everyone needs to find out what works best for them. Please make sure that you ask your own doctor about what to use. I'm not recommending anything, just saying what suggestions were told to me and things I've been trying.

An Update ...

Just a quick update and why I haven't been blogging lately. As you know I've been trying to lose weight and not being very successful at it at the moment. Anyway, I figured since I was having a hard time pushing myself to exercise and the fact that I love dogs, I decided to start volunteering at an animal shelter a few days a week. It keeps my mind off the food, so it helps me, and it helps the dogs by walking them and spending time with them.

I knew I'd enjoy working with the dogs because it doesn't matter what breed they are, I just love them. I was really worried I would have a hard time leaving them once there, and even though that part is hard, it's wonderful knowing that you are making their lives a little bit better in a way. I wasn't prepared for how much I would enjoy it. I absolutely love working with them. They are so sweet and you get to hear their stories. Makes you want to take them all home.

So, anyway, that's what I've been up to. I have lost a pound and a half. Not much but I'm working on it everyday. Well, not really, I'm working on it when I visit the dogs. But, that being said, it is getting me motivated to start to do more things and that's gotta be a good thing. Right? The more I get moving the more I want to move and hopefully it will get me kick started to get into some kind of exercise routine.

Heck! I don't even mind getting soaking wet like I did the other day to spend time with the dogs at the shelter. It's worth it. So, If you have some extra time to spare, maybe you can volunteer at your local animal shelter. I know some of you say well I can't do it because I won't want to leave them there. To that I say, just remember your doing it for them. It's better to spend time with them for a little while than none at all. And, who knows those of you who are trying to lose weight and get fit and healthy may just find yourself losing a little bit of weight in the bargain.

Here's just a couple sweet dogs at the shelter...
Daisy...

And, Woody...
but there are so many more. To see more at this shelter go here: Paws (photos taken by Paws)

Or visit your local shelter in your own area. All these animals are just waiting for loving homes.

Portobella Mushrooms and Exercise

Food: I just tried eating a hamburger on two large portabella mushrooms used as the bun, and I must say it was delicious. (I got this photo and some of the nutrition facts from this site.. What's Cooking America

These large mushrooms are excellent as the bun because they have 0% fat and only about 26 calories. A large mushroom from what I read on the Internet but can vary from site to site, has about 2 to 3 grams of fiber and about only 3 grams of carbohydrates. They are high in protein. So if you are watching carbs or calories they are wonderful. They are also great for people with diabetes who need to watch carbs.

The way I cooked mine up was to clean out the gills on the inside, then I put some butter in a skillet, browned them on both sides, and then added some apple cider vinegar to carmilize them a bit. It tasted great. You can also cook them by baking or grilling them too. Of course the butter I used will add some fat but it's better than eating a high carb roll. Next time I may try grilling or some other way of cooking them.

Exercise: I haven't been blogging much in the last week or so but hope to get back to it again like I was doing. As far as exercise I've been averaging about 2 to 3 days a week in the past several weeks. I'm feeling much better after my gall bladder surgery and I'm also hoping next week to exercise with some of my exercise tapes along with more walking. Next week is also the week I'll be going to take the training for volunteer at a animal shelter. I'm hoping by walking and spending time with the dogs it will help me lose some of this weight and get my mind off of food.

Recap: Also, I guess I missed week 16 of my postings all together and it's now week 17 on my journey to weight loss and getting healthy. As you can see not much has really changed much in my weight or exercise habits, but I keep moving along and I keep trying to change it. I can't believe that almost 4 months has gone by already since I said I was commiting to a year to change my eating and exercise habits and I'm basically still at the same weight I was when I started. This is a wake up call to get it together for me. What I've been doing so far isn't working right, so I need to change it. I will get back to you on that one.

Major Life Issue That Should be Addressed - Dogs Unchained

This woman is fighting to make it a law against chaining dogs up. She is chained at Harrisburg Capitol to Win Law for Abused Dogs. How would you like to be chained to a dog box all your life in all kinds of weather? Watch this video.

Last year I heard about a dog in our area who ended up with their paws frozen to the pavement and then died because someone left the poor dog out in the freezing cold. Let's help this lady get this law passed to Unchain the Dogs and give them all a better life.

Here's a quote that was sent to me in my email..."Dogs Need Change. Not Chains." is one of the taglines that drives Tamira Thayne's "Operation Fido Freedom." Thayne has made headlines by chaining herself to the PA State Capitol Building from 8:00 - 6:00 every day until SB 1435, a limiting chaining law, is passed in PA."

Even if you can't adopt a dog, please help pass this law by writing to your state Senator and urge others to contact their state Senator too and get this law passed to not chain dogs. Here's a website on Unchaining Dogs to find out more. Find out what you can do to help pass this law.

Also, check out this site Dogs Deserve Better


These photos on this website will shock you but you need to see them to help get this law passed. They are on the Dogs Deserve Better website or go directly to these photos Shocking photos of why dogs should be Unchained.

Exercised

I got my exercising in today again and walked 2 miles. Foot still hurting but I'm just hoping the pain goes away.

Exercised Today - Yeah!

I got out and walked this morning first thing before getting on the computer. I think I may have to forgo the computer in the morning until I get my exercising in. I walked a little over a mile and a half. Comes out to 1.6 of a mile to be exact. Now I'm hoping I can keep it up tomorrow and the next day, and the next, and so on.

It's the first major amount of time I've walked since my surgery. It's been about 3 weeks now, so I'm hoping that I can get back into exercising without a problem. Still worrying about my one foot but we'll have to wait and see how it feels.

My dog also got his one lap in which is only a quarter of a mile = to .4 of a mile. He is also overweight but he's a smaller dog and doesn't like to walk much.

Snacks That Take Longer to Eat / Exercise

I bought some cherries the other day at the grocery store and they were the best one's I've had in awhile. I like the darker cherries. Sit down and have a bowl of cherries for a great snack. You can eat these slowly because you have to worry about the pit. This will keep you away from other snacking and they have more nutrition value than junk food. Cherries have vitamins A, vitamins C and potassium. Some sites say that the darker the cherry the richer it is in antioxidants.

I found this nutrition label on cherries on the Internet...(I believe this is for sweet cherries).

A few tips on how to pick cherries at the grocery store...
1. Pick cherries with the stem still on them and they should be able to store in your fridge for up to 10 days.
2. Also avoid cherries with dark colored stems.
3. Cherries should be firm to the touch but not hard.

This snack not as nutritious as cherries but will last alot longer is the good ole Tootsie Roll Pop. If you're on Weight Watchers, they are only 1 pt. and they take along time to eat.


It's nice to have these on hand in the evening when you want something but aren't hungry or just don't want to blow your whole day when you did so well keeping on track. Add a cup of tea with either the cherries or the tootsie pop and it could last you enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Exercise: Just a quick note on my exercise. I did walk yesterday but only a quarter of a mile, .4 to be exact. I didn't walk longer because it started raining pretty good here. It's been just a little over 2 weeks now since I've had my surgery and now I want to start walking more. I'm gonna try to get back into a routine.

