Time to put them down!

Eleven years ago I did something that I said I would NEVER do, I started smoking.  Since then it has become a habit that I just can't seem to put down!!

Before I started I can remember telling my husband that it wasn't as hard as he thought it would be to quit; but now I know differently! :)

About 4 1/2  years ago he went to the ER with chest pains; thankfully, it had nothing to do with his heart!  However, he did decide to quit smoking and I was amazed at how easy it appeared to be for him.  I guess the fear over-rode the want for a cigarette!

Lately, I have had a cold that I just can't seem to shake and I know that cigarettes have a lot to do with my congestion, and coughing!  A few days ago I was thinking about quitting and actually waited about 3 hours to go to the store to get a pack.  During these hours it was amazing how easier it was to breath and that I didn't cough any during that time.  However, as soon as I lit one up on the way home I started coughing and was all stuffed up again. UGH it is so frustrating knowing that these things are causing this; yet, I still don't have the drive to put them down!!  BUT... I have to do this for my health; and I am tired of smelling like a cigarette!

A while back I purchased the Nicotine Transdermal System (Step 1 & 2), but I haven't started using the patches yet (for some reason).

My husband is like a anti-smoking commercial (lol) and  is always telling me that I smell like an ash-tray when I get near him after having a cigarette.  The kids have also made comments about how much the cigarettes stink & my youngest tells me often how bad they are for me (things she learned in health class).  I know it would be better for me & everyone else if I quit; and I could save a lot of money, but I just don't know if I have what it takes!?

Since my husband quit smoking he has gained about 45 pounds because he says that food tastes and smells so much better; and he is bored and I think he eats more because of it.  I've already gained the weight I lost about 2 years ago back and I just don't want to take a chance of gaining even more because I quit smoking!  I have to have something to replace this habit with, but I have no idea what that would be!!  Any ideas?

As of this minute I want to put them down ....  but I have to get a plan in place!

Starting this week I am going to smoke outside.  This should help me cut back some, and this will be good because I am up to a pack and a half (if not more) a day lately.  Then, come Monday I am going to try to start using the patches some ... So, wish me luck!

Have you ever quit smoking?  If so, tell me below how you did it; and if you put on weight in the process!!  Thanks!!

~Ginny

A New Me's Weight-Loss Challenge

Join The New Me Challenge to become a new you, starting June 1st!!!

Pick a workout program of your choice or have a exercise plan that you can work with, and a healthy eating plan.  Write it down so you can hold yourself accountable!

What are your goals & how will to obtain them?

Track your progress and share your success, but don't quit when you slip... We have have a moment of weakness or laziness.  When this happens let it go and getting back on track!  You can do anything that you set your mind to!

Believe it or not, our mind plays a huge part in our success & sadly even more in our failures!  If we dread eating healthier or exercising.. What is the chance of getting them done?  Think about the end game, how will you feel with the weight off? 

Healthier, fitting into those cute jeans, feeling sexy, more alive, getting out of the house more and doing outside activities, loving the reflection you see in the mirror, less aches & pains, confidence, loving you...

What ever the motivation may be... Hold onto it!  This will help us succeed!

Last night, I didn't like the number I seen on the scale, getting too close to that number that I've always said I'd never be... 200!  I've never seen it, even during my pregnancies, and I don't want to now.  Too close for comfort. Lol

Because of this I have decided to try to motivate myself and all the readers by accepting this challenge!

I have planned to try The Daily Burn's 30 day free trial and hopefully keep it if it works as it appears to in the community!  I feel like this will be something that others in my home could use as well. 

My goal in this first 30 days is to lose 15 pounds, feel less tired, and be more active!  I can do this &  YOU can too!!! 

I hope some of you will try it with me and share your journey with us as I will be with you!

*June 1st, who's with me?

Morning Thoughts

This morning as I sat out on the porch steps smoking my morning cigarette the birds were singing and making all types of noises.  I forgot how peaceful it was out that early in the morning in country and I really thought about some things that I needed to clear up and out of my mind.

The past few days I have been trying to "Think more Positive" and it has really seemed to make my days happier or less stressful, I should say! However, there are parts of my life that I need to work on, as I am sure everyone else could say as well.

• I thought about how these cigarettes need to go, but how hard they are to put down once you have become addicted!
• I thought about the ways that I could become a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, or just the person who walks by you in the store.
• I thought about how I would like to take time to pick up a pencil and draw something every once in a while, before my ability to create something diminishes even more than it has.
• I thought about ways that I could be a better house keeper.
• and I thought about how I could become healthier.

