Don't Eat The Kid's Candy!

I know you.  I used to be just like you.  My ex-husband would raid the Hershey bars, and I would go for the Milky Ways.  My daughter will read this and not be surprised.  She'll probably feel like the kid on the macaroni and cheese commercial, that sees his mother's book club eating his mac and cheese, and says he is going to write a book called, A Mother's Betrayal, an autobiography.  That's what it is, you know.  And, you don't need the candy.

I'm glad my daughter is in her twenties now, and I don't have to deal with betraying her and stealing her candy!  I always used to buy a lot of candy, too.  I didn't do that this year.  First year ever that I didn't buy Halloween candy.  Awesome feeling.

So are my rings, as they are sliding around on my fingers, showing the weight loss in more than just pounds.  With that happening this week, I can say that I'm glad I didn't buy any candy.  Being thinner does feel better than eating candy.

More Pounds Down!

FOUR in one week!  I am so happy I can't stand it.  That's 39 pounds just this year.  And it has stayed off!  I'm hoping for 50 gone by the end of the year, which will be more difficult with the holidays coming, but I am so motivated by two things: getting over 40 pounds lost and going under another big number.

For all of you that are struggling: it can be accomplished.  I'm not following any type of program, but let's look at what I have done.  Recap time!

1.   Stopped drinking all sodas. (2 1/2 years!)
2.   Drink unsweetened ice tea and water...all kinds of tea, but made by me.  (Sometimes I use Stevia)
3.   Added more fruits and veggies.
4.   Less meat.
5.   Eat on salad plates.
6.   EXERCISE
7.   Ice cream novelties (like a frozen yogurt bar), instead of a huge bowl of ice cream.
8.   Cutting out salt, using other spices and pepper.
9.   Weigh once a week. (accountability)
10. Joined with others on Facebook and e-mail who are also losing weight: a support system.

My dinner plate is half vegetables/salad, 1/4 carb, and 1/4 meat.  I drink a ton of water and tea all through the day, and it helps to keep my belly full.

Good Luck on your own journey!

Pumpkin Spice Latte and Exercise

I had one.  From McDonalds.  What's the big deal?  I got a small, and it was good, but it wasn't enough to start a pumpkin revolution!

Perhaps I should try the original and see if that's better.  Does Starbucks have the market on the precious coffee?  I'll get to it this week.  It was in the high 80's here today, so hot coffee is not high on my priority list.

Exercise is, however, and the trip to the gym the other day is catching up with my muscles.  The ache!  But, it feels good.  That means I'm getting stronger.  I love Planet Fitness.  It has everything you could want (except classes), and it's so inexpensive, only $20 for me a month, and that includes hubby!

I'm going to trail it this week, and perhaps combine it with working out on the gym machines.  I've got a fantastic trail, one of the best in the state, literally at my front door, so why not use it?  Where's your place for the best and most calming exercise?

The Pumpkin Got Me

I was doing so well, and even blogged about Halloween yesterday, but pumpkin got me.  Since everyone in the world is now coming out with pumpkin spice everything - because of Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte, I want it all.  I'm hooked.

Pumpkin marshmallows are disgusting.  Don't bother.
     "          waffles are yummy.
     "          ice cream is pretty good.

I have never had a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I know.  I probably should be flogged.  Anyway, when I actually make it to the gym tomorrow to work all this off and more, I may get a small PSL, just to try it. :)

I plan on making homemade pumpkin butter, as I will have control of the ingredients, and I don't with the above.  I plan on making a lot of things pumpkin!  Pumpkin is very good for you.  It's the stuff you put with it that kills the calories for the day: sugar, whipped cream, butter, and more.  BUT, if you use stevia or even splenda, well, you cut out a lot of that, and the rest of the ingredients of things can be modified as well.

Check this link for benefits of pumpkin - there are a lot!  Also, for healthy, yummy pumpkin recipes.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/pumpkin-recipes-packed-nutrition

I'll check in tomorrow...

Halloween and Weight

Candy has a LOT of calories, sugar, and fat.  If you think it's worth the extra weight and the beginning of your descent into holiday madness and the dreaded 10 pounds or more holiday weight, then go ahead and eat your kid's candy after they go to bed.  After all, they won't miss it.  They don't need it.  You do, right?  And those snack sizes are a joke, too.  You actually eat more of them than you would have if you had just eaten a regular size bar.

What do you do?  Two ideas:

1.  Put your child's candy into sandwich bags, and put them in a basket or Tupperware out of sight, like in the top cabinet.  Keeps it out of mind, and you can just grab a portioned bag for the kids when you want them to have some.

2.  Have a party, it's safer, better for snacks, and more fun.  Invite some kids over- and adults, and have a traditional to theme party.  Send the food home with guests.  Ask people to bring their own "carryout" bag, or use your own, and put leftover candy, cookies, and other sweets in the carryouts.  Don't take "no" for an answer!  Remember, you also control the snacks at your own party, so it should be easier to make a few healthy options as well as the junk.

Here are a few ideas for food arrangements that are more healthy than others...

Best Quesadillas

My hubby, in an attempt to cook something healthy for me, made the best quesadillas the other night.  Thought I would share the recipe with you:

1 corn tortilla
1 Tbsp salsa
1/8 cup of Mexican blend cheese
1 Tbsp of plain Greek yogurt
Pickled jalapenos

Take the tortilla, and put it in a medium heated pan with Pam.  Spread the cheese on half, along with the jalapenos (to your own taste) and the salsa.  Heat till lightly brown underneath, and then flip one side over the other, like a taco.  Finishing browning on both sides.  Dip into the Greek yogurt (Takes the place of sour cream nicely and combats the jalapenos!)

I put in on "My Plate" on Live Strong.com, and how did hubby do?

147 calories per serving.  The above is one serving.  He used real cheese, and I had two of them!  Great Lunch!  He did a geat job!

Losing on Vacation!

I suppose it was the all of the increased activity, but I also watched, for the most part, how I ate.

The loss was one pound on a two-week vacation, and I love it.

I would have sworn I would have gained, as I couldn't control everything.  But more often, I said, "No, thank you," and I didn't feel bad about it.  I just would say no if offered a second helping or dessert.  That's not to say I didn't love my Grandfather's homemade peanut butter-chocolate pie, or Kendra's pumpkin cookies with cream cheese chips... they were worth it.

I broke my soda rule on one leg of the trip, but it tasted good at the time, and I drank ONLY water on the next leg, so I must have flushed all that out!  LOL  Anyway, I also ate vegetarian at one home, so Darlene's chili, jalapenos, green tomato relish, and spaghetti squash were excellent and helped.  I ate more on the first leg, but I was famished after the drive and was the most active I've been for a while.  Why?

This Floridian was not used to all the hills and stairs!  I haven't lived in a two-story house for 20 years, and it is flat here.  But, all that exercise helped me to be more active.  I was on-the-go every day, and there was never really a complete down day.

I've NEVER lost weight on a vacation.  Check off one more victory!