GoD And DoG by Wendy J Francisco

Thought I'd share this. I really liked what this video is saying.

Exercise Today - Maybe

This is my 2nd week after surgery. I haven't been doing much so today I may take a short walk. Thought I'd try to get going a little bit. I need to start getting this weight off. I'm still having trouble with my one foot which no one knows what's wrong with it yet. I bought a food tracker book to write everything down. I always start out the day with good intentions of tracking and by 3 pm or so, it always seems to fall to the waste side. Keep trying I guess, never give up.

I'll probably try and go to the farmer's market today to see if I can get anything healthy and try and start counting calories and/or points like Weight Watchers. I also have to lower my carbs because of diabetes, and also now fats since I had my gallbladder removed. Pretty soon I won't be able to eat anything.

About six of us girls started our own weight loss group last week and are trying to commit to losing 10 lbs in 10 weeks. 10 in 10. We are just trying to motivate each other and give each other tips and tricks to staying in control over food and exercise. We'll see if a new group helps me out any. It maybe just what I need since not much else is helping.

National Spay/Neuter Awareness Week / Exercise

I belong to a Inspirational book group and a lady there started to suggest we do a little bit more to help make life better for someone whether it be a women's shelter, working with animals, working with the homeless, working with children, an aging home, or whatever it be, everyone could use your help in these times of trouble. Even if it's just one at a time, it matters to that one.

I had thought about it alot before it was ever mentioned but I guess now it's time to do somthing. The timing feels right now. Put my money where my mouth is so to speak. Plus, I have a little bit of extra time when the kids are in school to now help out elsewhere. Make a difference.

I thought about where I'd like to spend my time to volunteer and have always loved animals of all kinds and especially dogs. So, I recently started the process of volunteering at a animal shelter. The animals that don't get put into foster homes have to stay at the shelter in a cage all night. These animals spend at least 10 hours in their cages and can't get out to go to the potty or have human contact in those hours. I figured I could make their lives better at least by spending time with them and walking them. Getting them out to potty or whatever needs to be done. It will probably be several more weeks before I get started but I'm looking forward to it.

This Saturday is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Week and I would like everyone to please get your dog or cat spayed or neutered. This helps these poor animals from being put down if no one adopts them. And, if you can adopt an animal, please think about a shelter dog. I've adopted several animals over the years at adoption centers and they all are loving animals. The older animals are always harder to get someone to adopt them, but trust me, they make wonderful pets and you don't have to go through the puppy stage. They are are already potty trained. The one's I've adopted have been older like a year to three years old. I would consider older dogs too that can't get adopted. Heck, if I had alot of land I'd probably have a herd of dogs but unfortunetly, I don't have space for that many. So, I can help in other ways.

Please watch this video about adoption week. Go to International Homeless Animals

Here's my dog, Tucker, I adopted about seven years ago. He was about a year and a half old when I first adopted him.


In the past I've adopted several others who have sadly passed away but brought years of joy to our lives. I've had a Beagle, German Shepard, Huskies, Border Collie and several others. Even if you can't adopt, think about volunteering at your local shelter and help better the lives of these lonely animals. If you can only help one dog or cat, it's one, and it means alot to that one.

I've read that the shelters also would love donations and not just money. Some shelters also need cages, pet food, blankets, collars, leashes, etc. Call your local shelter to find out what they maybe in need of.

And, after all that you may ask; What does all this have to do with exercise? Think about it...What not multi-task? Help out an animal and also get your walking in. This will help both of you. This way if you volunteer you have to be committed to the dogs and you get your exercise in. No excuses as to why you can't do it. Even if you volunteer for something else, you are committed to being there and this will help your weight loss efforts too.

Exercise after Surgery - Movie - Books - Volunteering - Weight

Exercise: Here's my new update on my exercise since surgery. It's only been nine days since I had surgery to get my gallbladder out. I walked this morning and yesterday for about a 10 min. walk. I know it isn't much but it's a start.

Movies: I went to see Eat, Pray, Love, yesterday and really enjoyed it as a movie. All the whinny stuff was cut out of it. You can't go wrong with Julia Roberts playing in a movie so she makes it interesting.

Sometime this weekend we may go see The Expendables with Sly Stallone, B. Willis, and all the other macho guys who play in it.

I guess while I'm healing it's been a movie kind of weekend.

Books: Now onto books. What's everyone reading? Since I still can't do alot of twisting movements, I am reading (and watching movies). What else can you do? Anyway, I started the book called "The Quickening" by Michelle Hoover. I have several other books lined up, like Nancy Grace's book, Half-Broke Horses, and several others.

Volunteering: I guess this could also be in the exercise section but it's a new topic for me. The other day I felt this compelling need to voluteer at our local dog shelter. So I sent out a email and you have to go through alot of hoops just to volunteer. I figured I could go walk the dogs and do some little extra things here and there that need done. Mostly spend time with the animals to keep them company. Seems you have to take a training course to do this. I walk my dog everyday, but who knows? You need to also fill out forms, and sign you won't hold them accountable for anything that may go wrong. I thought volunteering would be easy. I figured I could help the animals by walking or taking care of them, and also helping myself with some exercise with knowing I have to be there to walk them. My dog doesn't like to walk much. So, I guess I will wait and see what happens.

Review on Weight Loss: One last thing...It's been 13 weeks now since I said I'd commit to losing weight and getting healthy. I gained 4 lbs in 3 months and lost 4 lbs in 3 months, so I am now just even after 3 months. I can't believe 3 months has gone by already. Wow! Since then I've been dealing with foot problems and gallbladder surgery. My one foot feels great now, I'm still dealing with the other foot. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything about losing weight and getting healthy. Argh! Hopefully, the next 3 months will be better.

Weight Loss - Movies - Books

Weight Issues: I got weighed this past Wed. and I'm down 4 lbs. Nothing like having surgery to make you lose weight. The only thing is I'm hoping that I don't put it back on. How much does a gallbladder weigh anyway? Well, who knows for sure? All I know is 4 lbs is 4 lbs and I'm glad I lost.

I'm feeling much better after surgery but the incisions (especially belly button one) is still a little bit sore.

I still can't exercise full force yet. Not allowed according to doctors orders. I can start walking more now though. I did notice I haven't been getting as much heart burn as I did before getting my gallbladder removed. But, on the other hand, I'm not eating exactly as I was yet either. I did eat pizza yesterday. Thought I'd give it a try. Well, not again for awhile. It didn't give me heartburn like usual but I did have a rough time. My heart was beating fast and I felt stomach sickness. May have to hold off on the hard stuff awhile longer.

I was supposed to go to a diabetes group this evening but totally forget about it. Hopefully next month.

