Fresh Start

 Introduction-

For those of you that don't know, I am currently enrolled at a community college studying Human Services, in pursuit of my Addiction Studies Certificate.  That in and of itself is a story on its own, but not for the immediate post at hand.  However, for the certificate one of my elective classes is "Self Esteem Strategies".  This class is where the idea spurred for starting afresh my "food journey" blog.  In class we are working on goal setting, with the aim of using visualization as one of the techniques to implement in attaining our goals.  I found it interesting and encouraging to learn that visualization is a technique also supported by science, according to one of the speakers of a Ted Talk You Tube video.  However, I myself have not looked at the research to determine how valid or reliable it is. Nevertheless, I am still able to create a goal, and work towards it.

Goal- 

So my goal is to lose 40 pounds safely within a 6 month time frame.  I want a great body!

Reward-

For every ten pounds lost, I have decided to reward myself.  I plan to get a new haircut (oh I may as well add highlights in there too, since I am starting to see more grays).  After 20 pounds lost, I will treat myself to a manicure.  After 30 pounds lost I will treat myself to a pedicure.  Finally when I have lost the 40 pounds I plan to treat myself to a professional muscle massage from the local Korean day spa. If during covid that is not an option, I will still do some kind of celebrating for my accomplishment.  It might be a new outfit, or 5 new outfits.  Anyways the rewards are set.

Every Sunday or once a week I will blog about my fresh start.  I will "discuss" with you the reader about how its going with my food intake.  Right now I am in the planning and preparation stage.  I have allotted some time of a week or two for both the menu planning and the grocery shopping for ingredients to make delicious low calorie low carb foods that I am likely to enjoy.  Lemons are on my mental list, for they are excellent to squeeze into a warm glass of water in the morning to aid digestion when I first wake up.  I say warm water only because its so cold in the mornings.  But cool water is fine if that's your preference I suppose.  

Action Plan-

• I will buy a dozen lemons within one week by Friday 3/12/21.
• I will create a weekly menu plan by same time frame Friday 3/12/21.
• I will go grocery shopping by ASAP Sunday 3/14/21.
• I will count calories, carbs, etc.  I will find the food diary and record it OR just buy a new food journal on or before Sunday 3/21/21.
• I will commit to a daily physical activity, such as strength training resistance, aerobic exercise such as zumba/dance, yoga/pilates, and.or walking neighborhood for 30 minutes daily by Saturday 3/6/21.  (I missed the deadline for starting my exercises yesterday, so my next best way to handle it is to start tomorrow on Monday 3/8/21 with walking at the minimum.)
• I will drink 8 glasses of H2O daily starting Saturday 3/6/21.  (Again I did not meet my quota nor deadline to start yesterday.  Fortunately, tomorrow Monday is a new day for me to start afresh on this aspect of my overall goal.)
• I will create and compile easy veggie recipes of the foods and flavors I like within a 2 weeks time so by 3/19/21.
• I will "blog" my journal ASAP with one or more weekly entries every Sunday starting on 3/7/21.  Yaye!  I did it!  I almost forgot then suddenly I remembered this goal.  So I also added it into my day planner now so to remind me what I've set myself to do each week.  I am planning to commit to blog (writing) each week for the next 6 months duration of "losing 40 pounds safely".  If a weekly blog turns out to be "too much" then I am free to adjust accordingly, and vice versa.  This is just my initial starting point.
• I will find one person to "join me" in weight loss.  I will "offer" to help him or her to lose weight also.  In other words, I am looking for a "study buddy" who will be my weight loss partner in crime.  I am looking for someone who will be my accountability partner and or someone I can teach or coach in weight loss.  The buddy system is such a great tool.  Why do something alone when doing it together is so much more fun and rewarding for all involved?  Yes, if you or someone you know wants to join me in this process feel free to come along!

To be continued-

I am so excited to be starting afresh on this goal.  I lost almost 60 pounds in 2011 and kept it off for 2 years before slowly regaining.  I am using both what has worked in the past before as well as a few new techniques.  I really hope someone will join me.  Last time I lost a large amount of weight my friend was the leader.  She taught me how to do it.  This time I am leading myself and I would be super blessed to help another person along the way also.  So if you are wanting to lose 5 pounds or 50 , I'm not a doctor but I can encourage coach and teach you about what I am doing.  Until next week, be safe and be well.  Always take good care of yourself.  Love yourself.  Accept yourself.  God is so for you and wants to bless you.  How can I say that?  Because that is the nature and character of my God.  Thanks for reading my blog.  God bless you always.

My Trip to Wholesome Choice

So, like I said, I needed to buy some healthy snack alternatives to eat, since I was starting to eat cookies at least twice this week! So, off to Wholesome Choice I went, in search of healthy foods and some good deals.