While I listened to the birds chirping, I thought about the different areas in my life that could improve, and I hope to incorporate them into my day one step at a time until I can be a new person in all aspects... A NEW ME! :)

What are the things that you would like to improve on or add into your life to bring happiness?  How would life be different for you if you made these changes?

Think about it all and make that change, become a NEW you!!

21 Day Fix

Weight-loss is all about sticking to something that works for you and believing that you can accomplish it!  However, the easier the program, the easier it is to stick with it I think.

Last weekend I was watching a movie and when it went off an infomercial for the 21 Day Fix came on, and I found myself interested!!  The program looks simple enough to follow and the workouts are formatted for each level of fitness.  Take a look...

I have been thinking about purchasing this, but as always I am skeptical.. Has anyone tried this or know someone who has?

I Don't Look Good Naked Anymore

I saw this video the other day and found myself laughing, but relating!  Then, a few nights later I was talking to a friend and we got on the subject of having a complex body image, and not looking good naked anymore. ((lol)) It's nice to know that we're not alone; and more of us struggle with image issues than we may think!


  In my master bath our mirror doesn't allow me to see much below my chest area, which is a relief in a way (lol); but unfortunately the other bathroom's mirror shows NO mercy!
Last night I decided to jump in the shower in the small bathroom; and I was faced with the fact that I have really got to start exercising after seeing how out of shape I have gotten!!  I really don't look good naked!!
Ya know, this was a big reality check for me!  I have avoided facing facts on just how out-of-shape I have become and just how unhealthy it is, for a long time... but not anymore!  It's Time To Change!!

Got to get started in becoming a new happier & healthier me...Who's with me?? 

A New Me - Here we go

Today is a new day. I have been watching a lot of inspirational videos on you tube over the weekend about weight loss. That is the true meaning of this blog. Becoming that new you that you always knew you could be. I am at a point in my life where I can get off my butt and get it in gear to get this weight off once and for all. I am definitely motivated.

My plan of action is this:

1. I am drinking slim fast and replacing two meals a day with this drink because this has worked for me in the past. I like the juicing that I have tried but some of the concoctions give me really bad indigestion, but slim fast does not do that to me. (I had one shake for breakfast)

2. One mile walk everyday after work this week to rev up my metabolism. I will use the elliptical in the evenings after supper.

3. If I get too hungry in between slim fast meal replacement shakes, then I will snack on fruit or nuts only. It has to be very low calorie. Slim fast now has these meal replacement bars that you can eat while doing the liquid meal replacement, not sure I will utilize those though.

Everyone who reads this blog, leave comments or suggestions about how you have lost weight. Share your story with us, we would be happy to hear it. It may seem that there is no cohesive flow with the way the blog is going, but I promise you there is. All of the new experiences that I have been having the past year like going overseas, going through my second divorce, losing weight and trying to retain my sanity all coincide with A New Me.

The Green Smoothie Challenge

I am going to start doing the Green Smoothie Challenge tonight. It is a new diet where you drink these smoothies to lose weight. I have been eating pretty good lately and I am getting on the elliptical but I still feel like I need a small jump start. The great thing about this smoothie cleanse is you can modify if you need to. You can do three smoothies a day or do a smoothie twice a day with a sensible light dinner. I realize it sounds a bit like slim fast but it is different. My brother has been on it for two days and has lost two pounds, so I'm going to give it a try. The claim is that if you follow it to the letter you can lose up to 15 pounds in 10 days. So it is a great jump start idea for those struggling to get on track with a diet regime.

http://www.chewfo.com/diets/10-day-green-smoothie-cleanse-by-jj-smith-2014-what-to-eat-and-foods-to-avoid-food-list/

Up above is the link for the diet I am talking about in this blog. There are actually videos on Youtube that show actual people talking about their weight loss on this cleanse. I have been referring to it as a diet but it is actually a cleanse.

Back on Track

I was a good girl last night and got on the elliptical for 21 minutes. I was jamming out to some good music on Pandora radio and when I finished I swear I sweated for a good hour after. Maybe that was after burn. I am probably going to try some kind of detox this weekend. Even though I haven't gained or lost, I think a good detox would help me get back on track.

I was thinking maybe a juice detox and if I do eat anything, maybe do chicken broth or jello. Does anyone have any ideas they would be willing to share in the comments below. It would be great to know people actually read this blog. So hit me up, leave me a comment.

Tuesday Morning Weigh-In

Good Morning, Everyone!

Well no weight-loss this morning, but NO gain either!! :) I figured with the way last week went and my friend visiting for the month (my cycle) that there wouldn't be no loss.  However, I was expecting a gain and that wasn't the case; so, I am happy about that!