Now onto Movie and Book Issues: I'm really not sure how the book "Eat, Pray, Love" ever became a best seller. I tried reading it months ago, and couldn't do it, then because our book group is reading it I gave it another try. I am almost done with it. For me it was okay but nothing spectacular. I'm thinking this book is going to be better as a movie. I'm hoping to go see the movie this weekend. Since Julia Roberts plays in it, I'm sure it will be good. Well, at least I hope so. Anyone else going to see it?

Cookbook: And, while we're on the topic of books I got a new cookbook on Wed. One of the churches in our area put it together with a bunch of recipes including some healthy recipes. I'm hoping to try some of them out. If I really like some, I'll take a photo and post them here.

Almost a Week After Surgery

Well, I had surgery last Wednesday and today is Tuesday. So, it's been almost a week since my surgery. Seems like yesterday I was all worried and getting wheeled in to the operating room.

I'm still having soreness which is understandable. I have four incisions in my stomach area and the one that bothers me the most is the one in my belly button. The doctor said that's where the camera went in. Then there are three other incisions where the instruments went in to get the gallbladder out. My incisions are starting to feel really itchy which is a good sign that they are healing. I still can't soak in water so I have to take a shower and then make sure the water is totally off my skin.

This week I couldn't drive because of surgery, but I can start driving again tomorrow. I guess because they don't want you twisting with the steering wheel. I haven't been taking much at all for pain as it really wasn't that painful except the first 3 or 4 days. And, then I wouldn't say painful. Mostly just a hard time moving around without it hurting.

I can't do any vigorous exercise yet. The only thing I'm allowed to do is some light walking. I have orders not to do anything with twisting and bending for at least two weeks. Then I have to start out slow and see how I feel.

Once I get healed then I have to start my exercise routine and get healthy. This is what you get when your unhealthy. Alot of organs that don't work properly.

On a good note, I have lost 4 lbs. since surgery. Although, that could have been because for the first day and a half I was on a liquid diet. I can't say for sure yet, since I haven't been quit eating like I was before the operation, but I haven't been having severe heartburn like I was before the operation. I am praying that having my gallbladder out takes away my heartburn. It's not a guarantee that it will, but I'm hoping.

So, for now, I've been catching up on my reading. Right now I'm reading, "Eat, Pray, Love". Anyone else reading it? Are you going to see the movie this weekend when it comes out? Julia Roberts plays in it. I want to start reading Nancy Grace's new book coming out today or tomorrow called, "Death on the D-List". Anyone watch Nancy and have you read her first book yet? This new book is a 2ND book with some of the same characters as she had in "The Eleventh Victim".

Other than that, I've made a few meals on the grill and haven't really been cooking much. Well, I'll report back here in a few days to my update. Hope everyone else's weight loss and exercise plans are going well.

Update on My Gallbladder Surgery

Surgery/Recovery: I had gallbladder surgery done on Wednesday morning and had to stay in the hospital one night. Out on Thursday. It's been going pretty well for the most part with recovery. Not in alot of pain yet.

After surgery I had alot of dizziness and was in recovery room a tad longer than expected. After I was getting over that, I was moved to my room. Had to have the leg compressors on while in bed just to keep from getting clots. I also have to use a breathing gadget to keep the lungs expanded after surgery. Just a precaution I guess everyone does. It helps get the air out of the lungs (I think).

The only problem I had after surgery was a major heartburn sensation. That was from the gas they give you while you're in surgery. The only way to mostly get rid of it is to walk so it gets the gas/air moving so you can burp and leave gas at the other end. (For lack of a better way of putting it.) That gets rid of the heartburn.

It's now Friday and I have some chest pain with tightness but not real bad. I'm sore in the four incisions they did while in surgery but not too bad. It isn't as bad as I anticipated. I have to walk a little bit each day to make sure I keep the blood moving in my legs so I don't get any blood clots. So overall not too bad.

I've had worse surgeries. Maybe that's why I can say it's not too bad. When I had open heart surgery that was far worse.

Well, back to this one. You can't sleep on your stomach but since I hate sleeping on my stomach anyway, that's not a problem. I like sleeping on my side which is somewhat a problem getting into that position with the cuts from surgery. A little painful. Probably for about a week I'll be sleeping more on my back. And, then in about four weeks I have a checkup with the doctor to make sure all is going well.

I'm just glad it's over. I had gallstones but the doctor said he didn't take it out so much for that, it was that my gallbladder was only working 17% which is basically not working at all. He didn't want me to end up with alot of other problems that bile can cause if it goes into the other organs. You can look up all about the bile (toxic in other body parts) on the Internet. Just type in gallbladder bile. I may have some trouble eating foods now with fat in for awhile which may give me diarrhea for several months afterward, but this is just a possibility. I've been watching what I eat right now, but I haven't been eating much since it's only been two days now since I had surgery. Not all patients have this problem with fatty foods, so I'll just have to wait and see I guess.

(Just want to add here, that this is my experience only so please make sure you ask your own doctor if anything like this happens to you.) I think everyone is a little different in their experiences.

Needless to say I can't exercise at all (except a little bit of slow walking) for about two weeks. When I say slow walking, I mean slow. I feel like I'm walking at a snails pace.

I guess I should add which I don't think I mentioned before why I went to the doctors in the first place and why they found this. I was having extreme stomach bloating, which can be one of the symtoms. I was also getting side pain (grant it, it was the left side and should have been the right side but they can't explain that one.) You're gallbladder is on the right side, but they said who knows sometimes what a bad gallbladder or anyother organ for that matter will cause when theirs something wrong with it.

Anyway, that's my update on surgery and recovery.

Gallstones and Surgery

Well, I'll be getting my gallbladder removed this week due to gallstones. This is what causes gallstones and I quote, "The most common triggers for gallbladder attacks are caffeine, chocolate, eggs, dairy products (especially ice cream) and greasy or deep fried foods." Pretty much everything I've been eating over the last several or more years. I found this information on this site here: Gallstones I'm definitely hoping for a quick recovery so I can get serious about my diet and weight loss. With weight issues, health issues sure does become a problem. This photo

also from this site shows the gallbladder and it has some really good info on this site.

I found this other photo

of a gallstone on this site here and also all about gallstone symptoms. I'm posting this photo because some of these photos with alot of gallstones just plain gross me out.

This is why when you're overweight you really need to lose and get healthy. I need to ward off all these problems associated with my bad eating habits.

I have also read through numerous other sites that 35%-75% function is normal for the gallbladder. Mine is functioning at only 17% which my doctor says pretty much isn't functioning at all. If your gallbladder stops working properly it can rupture and cause all kinds of other problems.

So, needless to say, Bye, Bye, Gallbladder.

Farmers Market = Fresh!

I went to the Farmers Market this morning in Bellefonte.