I cannot believe what I found there this afternoon when I went! And, I am so pleased!! They had gala apples on sale, so I got some of those. They also had Valencia oranges on sale, so I grabbed some of those too. I found some hummus for buy one get one free, so I grabbed that. The carrots were a one or two pound bag for 59 cents!! And, the celery I'm not sure, but I think was super cheap too. I alos picked up a package of mushrooms for 99 cents. Alltogether I paid under $10, or just around $10 for all that yummy, delicious, and healthy produce. I also got some roma tomatoes for 59 cents a pound or some outrageous figure like that!! I'm not kidding. And, I'm so happy (about the savings I accrued today). I feel so blessed to have gotten a week's worth of fresh produce for my healthy snacks for $10. I'm not sure I've ever gotten such a good deal before from the market!!

But, I'm not done with my story! There's more!! So, as I was departing the market, the man from Salvation Army was there, taking monetary donations. And, he looked Hispanic to me. I cannot ignore this man! So, I talked with him in Spanish and told him that I was sorry that I didn't have any cash on me (which was true). And, then I asked him (in Spanish) if he would like some fruit? He said yes, so I gave him a banana, an orange, and an apple. I'm not sure who felt happier afterwards, him or me. I think I walked away from that situation feeling like a total winner!! I love when God gives divine appointments or little opportunities to bless others. I know a year ago I might have felt annoyed that this man was standing in front of me, begging for money. But, God has done a work in my heart and changed me. Yep. This is my story!!

God Helps Me Everyday

I am very aware of the fact that my weight loss success up until now has been in large part due to God's grace on my life. Sure, I did the work of choosing which foods to eat, and what exercises to do, but God is the one who gave me success by His grace. I could not have done it without Jane, and without God. This is true. I mean, God gave me the ability to have any kind of self-control. And, yes, I did stumble along the way too. Nevertheless, God enabled me to pick the right foods. God enabled me to have the desire to say no to over doing it on the sweets or bread factors.

I mean, when I lived in Korea, I used to eat the equivalent of 2 donuts in the morning sometimes! I would walk across the street to the local bakery, and buy like 2 pastries from there. OMG~there were so delicious! However, I had no idea or concept at the time of what I was doing to my body!!

Tonight, I ate Flame Broiler for dinner. I chose the brown rice bowl with chicken and veggies. I asked for the white meat and dark meat combo (well they gave it to me as a one time special). Anyways, I never thought about my food choices before. Nor did I make any kind of connection between what I put in my mouth and what my body turned out in physical appearance.

And, losing weight is not just about physical appearance, although that is definately one positive outcome. But, just as important, if not more, is the health factor or health benefit that comes from losing even 5 pounds. I know deep in my heart some obesity related health risks may have been averted. And I am so thankful.

So I am rambling. But, I'm just trying to say, and acknowledge that God is the One who helped me along the way on this journey, whether I had realized it at the time or not (and most likely not). And, I will still need Him now and in my future to continue helping me along the way, to maintain and or lose more if the body wants to.

So, I thank God for redeeming my body. My prayer is that He will help you also on your weight loss and health journey. I know this: God wants to help us!! Amen.

I'm Not at a Plateau Anymore

137 tonight at the gym with just a towel and flip flops on. I cannot believe it!! So, this tells me that my coach, trainer and friend, Jane, was right! She said to remain faithful and to keep eating right, and my body would do its thing. Well, those are my words but her concept!! I was around 139-141 for at least 3 months if not 4 or more!! I would have to check my actual records in order to know for certain. What I do know now, is, that, it is highly likely that my body will get down to at least 135 soon, and possibly 130 by the end of the year if not sooner. I feel like this is a strong possibility!!!

On another note, working out at the gym today was challenging. I did the elliptical machine for one hour. At the 30 minute mark I was ready to be done. But, I also wanted to push myself for another 30 because it's good for the heart and I like burning calories!! So, I did the 60 minutes in total, knowing that my body had rested enough. I hadn't been to the gym since Friday morning, so by Sunday afternoon my body should be able to hit the gym hard again. I could have given up like I did on Friday morning, but I didn't this time.

And of course, the usual jacuzzi time afterwards. That's my favorite part, indeed!

Lazy Saturday

Ah, today is becoming a lazy Saturday! I love and hate when this happens!! Anyways, foodwise, so far so good. Breakfast just a simple slice of wheat toast with nutella, one orange, one cup of hot green tea. I ran out of milk so will have to go to store later to get some. Mid morning snack was a banana and another cup of hot green tea. Yes, I love green tea! So far dong fine. Now if I could only get my butt moving and doing something, then all would be well. He he.

Victory in Sight?

