Staying on a Healthy Path

What a busy and stressful two weeks (this week and next). I have so many things going on and so many people depending on me. I think the schools are trying to cram everything in these two weeks of May. lol
I did have a wonderful Mother's Day. My two boys painted terra-cotta pots and put beautiful flowers in them. Ed cooked breakfast (of heart healthy pancakes with sugar free syrup). I must admit, since paying more attention to what I am eating, I am discovering what things I may have to give up eating. My trigger foods are definitely biscuits and pancakes (those carb laden type things). Once I start, I have a hard time stopping. He then got us KFC roasted chicken for lunch with green beans and potato wedges. Well, I made corn instead of eating the potato wedges, but I did eat one biscuit (VERY hard to eat just one)!
Then supper was leftovers. I was worried about gaining, because I haven't gotten a lot of exercise in due to the business lately. I didn't though. As of mid morning today, I have lost 21 pounds! :) Really happy. I am enjoying eating healthy because not only do I have more energy and feel better, I like finding healthy dishes to try in the kitchen. This morning, I had one egg scrambled with spinach and green onion (YUM), along with a chicken sausage patty (about 60 calories) on a whole wheat English muffin. So what if I have been doing this since March and have only lost 21 lbs.

Photos taken by Wes Hennings at Stevens Creek Church
Mother's Day 2014

If I am in it for the long haul, I have to stop focusing on the number. I genuinely want to be healthier. One of the things I don't mention much is that I have asthma. Less than a year ago, my allergist sent me to a pulmonologist because she suspected that I may have COPD. Well, that scared me, especially considering I'll be the big 50 in August. He said, though, that my breathing AND snoring would improve if I would just lose some weight. He was right, of course. I hope to improve my asthma symptoms as well as lower my blood pressure meds.

Oh...I took prom pictures of these two gorgeous people this weekend. I was pretty happy with the way they turned out. Not bad for an amateur! 

Pressing on!

Second Goal Met

Things are crazy busy here with prom tonight, band stuff going on, etc... Just got back from visiting with my mom for Mother's Day. But I wanted to take a minute and let you know that I did in fact, hit my second goal of 20 pounds lost! SOOO happy! I plan to keep pressing on!

Food, Exercise and Trying New Things

Sorry that it has been over a week since I've posted. It has been busy, and it has been stressful. I don't see that changing much over the next little while, but I will try to do better. I guess part of the reason I haven't posted is because my weight has been coming off at such a crawl...well, at least it feels that way. I weighed this morning, and I am down 18 pounds. I am happy about that, especially since I can feel it in my pants now. My behind seems to be the first thing to go, but I sure wish I could get it off my stomach faster! I have been trying to get some type of exercise in every day, whether it be walking our neighborhood or doing yard work/gardening. On days I don't get outside, I have been doing this routine:
1. Side Lying Leg Lifts (15 on each side)
2. Body Weight Squat (15 reps...hard on my knees though)
3. Wall Push ups (15 reps)
4. Crunches (30 reps)
5. Wall Leg Raises (Hold for 15 counts)
Here's the flower bed my hubby and I worked on this weekend. Can't wait until the yellow flowers spread.

Exercising makes me feel good about myself, like I'm really doing something good for my health. I'll admit it is hard sometimes to pass up the dessert or the smell of a double cheeseburger. One thing I'm learning this time around though is the give and take of it all. If I over do it at one meal, I can usually keep my calories in check by leaving off my afternoon snack or after dinner dessert (which, by the way, has been 5 or 6 strawberries and a 1 oz. piece of 70% cocoa chocolate). Here are a couple of the things I've been eating. I enjoy my chicken wrap lunch (roasted chicken, whole wheat tortilla, salsa and FF sour cream), and I LOVE my sauteed squash, zucchini, peppers and onions.

 
Along with losing weight seems to come an increase in confidence. Here's an example of something I would never had tried in the past. It's not perfect, but I LOVE it because I DID it! I went to one of those painting with acrylics parties. It wasn't easy to do, but I'm glad I went. Gonna keep trying new things. Gotta step out of this box I've kept myself in for so long.

I also have to brag on my boy. My older son was named a USC Aiken Scholar! They were honored at a reception at the university a couple of nights ago. He's so smart, and I'm so proud of him!

Until next time...pressing on!