I love the new location. It's by the Gamble Mill and the parking is free. Most parking meters are set up to no longer take dimes and now are only taking quarters. Sometimes I don't have a quarter and need to worry about not having change with me to feed the meter. So, I just don't go in town to do things much. I feel they lose business by doing this. Maybe if parking was free all around people would go shopping. Who wants to come out to find a ticket on the windshield? I know I don't. Okay, Now that my rant is over back to the Farmer's Market.

While there I bought a zuchinni for .75 cents and four cucumbers for $1.00. How many grocery stores can you walk out of and pay only $1.75 for these? None that I know of.



And, You know what the best part is? They're fresh! You know it came out of someone's garden and you don't have to worry about how long it's been stored in someone's truck getting old or collecting germs from other products when there has been other foods in there.

Fresh! Fresh! Fresh! Love the local farmers selling their stuff. I can't wait for the watermelons to come.

I thought I'd also tell you it wasn't only about fruits and vegetables. I also picked up a few free recipes, they were selling a canning book, and you could even have a taste of some of the products. Just like going to Sam's club and getting a sample before you buy. Someone else was selling homemade soap, and you could even buy a T-shirt. And, it doesn't even stop there. I talked to one lady selling homemade pastas like ravoli and someone selling meats. I didn't order any yet, but I will I'm sure. I gotta tell my son about the bison meat, he loves it.

For you local's out there. It's set up on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 12 noon. Check it out. And, if you're not local, I'm sure you can find a Farmer's Market near you. It's fresher and cheaper.

National Dance Day

Did you know that Saturday, July 31st is National Dance Day? Your suppose to get out and dance. It's a way to recognize dance as a form of exercise and to get healthy. If you want to find out more about it you can go to Fox National Dance Day to see if there's something near you. Unfortunately for me there isn't.

And, if you can't get out to dance somewhere just dance in your living room.

A good way to burn off some calories.

Haven't Posted in Awhile - Health Issues - Decluttering

Health Issues: Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I just got my one foot healed up pretty good. They believe it was from a Planter's Wart on the bottom of my foot which she froze. It took two times but now my foot is feeling good.

That being said, my right foot is still hurting. After a x-ray not showing anything 3weeks ago, the doctor now believes it could be a stress fracture. There is no indication it is anything else. So, I will now have to go through another test. It's a bone scan for my foot kind of like the Hida test I just had done for my gallbladder. What they do is about the same thing by putting a radioactive dye into your system and then slowly scan the foot area to see how things are going.

This past week I had a Hida scan done about the same way to check my gallbladder function. The doctor said my gallbladder is only functioning about 17% and will have to come out. So needless to say I get to have surgery next week.

I'll have to then do the bone scan a few weeks after that to test to see if I have a foot fracture. If I do I may have to wear a shoe type cast or have a cast put on depending on what they want to do.

So, with all this I haven't been getting my exercise in and not eating so well either. Seems when I'm stressed I tend to eat more junk food. Once all this is healed up, I need to work on doing a food cleanse for my body.

Decluttering: Thought I'd let you know what I have been up to with my decluttering goals. If you want to see everything I've gotten rid of since Jan. of 2010, just scroll down to the bottom of this blog. But, yesterday I cleaned out some books and got rid of about 165 books. It feels good getting rid of this stuff that's taking up space. If you remember my goal this year is to get rid of clutter and to simplify what I have. That way I can find things easily. I'm tired of holding onto things or storing things that I hardly ever use or look at anymore.

Some of my next goals will be to clean out some cupboard space and get rid of some dishes and glassware. I also want to declutter my clothes that I hang onto just incase I'll get back into them. I say, the hell with it, I want to buy new clothes if I lose weight. I deserve it! Right?

Here's a few questions for you...
Do you keep your books that you've read or do you get rid of them? And, if you keep some, how do you decide on which one's to keep? Are they signed? Favorite author? Do you intend to read them again someday?

Do you keep clothes that you can't wear or do you just get rid of them? If you keep any of them, when do you decide you've kept them long enough? 6 months? A year? Longer?

Giveaway - Books

Just a reminder: that you only have about a week left to sign up for my book giveaway. It's called "Walking Down Life's Path". The giveaway ends on August 2nd. Please take a look at the post below for the details.


A memoir of a collection of short stories.

And, my sister's book giveaway "The Weeping Rose" ends Aug. 8th.

Her book is a poetry book with photos added to each poem.

We would love to have your reviews to see what you think.

Book Giveaway and Giveaway Scout Blog

I'm giving away two of my books called "Walking Down Life's Path"

on Goodreads The book is a memoir of bits and pieces of my life. Short stories that can be read fast and easily. Josh who has The Giveaway Scout site

has posted about it on his blog. Looks like a great site to check out lots of other giveaways you might like. I know I'm heading over there right now. If you want to see the widget for this giveaway blog, check out my sidebar on the right hand side. You can go to his site to add the scrolling bar to your own blog.

Also, while we're talking giveaways. My sister, Janet Foster, is also listing several of her poetry books

on goodreads. Her book is called "The Weeping Rose".

All you need to do is go to Goodreads giveaway and sign up for a chance to win. Don't forget that if you do win, we apprieciate your feedback and review on goodreads.

Just want to say thank you for taking the time to look at both sites and your interest in our books.

I'll update on my weight loss a little later on today or tomorrow.

Versatile and My Book Giveaway on Goodreads

It Pays To Be Versatile...



I have been nominated for a new award! Thanks to Two Sixty-Six (266) for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award!

First I thought I'd share The Dictionary definition of the word versatile
ver·sa·tile (vûrs-tl, -tl)
adj.
1. Capable of doing many things competently.
2. Having varied uses or serving many functions: "The most versatile of vegetables is the tomato" (Craig Claiborne).
3. Variable or inconstant; changeable: a versatile temperament.
4. Biology Capable of moving freely in all directions, as the antenna of an insect, the toe of an owl, or the loosely attached anther of a flower.

versatile
adjective
1. adaptable, flexible, all-round, resourceful, protean, multifaceted, many-sided, all-singing, all-dancing He stood out as one of the game's most versatile athletes.
adaptable limited, fixed, inflexible, unadaptable, one-sided
2. all-purpose, handy, functional, variable, adjustable, all-singing, all-dancing a versatile piece of equipment
all-purpose limited

As with all such accolades, this one has its own set of guidelines to follow:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate fifteen newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.

Hmmm… I'll try sharing at least several of the seven things about myself that maybe my readers don't know.

1. Let me start by sharing this with you. You may not have known I wrote a memoir book. Here's also the details of a giveaway for you to enjoy.

I know this site is more about weight loss but it's also a site I have for posting things about my life with everyday issues.

So, I debated about posting this here but then thought I'd give you a chance if you didn't know about my book to win it. I figured everyone likes a giveaway. I'm giving away two chances for you to win and you can click here Goodreads Giveaway to go directly there.



It's a collection of short stories of memoirs. You don't need to read this book in any particular order, as I didn't write it in any particular order. It's not like the typical book with a beginning and end. Like a said, it's a collection of shorter stories that can be read easily and quickly. It's a book sometimes made of life lessons and what I may have learned about them along the way. Some stories I hope you will laugh and others I just hope you enjoy reading them and maybe get a small message out of them.

