@ the Y before 8 am????

At 7:45 this morning I was checking in at the Y for a workout with my oldest daughter Amanda. Me at the Y anytime....let alone that early...was so not the old Gwen. If someone would have asked me to go to the Y that early I would have replied with "i'm not home right now but leave your name and number at the sound of the beep"!!!

I am really enjoying this new me...and all the stuff I am learning. What is odd to me though is....It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to learn the "lose weight math class 101". It's all figuring out the calories, fat grams, points, carbs, protien, fiber, high fructose corn syrup, etc. Ok...it is a lil' overwhelming but it'll be ok. Change one thing at a time. Always remember, ONE DAY AT A TIME...ONE STEP AT A TIME....literally! =)

My Alli

Well I am outta alli pills...so I have decided to just keep up with the calories and fat grams I have been eating...I am going to hold off on buying any more pills for now and see where it goes.

I have lost 21 pounds so far now and I gotta tell ya... I feel great. My energy level is tremendous!

Today Miss Faith and i decided to go to Woodcock Dam like we have done in the past, however, this time we did the WHOLE 2 miles!! It was an awesome time. Just her, I and the sunshine.

Whatever you are deciding to do as far as healthy eating for yourselves... keep it up and I promise you it will pay off. Maybe if you don't look at it as exercise, and think of it as...an inner peace ceremony, it may give someone a better out look on "exercise". I don't know really...I'm just speaking of what works for me. Good Luck to you all!! And know....I'm right there with you! =)

3 Weeks

I have lost 19 pounds now after 3 weeks which is A-Ok in my book! Some days I just don't feel like watching what I eat....and I know it's tough, but if I just keep with it, I know it will be a reward I will forever charish. When I do fall off the path, I try to remember I am human and I am a woman who has PMS and needs chocolate every once in awhile too! =)

This is Fridays dinner I cooked. Baked lemon and pepper fish, frozen mixed vegetables, and rice. Very healthy for you and a very low fat meal. Sorry you couldn't be here to share it with me =(

Finally!

Finally today...I lost 1 more pound! That's 18lbs. now =)Yes I am that excited over "a" pound. Last night we had a family night at the YMCA. In the weight room Casey, Joe and Rick worked out lifting weights....in another room Morgan walked on the treadmill.....and then there was Amanda, Samantha, and me cycling, and then moved to the nautilus equipment working on legs and arms. We had an awesome time. I almost didn't go because I was suffering from one of my headaches...but went anyway. I'm so glad I did. Not only did I get to work out, but got to spend some "quality" time with my kids. By the way...the Y pass was the kids' Christmas present from me.....what better gift than something promoting health?!!

We did take some pictures so as soon as I get them loaded I will post them. Have a great day everyone! =)

Natural Herbs and Their Purposes

I wanted to share my knowledge on the things I have learned about natural herbs and some of their purposes. I hope you find some of them helpful or at least interesting...

1. Black Cohosh -Contains natural estrogen,calms nervous system; promotes menstruation; relieves cramps; soothes local pain; safe sedative; good for headaches
2. Milk Thistle -Cleans the liver
3. Butcher's Broom - Strengthens walls of blood vessels, aids in viracose veins
4. Dandelion - use to detoxify the system
5. Echinacea - "King of blood purifiers;" improves lymphatic system; strengthens immune system and is most potent for such; good for colds and flu; anti-inflammatory; anti-viral; antibiotic tendencies; increases white blood cells to destroy virii; no side effects noted and is a very safe; keeps T-cells healthy; good for glandular infections-; expels poisons and toxins; prevents cell infection; beneficial during pregnancy. The most important immune stimulatn in Western medicine.
6. Ginseng - helps the body adapt to stress, fatigue, and cold; significantly improves the body's capacity to handle hunger, temperature extremes, and mental and emotional stress
7. Lavender - the flowers are antibiotic and antiseptic. They calm the nerves, reduce muscle tension, and relieve cramps
8. Lemon Balm - a relaxing tonic for anxiety, mild depression, restlessness, and irritability. Reduces feelings of nervousness and panic; quiets a racing heart
9. Sage - use as a tea for quieting nerves, good for mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate
10. Sarsaparilla - blood purifier; breaks down uric acid; good for liver problems, rheumatism, skin disorders, hormone excesses, good for psoriasis and other eruptive skin disorders
11. St. John's Wort - Helps with depression
12. Valerian Root - calms nervous conditions; aids in peaceful and restful sleep; slows heart rate while increasing blood flow; good for people whose valves don't work right; nature's tranquilizer; decreases aggression; good source of calcium and magnesium

I hope you at least found this interesting. I believe in my heart that God has supplied us with "natural cures" to our illnesses.