I totally enjoyed Jane's Zumba class last night (Thursday). But, getting up this morning and out the door on time for Dawn's morning Zumba class proved to be difficult. I think I did it last week, but this week I think the weather was affecting my mood. It is so overcast in the morning, it's like pulling me down a little bit. Or, maybe because I have a major decision to make in the next 10 days that is stressing me out a little. Maybe I feel a combination of all these. Whatever the case, I made myself get to the gym. Well, I was running late, so I got sidetracked with an errand, and then got myself to the gym. And, dance class was over by then. So, I opted for the elliptical machine.

I was hoping for one hour on the machine, but, after 30 minutes, I had to quit. My body was done! All I can think is that my body needs, or needed, a time of rest from last night's dance class. Last week when I was exercising every day for an hour, I was going in the evenings and allowed like a 24 hour rest in between most of the workouts.

Ok, so now for the success part of my entry. I don't know what compelled me, but I decided to check my weight on the scale this morning. 137?!! Really? I was elated. Esctatic. Unbelieveable! Just last night at the gym I thought the scale said 140 or 141. So, morning time is best time to take my weight! Ha ha. Yes, I'm 137 now. And, it makes me feel like a million bucks. Well, it also motivates me to continue on this road. It makes me want to keep eating the right foods and it makes me want to keep exercising.

Wow~thanks God for helping my body come down to the 130s range. I want my body to glorify You, too.

That's all for now.

Exciting Day

I woke up and changed up my breakfast today.

Today's Breakfast:
*One slice of wheat bread
*One tablespoon of nutella spread
*One orange
*One cup of non fat milk
*One cup of hot green tea
*Multi vitamin and fish oil supplement, fiber tablet too

Today's lunch is packed:
*One apple
*One banana
*Ham sandwich meat
*Non fat vanilla yogurt
*Cheddar cheese, 1 or 2 oz., for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack most likely

It's Breakfast!

I am satisfied with my breakfast today, from a nutritional standpoint. One orange, one cup of nonfat milk, one cup of hot green tea, and one scrambled egg with veggies. The veggies were only a quarter of a tomato chopped (because the tomato was so large), a wedge of onion chopped, and some garlic. I seasoned the eggs with a little bit of cumin and oregano, salt and pepper, and used a little bit of Tapitio sauce on top. I haven't added the calories yet, but, it's not alot. An egg, milk, and the veggies all have under 100 calories (each). I love that I can eat about a cup or two of veggies, and I feel like I am eating alot but it's not. I'm getting fiber and nutrients from the veggies. OH, and there was a slice of cinnamon raisen bread too. I'm trying to get through both the freezer food and the fresh food in the fridge before it goes bad! The only "bad" thing was using about a tablespoon or so of country crock (vegetable oil spread) so eggs wouldn't stick to pan, and for topping on my toast. On the plus side, it wasn't like 3 or 4 tablespoons of oil!! But, still, oil contains alot lot lot lot of fat! So, I'm just saying.

Yesterday Josie gave me a compliment about my weight loss accomplishment. I so appreciate hearing the encouraging words of others. Surely exercise has played an important role in my weight loss as well. Yes, doing Zumba anywhere from 2 to 5 times a week has certainly helped, with an average of 3 or 4 times a week doing Zumba and some other form of exercise like walking on a treadmill.

Another thing that has also helped is doing it with someone else. Having Jane by my side has been another important factor in getting down in weight!!

Secretly, I want to work out this morning. It's Sunday morning. I have to, or am expected to, attend worship service. But, truth be told, I want to go take an aerobics class or Zumba class that starts at 8:30 AM!! That would mean being done by 9:30 and I'm not sure 30 minutes would be enough time to shower quickly and blow dry hair and put on make up and drive to service. I guess I could do it if I really pushed myself. Maybe next week I will do just that!!

Because, I LOVE the feeling of adrenaline rushing through my body after exercising!! It gives me more energy and I feel more alive, always, after any kind of a workout! So, yeah, this is my plan!! Why not?!

I love what I am learning from Dan Miller in his book, 48 Days to the Work You Love. He teaches that success in one area of our lives also affects the other areas of our lives; success in one area creates a kind of FLOW for success in the other areas as well. I used to be an indecisive person and it affected all the other areas of my life too. Now, I am becoming a more decisive being, and, through that, God is propelling me forward.

What I mean is, I am beginning to intentionally make positive deposits in ALL the other areas of my life (not just food for example). I decided to increase my personal development and learn something new. As a result of this decision, I "stumbled" upon a course catelogue at the library of which I decided to take an Arabic conversational class! I am so excited about this decision!! And, I can feel a momentum moving in my life now. So, go Dan Miller (lol).

No, I have not arrived, by any means. But, God is indeed using this 40 day time period to bring to a better place, this I have faith in.