I'm the type of person where I don't like to dwell in the past, if life throws you bad curves you have to get up, dust yourself off, and try over and over till you get it right. I guess this does fit in this blog since it's my life issues.

If you want to read the blurb about what this book is about you can go to my website here: Lulu

People listing books on Goodreads would like to receive reviews that's why they give them away on this site. You can read the rules on the Goodreads sidebar when you sign up to win books.

I am going to start working on another book which will either be a children's book or a fiction book. I have a couple topics in mind that I've been pondering.

Okay, now off to the other seven things about me to post.

2. I love skunks and used to have one for about five years. They make nice pets if you're allergic to cats and other animals. They have more like coarse hair instead of fur. That being said it is illegal in alot of states to own a wild skunk. Where I live you had to have a permit to own a skunk and they have to be adopted by a breeder who domesticates them. (I don't recommend going out to buy one unless you do your homework.) I always wanted one since I was a child and I knew alot about taking care of one before I got mine. I had to give mine away to another skunk owner due to work related hours. I feel they do need a companion.

3. Here's something more related to food. I play with my food when I am full on my plate and move it around side to side. My husband pointed it out to me. I didn't even think I ever realized I did that.

4. I hate to exercise but know I need to do it in order to lose weight.

5. It's hard for me to get rid of things but this year I committed to cleaning out my clutter of things I don't use anymore.

6. I love all types of animals and if I had lots of land (which I don't) I'd have alot of dogs running around. This would also give me exercise taking care of them and going on walks. But, I only have one dog right now.

7. Hmmm...I more thing about me. I used to hate to read when I was growing up except dog stories. Can you believe it? When I was in school I'd only like reading books relating to dogs. Now, I love to read. I've been reading books like crazy over the last three years.

Well, that's my seven things about me. And, now I leave you with 15 more bloggers that I passed the Versatile paton to. Please visit their blog when you get a chance.

Here's 15 more bloggers to read and enjoy! I'm hoping to be versatile in the one's I chose.

1. Cheri's Seasons of the Heart
2. Kelly 30 x 30
3. Ann-Less of Me
4. Shannon-The Me Within
5. Ms Bitch Cakes
6. The Fat Chick Weigh
7. 282Point5
8. A Deliberate Life
9. The 1972 Retro Experiment
10. Kathy's Life and Musings
11. Sunday Scrappin Meme
12. Sylvia From Over the Hill
13. Mrs. Nesbitt's Space
14. Tumblewords
15. Photo Wannabe

New Week, Vent, Decluttering, Exercise, All of It

Okay this is going to be a little about everything.

New Week/Exercise: Sunday started a new week for me with exercise. It's now Monday and no exercise. Still having problems with my feet but they feel a little better today. So I decided to do some decluttering and get rid of some more clutter of stuff I don't use anymore.

Onto Decluttering: I posted alot of stuff for giveaway on FreeCycle. If you go to yahoo and type in Freecycle you can find your location. All you do is join the list for your county and then post things you would like to giveaway for free or you can ask for things you want and hope you get someone who will give you something in return. I haven't requested anything yet because I'm trying to get rid of stuff. I gave alot of things away a few months ago.

Well, today and yesterday, here's all the stuff I got rid of...
· Old Typewriter
· 30 gal bag of men's clothes and shoes
· 30 gal. bag of women's clothes and shoes
· My 10 ft by 6 ft blow up pool.
· Childs plastic picnic table
· Small beach umbrella
· 2-30 gal. bags of toddler toys
· Lg. Patio umbrella
· Computer monitor

It feels great to know all of this stuff is out of the house but I still need to get rid of stuff I don't use. I really want a clutter free house this year. That's my goal along with losing weight, eating right, and exercising more.

Here comes the vent: Why do people tell you and practically beg you to hold something for them and then don't show up? It's free! How much easier is it to get stuff with that price? Again I say... FREE! Is it really too much to ask that if you ask me to hold something to pick it up? I am trying to declutter like I said and want to get rid of the stuff I am clearing out. Then someone seems like they really want it and then they either don't show up or say, Oops! I didn't really want it. This of course is after I tell the other people that it is spoken for.

Okay, done with my soap box. This is the kind of stuff that makes you go to the ice-cream cooler. Am I on Big Brother? Is there a saboteur?

Exercise and Food

Still in the no exercise zone due to feet problems. But on the bright side, my tomato and cucumber plants are almost ready in the garden. I love tomato sandwiches with mayo and pepper. And, cucumbers are a great snack. Since we're talking about tomatoes and cucumbers here's a few nutition facts I got from the Internet.

Cucumbers - Are made up of mostly water, a little over 90% according to one site. If you look at other site it varies. They all agree that's it's over 50% water though. It's a good source of vitamin C with a few other nutrients thrown in. Cucumbers are good for the digestive system and have a cleansing affect on the bowel.

And, the added benefit very low on calories. One cup is = to only 16 calories. Cucumbers are great on sandwiches or just slice them up and add some dill, a good snack.
Here's a recipe for a quick cucumber salad.

CUCUMBER ONION SALAD

1 large cucumber
1 medium onion
1 large tomato
zesty Italian dressing
wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Cut up cucumbers, onion, and tomato in small cubes. Salt and pepper as desired. Add 1 tbsp wine vinegar.
Add enough Italian dressing to cover (more or less to desired taste).
Great as a side dish for many meals.
Submitted by: Dee Chilton

Cucumber snack I got from this website: Cooks.com



Tomatoes - Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Also known to lower your chances of cancer.

Tomatoes come in at less than 30 calories per cup.

Here's a tomato recipe snack. I haven't tried it yet but it looks good.

Stuffed Tomato Snacks
Cherry tomatoes
(larger ones are easier to stuff)
Low-fat cottage cheese
Sunflower seeds
Wash the tomatoes and slice off
the tops. Scoop out the seeds and
pulp. Fill each tomato with cottage
cheese. Sprinkle sunflower
seeds on top.

(Sorry I forgot which site I found this on.)

And, if you want to combine the two...Use this recipe also from Cooks.com

EASY TOMATO/CUCUMBER SALAD

1 tomato
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
dill to taste

Dice tomato and cucumber into small cubes of desired size.
Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl.

Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, then serve.
Submitted by: Theresa S

Update: Still No Exercise

Thought I'd give you a quick update on my exercise routine. I still haven't been exercising because of my feet. If I had a exercise bike, I'd use that but I don't. Hopefully, I can get back into it soon. I feel so disappointed because I tried to start and now problems with my feet. I am working on getting it taken care of, got a x-ray the other day but still no one has gotten back to me with my results. Argh! I've already called at least three times. Anyway, will update again later.

New Week it's Sunday...Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone! I know you'll be having your BBQ's today. Keep it safe and don't eat too much side salads like macaroni or potato.