We Did IT !!!

Well today was the day...

I leashed up Miss Faith as she headed for the backdoor...jumping around and ready to go. I opened the car door and she jumped in..and parked her bottom on the front seat. We were off to Woodcock Dam...for a .......you guessed it! A walk. We went 1 1/2 miles...her leash in my hand, as we passed other walkers and other dogs...she walked right beside me...the whole way. It was so awesome to have someone else to walk with. And yes...we talked too... all in confidence I'm sure! =) It felt really good to get out and look around and get exercise as well as trying to eat right. I'm possitive the walk did her good too....she really enjoyed it.

It may not seem like much to some...but to me....it was a mile and 1/2 and great company! ;)

2 weeks and a day, but who's counting?

Ok it's been two weeks...I am still at 17lbs ...I'm not complaining =) I will say...I haven't done much with any exercise or maybe I would have lost more. I gotta be honest....I hate exercise! I can think of so many more things I would rather do. However I know the facts and you HAVE to move in order to lose more weight. It's one of things in life you just have to make your mind up and do it. I also have been goin on Calories and Fat grams....but I think I can make even smarter choices as far as WHAT calories and fat grams to intake. In short...instead of a bagel which has 250 cal and maybe 1 fat gram...it's still high in carbs. So maybe i'll look around and find something with the same fat and same calories but not as much carbs. I know ....I know...here I go obsessing again!! LOL =)

Have a great day everyone!

It's Time Poem.. by Gwen

It's time

to face the fear

It's time

to get it in gear

It's time

to find yourself

It's time

for no help

It's time

to go it alone

It's time

to bring it home

It's time

to celebrate you

It's time

to do what you do

It's time

to forget the rest

It's time

to be the best

It's time

to let yourself feel

It's time

to let yourself heal

It's Time..

by: Gwen Lynn

There is NO such thing..

I found out last night, there is NO such thing as a "light" or "low fat" taco salad! I used ground turkey...measured everything out...no sour cream involved...only taco sauce (which is fat free)...I did my best to make it the least amount of calories and fat grams possible. I looked at it on my plate and thought...this is rediculous....I swore from that moment on I will never attempt a "Low Fat Taco Salad" again. LOL

Ok so the point of this is ...When you are learning new ways of eating and new ways of cooking....just because something doesn't work out as well as you may think....don't give up....don't quit...just don't attempt TACO SALAD!!!! *smiles*

17lbs and counting..

I talked to one of my sisters last night and said.." I think I am just going to quit this plan and maybe try something different." Well this morning I got up and did my faithful (amazing how many times that word comes up on my post isn't it? Maybe it's telling me something?!) anyway...did my faithful get on the scales and see what's up (or down hopefully =) ) and much to my suprise...I have lost 17 LBS!!! So I text that same sister this morning and said..Ok..Maybe I will stick with it for a lil' while longer.. LOL

(Mom you were right about me...I am flighty lol)

This is the dinner I cooked for last night. If you ever thought for one minute you have to eat cardboard (rice cakes) to lose weight..think again! You can have delicious and healthy!!!

Oh by the way...In case you can't tell...It's Ham, Baked Sweet Potato, and Broccoli =)

Unfortunately...

....yes unfortunately..I had to buy a new set of scales =( So 1 of two things happened.

1. My scales said...uhm you're done weighing on me or
2. I really need to lose weight!! LOL

I'm going with the latter one. =) And I am well off to a great start. As I mentioned I have lost 12lbs. Ok so now I have a bit of a conundrum...What did I really weigh on the scales that quit? According to them I lost 12lbs while they were still registering right. Yet on the new scales it says I weigh 2 pounds more??!! So I decided I am not giving up the two pounds or the 12 pounds lost. If you are following me here... according to all this mess...I actually weighed 2 pounds more when I began. Ugh... So not only do I suffer over weightness (if that's not a word...it is now) I also suffer obsessive compulsive disorder. *grins*

I'm still thinking of you all...and hoping you are having a great day!