My schedule recently changed and I have an extra hour in the mornings to work with; therefore, I am hoping to make the most of it and exercise a few days a week (at the very least).

I few months ago I purchased The Firm's burn, sculpt, and tone DVD with resistance cord at the Thrift Sore for only $4.99; and I think it's about time to give it a try!!

I have the The Firm VHS tapes with the Fanny Lifter; and I loved those, but when the VCR went out I never purchased another.  I hope that the new DVD is as easy to do but still works!!

Wish Me Luck!!


Have a Great Day!!! :)

Balance

I went out and bought me an elliptical. I got on it last night for 15 minutes and I slept like a baby last night! I could definitely feel the burn. I am so out of shape but that is okay because I am taking it one day at a time and I know I can do this.

Last week I was so emotional and I felt like everything was erratic. I am still dealing with feelings of grief and anger over the loss of my marriage. Even though we aren't divorced yet, sometimes I still struggle with my feelings because they are all over the place. I feel happy most days, but then there are those moments when the memories creep in and I remember how it used to be.

As you can tell I am in a strange place in my life right now. And all the feelings I am having about the loss of my marriage play into the whole weight loss thing for me. I am trying to find the right balance.

JoAnne

Disgusted!

I am so disgusted by this whole weight loss journey today. I am retaining more water than the Hoover Dam.....It is almost that time of month for me. So, of course the scales have only went up. AAhhhhhh! Well, the whole point of this blog is to keep it real. 

JoAnne

Pilates are kicking my Butt!

Pilates is a butt kicker. My legs and the abs underneath my stomach are sore but in a good way. I am actually making myself do pilates every night. I am trying to get back on track with my eating though, that is the tough part. I have found that my starch intake is way too high and I have definitely got to start drinking more water.

As for the mental side of things...I keep telling myself that Rome was not built in a day and it will take me time to lose weight. After all, I gained this weight over the span of a decade so if I lose it slowly, I will not gain it back. Have you ever noticed all you have to do is overeat at one meal and you can put on extra weight, it is so easy to gain but so hard to lose??!!

JoAnne

This and That

Today is January 18, 2015. I really messed up yesterday. I do believe I ate everything in sight, but I still managed to exercise yesterday. So, no pounds lost and no pounds gained. My friend Ginny has talked me into doing this blog. I really need to be held accountable for the stupid decisions I make when it comes to eating and exercising. What worked for me in my twenties is not going to work for me at age 40.

In my twenties I could eat Doritos and drink mountain dew for breakfast. If I wanted to lose a five pounds quickly I wouldn't eat after 6pm and I would drink a couple of beers. I can't do that anymore. My body has changed as well as my metabolism. My priorities have changed also. I am at a point in my life where I have no excuses to lose weight. I have a ton of free time on my hands now that I am single, so I can go walking and I can cook the things I need to so I can eat better. My plan is to keep doing the pilates door knob exerciser and walking right now. I want to buy an elliptical at tax time so that while it is cold outside I can hop on that and get a good work out.

A big step for me is I know I need to list my weight. I am not quite ready to share that just yet.....gotta build up the nerve.

JoAnne

Nothing is Real if you don't

What motivates you?

Every journey that we set out on has it's challenges..  

           So, why should losing weight be any different!

What motivates you?

~ Knowing or Finding something to help motivate us is a way to reach the ending goal.

EASIER SAID, THAN DONE!! ~ Right? (lol)

I think over the past few years I have tried many things to help motivate me... a new outfit, competing with friends, beach trip, fitting into an old pair of jeans (that's an awesome feeling), etc.

A while back I joined DietBet (http://www.dietbetter.com/" ) after clicking on a link to a contest that Jillian Michaels (from "The Biggest Loser") shared for a charity. I have to say, it's a great motivational tool!

CHECK IT OUT>>>  DietBet allows you to start & join contests.. I'll let you see for yourself!

After watching the video, What do you think?

Is this something that could motivate you?  It sounds like if you reach your 10% lose (which isn't that much weight in 6 months) you'll win your money back + a portion of what other money is left to split by players who didn't complete the challenge.  Sounds like a win-win, you get your money back at the very least... Thoughts?

I think this could be fun among a bunch of competitive friends or all with the same goal.

A few years back a few friends and I done a Biggest Loser competition among us all... we weighed in each week and put like $10 in a jar; and the winner would get the $$; however, no one was motivated and so we all took our money back.

Sad, but true!

In order to make a change, I believe that We have to get the mindset of succeeding because being motivated is an important key to success!

What is your motivation when it comes to weightless?  Would a competition like DietBet help you succeed?

I want to hear your thoughts/experiences about this!?