I thought I'd talk a little bit about watermelon today. I eat alot of watermelon in the summer and when you think picnics you probably have a tendency to think about watermelon.

I got a email this morning from South Beach Diet tips and it had in there that on the South Beach Diet you aren't to eat watermelon till phase 3. I always thought watermelon was the least calorie and thought of it as a good diet food. The reason they tell you not to eat much of it is because it can make your blood sugar levels rise faster especially if your diabetic and can cause cravings. A serving size is equal to one cup of watermelon chunks or one small wedge.

That being said it is still a good source of vitamin C. From the website Wikipedia"Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight."

I also got this information from the Wikipedia site that I didn't know. "Notable is the inner rind of the watermelon, which is usually a light green or white color. This area is edible and contains many hidden nutrients that most people avoid eating due to its unique flavor."

And...

"Watermelon rinds are also edible, and sometimes used as a vegetable. In China, they are stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled. When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum. Pickled watermelon rind is also commonly consumed in the Southern US. Watermelon juice can also be made into wine."

I guess I need to eat a little less of this fruit since it raises blood sugar levels. I was diagnosed with diabetes last year and have to control my blood sugar levels. I always looked at the watermelon as a safe fruit but I will need to look at other fruits a little bit more carefully too. Which goes to show you I guess we all need to do our research while trying to lose weight.

Exercise: On a side note I didn't do any exercise this week. When we went away last week to visit family for three days it totally threw me off my schedule. I guess you could say I making up excuses but it's the only one I have. When I go away I don't tend to exercise and when I came back I felt sluggish again. So this week it's back to my workouts!

Getting Back Into the Groove

Well, ever since I got back from visiting family members I can't seem to get back into the groove of exercising. We we're only gone three days this past weekend. Came back and haven't exercised at all this week. I did however went swimming in the pool when we were there twice if that counts. But, I really wasn't doing that much exercise.

The dog even had a hard time for a few days getting back into the groove. So, What's the matter when we go away for a few days to return to not being able to get back into the routine we were doing before we left?

I have to get back into exercising again and soon before I have to start all over again. Any suggestions? How do you return to your normal routine when you're away and return?

I did weigh-in on Wednesday and lost .2 of a pound. Not sure how I did it, but I'll take any loss I can get. It's better than gaining.

Frustrated/Annoyed/Gum -What do they have to do with food?

What does these two words have in common? ...Frustrated and Annoyed

From the Merriam dictionary/thesaurus webster site:

Frustrated

Main Entry: 1frus·trate
Pronunciation: \ˈfrəs-ˌtrāt\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): frus·trat·ed; frus·trat·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin frustratus, past participle of frustrare to deceive, frustrate, from frustra in error, in vain
Date: 15th century
1 a : to balk or defeat in an endeavor b : to induce feelings of discouragement in
2 a (1) : to make ineffectual : bring to nothing (2) : impede, obstruct b : to make invalid or of no effect

synonyms frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. Foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort . baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling . balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances

Annoyed

Main Entry: an·noy
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈnȯi\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English anoien, from Anglo-French anuier, ennoier, from Late Latin inodiare to make loathsome, from Latin in + odium hatred — more at odium
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
2 : to harass especially by quick brief attacks
intransitive verb
: to cause annoyance

— an·noy·er noun

synonyms annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness . vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety . irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit . bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind .
synonyms see in addition worry

Well, What does these two words have to do with Everyday Life's Issues? Let me explain. We tried to see Toy Story this weekend. We paid to get in, bought our popcorn and drinks, and went in the movies. Then we set out to get our seats and low and behold it was packed. Well, okay, no problem. But, and there's a big BUT! Sitting only two seats down from us was a family who arrived and they had to put the light up shoes on a 2 yr old to watch a movie. These light up shoes were like no other. Never see them light up like this in my life. They lighted the whole row. Time to kick and kick to keep the lights going. But, was that the end of the frustration and annoyance? Heck NO! Then the previews were going to start, well at least we thought. Between the previews, commericals and some little cartoon segment that had nothing in the world to do with the movie, it took 30 min.'s to start the movie. I am not kidding. I timed it.

Then we had Ms Yacker and Mrs Yacker next to us. Finally!!! they shut up. Does it end there? Heck NO! About 1/4 of the way into the movie, the screen shuts off and the theater lights come on. What the heck? We are all wondering do we have to sit through another 30 min.'s of suffering through the garbage at the beginning? No, we got lucky. After about 10 min.'s they got the movie running again where it left off. A break! Well, not exactly. Our grandson starting crying he had a belly ache and wanted to leave. So goodbye Woody for now till we can see you again. We may have gotten through almost half the movie. (Well, almost.) I guess it was not meant to be.

So, did you go see Toy Story yet? Did you get to see the whole thing? Was it good? I think we left where Woody lost his hat? What's a cowboy without his hat? Well, I don't know. Do you? I didn't get to see the ending yet.



So, this is what these two words have in common. Now you know. Decluttering also means decluttering the mind. This is why I write this here. Now it's off my chest and I had my say or complaint as it were.

And, I tell you I wanted to eat after all this annoyance. But I didn't! That's the best part. I knew this kind of frustration and annoyance anyother time would have me heading for the junk food. I decided to eat a piece of gum instead. And, it worked. I got chewing on that instead of chips or eating a tub of ice-cream.

Exercise and Food

Exercise: I exercised on the treadmill today and did 2 miles. Along with that did a few upper body weight exercises.

Food:
Breakfast: yogurt and coffee
Lunch: 1/2 of banana, peanut butter, watermelon, ice-cream fat free, Diet Pepsi. I know not much of a lunch but it wasn't too bad nutrition wise.
Dinner: Stomboli with ham, pineapple, and onions with sauce, D. Pepsi.
Snack: cheese filled pretzels and cocoa.

My husband wanted to get desert at the restaurant where we got the stromboli but I told him I didn't want any. And, if he got anything, I'd take a bit and that's it. But, since I didn't get anything, neither did he.

Panel of Expert Weight Losers / Weight Loss / Feet

I lost 1.5 lbs this week! Woo Hoo for me! I love the losses. I've been exercising this week despite my feet problems and have been controlling my food intake. I've been bypassing the junk food, which is a great accomplishment for me.

I may have Plantar Fasciitis (not confirmed yet) of the foot but the doctor still isn't sure. It's where the muscle (I think) tightens up when your sitting or standing for long periods and then when you get up you have to stretch out your foot to get them moving again. The doctor said she wants me to change my shoes from wearing my sandals to wearing sneakers with tread for two weeks to see if that helps. If not, she'll give me a
x-ray when I go back to see her to see if something with the bones in the feet have something wrong with them.

Exercise: I didn't exercise yesterday. Decided to take the day off because of my feet. I'm getting back into it today. My feet still hurt but I'm hoping to push through it.