It's Been A Week...

I told you I would check in, in a week. I have lost 12 pounds! I know it's hard and I know I have a long way to go,but I am off to a great start. I assume the first week is the easiest as far as the most weight loss in a weeks time. I have turned down a lot of good looking food this past week and yes, it killed me. (not really, obviously) I am just going to keep on pluggin. I know it's all going to be worth it someday.

This week I intend on increasing the exercise. Good ol' fat fighting exercise. I fought alcoholism and now I will fight overweight. 1 day at a time. =)

Put Down The Breakfast Burrito

And this my friend...Is what NOT to eat. I have no idea of the nutritional facts of this breakfast burrito, however I know it is more than I was willing to put my body through. I'm sure it would have tasted good. But then again...FAT taste GREAT! At least until you train your tongue it does NOT taste so great and it doesn't make your body feel very good either. =)

Dinner Anyone?

And this was dinner last night...Can you guess what it is??

Funny...but True (Picture Added)

So the other day I decided to go to Dollar General to pick a few odds and ends for the house. While I passed through each isle..I remembered...A Notebook!! I wanted to journal everything I ate on this plan. So I went to the "school supplies" isle looking for a suitable notebook to carry with me at all times. I didn't want the real thin steno notebook because I knew I would return the following week to get a new one. (yes I eat that much!) I finally found a thick but small sized notebook. It has 200 sheets in this compact notebook so yes very thick and ready to serve the purpose. I didn't really look at it, I just put it in the cart and headed for the checkout. I got home, took out the notebook and started writing. Two days later....TWO days....I had just finished writing in my lunch and picked up the notebook and slid it in my purse....I gave a second glance as I pulled it back out of my purse...I just started giggling! As I held this notebook in my hand...I stared at it...thinking wow Gwen...Not to observant are you? There on the front of the notebook read....Fat Book!

Things are going well...and I am sticking to this. I feel very energetic....or at least more than I have for awhile. =)

WoW !!

I realize you should only get weighed once a week or some people say once every two weeks. The suspence was killing me. Yesterday was day #2 and again I stuck to the plan... no cheating! So I decided to get weighed today against my better judgement. I lost 8lbs!!!! I am so proud of myself for #1 sticking to the plan...#2 being willing to learn a new lifestyle of eating. I don't need anyone telling me.."way to go Gwen"...I got that covered! (but encouragement is ALWAYS nice!) I appreciate everyone who is reading my blog and those who are leaving me comments and encouraging me...Mom and Tina!! Again I will keep you updated more as time passes and weight drops! Love ya!

Feeling Well

Well I managed to get through Day #1 yesterday. I gotta tell you...I feel awesome. Yes I do understand it's only been one day, however, just take one complete day and eat nothing but healthy after eating absolutely horrible. Trust me, you will feel awesome as well. I don't have a clue how far I will take this or how far I will make it on this plan, but for now...I'm enjoying myself and loving myself. I am so looking forward to feeling healthy I almost wanna jump out of my skin....oh wait....I AM !!!!! =)

Ready or Not...Here I Go

Well today is day #1. I am starting the "myalli" plan. My sister has lost 10 or so pounds on it in just a week or so. She highly recommends it. Along with taking this little blue pill?? I will be staying at or around 1800 calories a day with no more than 17 grams of Fat per meal. I know to me when she explained it...It seemed like a lot. She informs me...it REALLY isn't. lol

As my other sister says...it's all about exercise. I agree. I have been walking to the end of our street (trying to do every day of the week...not the weekend) with Miss Faith. I need the exercise and she needs the exercise also. Not to mention we enjoy each others company. By the way...for anyone who doesn't know...Miss Faith is my St. Bernard. (Didn't want anyone thinking I was calling a friend of mine fat).

I will let you know in a week how much if any that I lost and keep you updated.

All in all... the key to all this is... burn more than you eat. In Gwen terms that means...If you don't feel like walking...leave the snickers bar at the grocery store checkout! =)