Panel of Expert Losers: (Which are really winners) Yesterday evening Weight Watchers got a panel of weight losers (which were really winners) to speak to the rest of us. They had people there that had lost 30 lbs to people who have lost over 100 lbs. They wanted people to talk to us that have done it and are keeping it off. Also, people who are committed right now. It was great! I loved hearing people talk about their losses and how they accomplished it. They are thinking about doing this again in the future. I hope so, because it's a great motivator.

The one thing they had in common over and over is that you HAVE to exercise. Find something you like and do it and stick with it. Change it up when your at a plateau. Drink your water and journal. For some reason journaling seems to help. Maybe it's seeing it in black and white on paper, staring you right in the eye that does the trick. Who knows? Just do it!

I asked how they keep it off once you lose the weight? I'm far from there right now, but about 6-7 yrs ago, I was at my goal weight. Then I got sick with breathing problems, quit exercising and starting gaining till what I need to lose today. One person in the group said think of it as a life diet. You will need to climb the mountain everyday for the rest of your life, living right at the peak but never reaching the top. Oh, you will get to your goal weight, but you always have to be aware of when you start to gain. NO more well it's only 2 lbs, well, it's only 3 lbs. No! When you start to go over that 2 lbs, get back to reducing your calories and exercising more. No excuses this time.

One girl said this which is so true, When you lose...you gain, and, when you gain...you lose. How true is that?

What's your sweet tooth downfall?

I absolutely love 5th Ave candy bars...

and Peppermint Patties...


When I want something a little bit more crunchy I go with the 5th Ave. If I want something creamy the York Peppermint Patti is the way to go.

The big difference between the two is the calories. I can go with the Peppermint Patti for about half the calories as the 5th Ave bar. As far as carbs neither one is good for me because they both have a fair amount of carbs in them. Although I could cut them in half for half the carbs and save the other half for later. But, how many of us can do that? Can you save the other half for another day?

I can't! Once it's in my hands, I tend to eat the whole thing till it's gone. So, I've allowed myself one day a week to indulge in my favorite candy bars. Some weeks I may choose the Peppermint Patti or the other week I may plead the 5th. I figure since I like to get weighed in on Wednesday's at Weight Watchers, Thursday will be my indulgence day.

How about you? Do you allow yourself one day a week to indulge in your naughty sweet tooth pleasure? Or, Are you swearing off sweets all together till you reach you goal weight?

It's Tuesday...

Food:
Breakfast: Yogurt, flax grain (to help lower my triglycerides), blackberries, coffee
Lunch: Hamburger (no roll), re-fried beans, salad, lemonade
Dinner: Grilled chicken, green bean casserole, Diet Pepsi
Snack: Hard pretzels and cocoa.

Exercise: Walked 2 miles on the treadmill.

My feet are still hurting so I am getting them checked out tomorrow to see what's going on. It's hard to exercise with the bottoms of your feet hurting.

Walked on Treadmill

Exercise: I got up this morning and did another 2 miles on the treadmill. My feet still hurt but I need to keep up with my exercising. I also did a few upper body weight lifting exercises.

I've been trying to stay away from junk food, and thought I'd allow myself one day a week to indulge in something sweet like a candy bar or piece of pie or whatever. Usually I weigh in on Wednesday, once a month, so I usually allowed myself a snack on Thursday. I did this many moons ago or at least it feels like it. So, I figured I'd try this method again.

Today I ate:
Breakfast: yogurt, coffee
Lunch: Ceasar salad, pasta penne with chicken made by Applebees.
Dinner: Perogies, fruit, diet Snapple.
Snack: Fruit, granola bar, diet Pepsi.

What's your exercise routine?

What's your favorite exercise equipment? (This could also be exercise tapes if that's what you use.)

And....Can anyone help me out? To get on the blog directory at plus size bloggers blog, I need my badge button to be 125 x 125 in size. Anyone know how to do this? Can you explain it to me? Please! I have picture it program and have tried to resize in photobucket but can't seem to get it right. If you can help me out with this, I will gladly add your blog badge to my sidebar.

Exercise and Food

Update for Sunday.

Exercise: I finally got out and walked a mile this evening. It was hard for me because the bottom of the ball of the foot has been in pain. Here's a photo from the Internet I found that shows the spot of the burning pain when I walk.



I'm not sure what it's coming from, whether it's health related or the shoes I'm wearing. A few weeks ago I bought new pair of expensive sandals (I won't name names) which I love but wondering if they could be the cause of the pain. Although, I had been wearing them about everyday since I got them.

The humidity has been high and I have been getting swollen ankles also. It hurts more when I'm barefoot than with shoes on, but right now they hurt either way. So, depending on how I feel tomorrow, I may have to set up an appointment with the foot doctor.

I decided tonight though that I am tired of making excuses for myself why I'm not going to exercise. This isn't an excuse per say, since I am having alot of foot pain. Then I started thinking about the saying, "Use it, or lose it", and got up to go exercise. Meaning walk or lose the ability to walk. I figured I better keep my feet moving.

My dog, Tucker, got in the act and he did a half of a mile. That's about all he'll do without deciding he isn't going to do anymore. He's the dog you see on my badge on the top of my blog here.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get 5 days of exercise in this week, pending my foot problem though.

Food: I also wanted to mention that today I did pretty well when it came to my eating habits. We made hamburgers on the grill, baked beans and corn on the cob. I went with the 100% whole wheat rolls, and passed up the candy and snack foods in the store. I had to talk myself out of it a few times before finally checking out. I stuck with the fruits for my snacks this evening.

Sunday and New Week

Okay, last week was terrible as far as exercise goes. I did absolutely zero exercise, unless you consider cleaning and stuff like that exercise. This week has to start off better than the previous weeks. I'm going down in exercise instead of increasing. Not sure what's up with that except it needs to change. Yesterday I sat on my butt all day scrapbooking, which I love but not much movement.

Today's a new bright sunny day!

Sayings, Quotes, and Funnies about Weight Loss

Here's some sayings, quotes and funnies I found on the Internet today I thought I'd share with you. Sorry some of them I don't know who wrote them. I try to give the author credit when I can.

"With your diet, don't dawdle -- if you don't want to waddle!"

"Bigger snacks means bigger slacks"

"It's better to laugh or to giggle, than to eat more and jiggle!"

"Your body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess the baggage, the shorter the trip."
- Arnold H. Glasgow

"Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork."
~English Proverb

"A diet is the penalty we pay for exceeding the feed limit."
~Author Unknown

"Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake."
~Author Unknown

"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas. "
~Author Unknown

I found these top 10 benefits you can expect after dropping 10% of your weight taken from this site,
Spark People

In no particular order, they are:

10. Better blood pressure
9. Improved heart health and lower cholesterol levels
8. Decreased risk for diabetes
7. Enhanced sex life
6. A better night’s sleep for those with obstructive sleep apnea
5. Less pain associated with arthritis, joint disease, and lower back pain.
4. Better breathing
3. Decreased risk for colon and breast cancer
2. A healthier gallbladder
1. More energy

Do you like riddles? I'll leave you with this site if you want to exercise your brain. Just click on this site: Think Riddles

Now, quit hanging around and go do some exercises.

Middle of the Week and Book

It's Wednesday and guess what I have NOT been doing? You probably guessed right. I haven't been doing any exercising. I've been making up excuses. Like too much other stuff to do, not enough time, just ate, and the one most of all, it's too hot. The weather has been so hot and the humidity is high. I've been sweating like crazy and just don't want to exercise. Someone needs to kick my butt in gear.

So that being said, I have decided to start on a book called; "Half-Assed" by Jennette Fulda, a memoir book about weight loss.

I'm hoping by reading someone else's weight loss journey it will kick me into pushing myself harder. Can't hurt, right? She also has a blog called Pasta Queen. I haven't really took a look around there yet but I will.

After I'm done reading it I will post my review about it on Goodreads. If you're on Goodreads, I would also love to read your book reviews. Just add me as a friend on my book list by going here: http://Goodreads.com/lv2scpbk

To top it all off we went to the Dairy Queen after we went out to eat. I really wasn't hungry but when someone asks, "Do you want some ice-cream?", I just can't say, NO! I should have. I could have. But, didn't. The tempation was just to great.

Cleaning

Today I've been cleaning all day. Vacuumed and scrubbed the floors, cleaned out all the junk in the refrigerator, and did some laundry. I was going to declutter some of the junk around the house but ended up doing some of this stuff instead.

I also ended up making enough food for two meals, today we're having roast beef, mashed potatoes, and peas. Tomorrow we're having left over mashed potatoes, pork and sauerkraut. I am so happy knowing that tomorrow I won't have to cook. Hopefully, I can concentrate on exercising a little bit more. It's been terribly hot here and the humidity is so high you sweat just bending over to pick something up. I had the oven on about all day so now it's time to sit and relax.

I'm going to read a little bit and then hopefully take a walk with the dog.

A Walk Today

I got up this morning and took a walk with my dog. We only did a quarter of a mile, which is .4 one lap around my development. I'm hoping to do more later on this evening. It's really hot right now outside, so I am trying to wait till it cools down a bit.

So far today, I've only eaten a yogurt and coffee for breakfast. I'm now hungry so will have to find something to eat. I think I may have a salad and try to keep this day on track.

For dinner I am planning on a pork chop, a baked potato on the grill with a side of green beans. It's too hot to cook inside so I'm hoping the grill will do the trick.

I also have been trying to cut back on soda and drink more Crystal Light. It has only 5 calories and is decaf. I've been buying the lemonade and mixing it up and adding fresh fruit. I added strawberries to the regular Crystal Light lemonade. And, I also bought rasberry lemonade and added fresh rasberries. So, not only is it a good drink, you get to eat a few pieces of fruit as well.

About Diet and Exercise - Things Learned

I went to my diabetes group yesterday where they were talking about the A1C. I don't think I learned anything that I didn't already know. Basically, most doctors want your A1C to be below 6.0. The problem is I also have high triglycerides and high cholesterol that I have to control. Both are concern for heart attack and stroke. The diabetes on top of that just compounds the problem.

What have I learned over the past several years of diet and exercise? There is no quick cure. You just have to put in the hard work to do it. You can come up with all kinds of excuses, but in the end it's only up to you. You have to exercise almost everyday, and eat healthy foods, like vegetables, fruits, and stuff with fiber in it. Limit the portion sizes, and limit or eliminate all white flours, junk food, bread, anything that is processed. Pretty much that's the bottom line. Just Do It!

I've also know that the mind plays an important role. You need the mind set in order to keep the motivation up. So, I need to get my mind set that the exercise and the eating healthy is something I MUST do in order to lose the weight and get my numbers down to where they should be. I'm not only talking about my A1C numbers for diabetes but also my blood test numbers with my triglycerides and cholesterol.I want to be around for along time.

We also know the other reasons why we want to lose weight, not just for health reasons.

..To be here on this earth for our family.
..To look good. Let's face it, we all want to look good, right?
..To fit in that little black dress, or those nice jeans we have in our closet.
..To feel great in the swimsuit we hate to put on.
..To be able to travel.
..To get around on our own so we don't have to depend on other people. Because, you know that diabetes can rob you of alot of things, including your eye sight and ability to walk around because it effects your feet. Not to mention how many organs diabetes effects.

What's your reason for wanting to lose weight? Can you think of other reasons why we want or need to lose and keep the weight off?

Wow! Thursday Already!

It's Thursday already and what have I've been doing? Not exercising I can tell you. I've been decluttering again, and reading about decluttering. Trying to get the junk out of my house. I had some stuff cluttering the hallway for a few weeks that I took out of my scrapbook room, so wanted to get that stuff sorted through.

So far I've gotten no exercise walks in this week. What the heck is happening? I'm going to be going to a diabetes group today so maybe that will kick my butt into gear to get going again.

It just seems like I think about exercising and that's as far as I get. Is thinking about it going to help me lose weight? Well, No! But, maybe it will keep me from eating as much. I still have good intentions.

Sunday - New Week Starting - Week 4

Okay, not sure how I didn't get any more exercise in this past week. I did worse this week than in the last few. I went down in exercise days. Only got 1 day of exercise done.

Well, today is the start of my new exercise week, so let's get going and start again.

Wednesday Weigh-In Day

Weigh-in day for me is always the 1st week of the month. Well, to top it all off and to make matters worse, I actually gained 3 lbs. this past month. How in the world could I have gained?

Well, it could have been the candy I've been eating. And, it's been hot outside so I went to the Dairy Queen a couple times in the last several weeks. Or, it could be I'm just snacking way too much.

I haven't been all bad. I had eaten some fruit and a few salads these past few weeks. I also passed up on some candy a few times and talked myself out of buying it. Well, it wasn't enough. Obviously after I stepped on the scales.

I'm not proud of my snack daddy ways, but I am just being honest and really need to buckle down and get busy with my commitment.

Argh! Just makes me want to scream.

Week 3 - A New Week Starting

Well, I didn't get my exercise in yesterday and I'm not even sure why except to say it was hot. I did however clean up around the house a bit.

Today is Sunday which starts my new week. I took a walk with my dog this morning. He did 2 laps around the neighborhood with me, which is .8 of a mile. He did pretty well but I think it was because it was early in the morning and still cool. He doesn't like to go far, he's only good for one lap. I must say Tucker is a small dog but overweight. He's probably about 15 to 20 lbs overweight.
Here's a photo of my dog. This photo actually makes him look thinner than he is. If only I looked thinner in my photos. LOL.

He's a rat terrier mix according to the Humane Society where we got him about eight years ago.

Anyway, I put him in the house after we did 2 laps together and I did an extra lap. So I got one mile in so far this week. I hope to get another mile in later on today.