It has been a long time since I have updated my blog, but I am still here, still doing my thing and trying to lose weight. I was in a car accident back in February 09 and it really stopped my weight loss for a time. I struggled a LOT, but this past 6 months I have basically maintained. I had gained back about 2 lbs. but worked hard to get it back off. I am finally able to get back into my workouts at least 1/2 to 2/3 where I was. I am focused again on drinking my water, cutting the sugar and eating whole grains and lean proteins. I am excited to get kids back to school and start trying to add some exercise on land rather than only in the pool.

Progress comes one day at a time...

Well, progress does not just suddenly happen. It comes one day and step at a time. I am deciding NOW to plan ahead a LOT better. I need to not leave my food till the last second when I am starving. Last night I made a pasta salad... I went big so that I could take it to church for the potluck tonight, as well as have my food for the next few days. Cut it down to size you want...

2 boxes Whole wheat pasta... cooked...
1 can rinsed low salt black beans
1 can rinsed garbanzo beans
1 can drained corn
1 little can drained sliced olives
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Carrots
Fat Free Feta... about a cup went into this
Kraft Free Zesty Italian... whole bottle with 2 boxes of pasta
1/2 cup dill relish
Herbs to taste.... Parsley, dill etc...
I just added a few cashews to it too... YUMMMMMY

I tend to steam the broccoli, cauliflower and carrots about 1/2 time just to bring out the bright colors and tenderize them a tad.

Mix it all in a big bowl and day 2 is better than the first day though it is wonderful right when you make it.

I sometimes also add diced hard boiled eggs and fat free turkey ham.

Hugs.... Tina

SRD jumpstart I need...

Well, I have not been doing very well this year with my weight loss. I am just staying at the same spot. At least I am not gaining, but still I have a LOT more to lose and need to step it up and be focused on my goals again.

I went to TOPS State Recognition Days this weekend and it was AWESOME. Great speakers and so much celebration of the successes of others. My friend April and I both did the before and after parade. They put a photo of our before weight up and we hold up an item of clothing of our big size. Then drop it so they see us today. There were literal GASPS when we came out. Then major cheers. All too crazy but really a great support and push to focus on the success and move forward again. April also received an award for Second Place at State in her weight loss division.

There were a couple of talks that stick with me. One was all about failing. That we ALL Fail. SOOOO lets chose our focus and FAIL FORWARD. By choosing to use our failures to help us learn and move forward, we can totally succeed in ALL we do. One step at a time. If we fail at something we need to simply see it as a successful attempt at finding a way that didn't work.

Another speaker grew up in Paris and spoke about the French women as being the slimmest in the world while we in the US are the heaviest. She gave us the rules that the French use and told us to try taking them on one day and step at a time. Some that come to mind include Drinking water, Walking EVERYWHERE, Eating dessert (SMALL), Eating at meals and NO snacking. There are others, but these were the ones I decided to start with.

I want to get back on track and really work hard toward my goals again. I have got TO DO THIS FOR ME!!! I am excited to see myself leaner, stronger, and healthier.

:D Tina

WOO HOOO, I lost another 1.4 this week. I want to be coninually losing and getting leaner, stronger and healthier.

I am on facebook, for anyone who does not know that... and I now have many friends who are currently or were on Biggest Loser. I am so amazed and honored that I have received many responses from them individually and personally. It is nice to see them as real people with real struggles. I enjoy cheering them on and watching as their lives change too.

Here is the post I made on www.sparkpeople.com which really shares my frame of mind right now.

Well, I know my body is trying to plateu. I began this journey at 396 lbs. I am as of today 264 SO That is what an awesome 132 lbs GONE!!! Well, I have been playing from 269-265 for the last couple of months. So last week I decided I WANT TO WIN. So though my body wants to plateau, I want to lose!

On Biggest Loser last night Bob reminded his team that they need more protien when they are working out as hard as they are. I had already decided I wanted to step up my workouts and SEE losses again. I also then updated my fitness page on Spark and my calories and balance changed to match it. I have added more protien because it is the fuel to repair all the hard work I put in and gives me the strength to carry on!

This week I lost 1.4 and I would have liked more, but I will keep going one day, one step, one meal, and one workout at a time. Each choice we make shows in our lives. Taking it one little task at a time makes it do-able.

We have GOT to "Eat to LIVE not Live to Eat!" (TOPS) We also need our support systems. I have incredible support at TOPS, with my Spark Team, and my Facebook friends.

"Don't give up and Don't give in, when you think you're finished that's when you begin. When you walk one mile, go one step more..." (Tops # WA 804, closing pledge.) JUST DO IT.... we have to fight harder and see our weigh as the adversary that we are kicking to the curb.

I WILL WIN, I have to... I never want to go back to where I was 1 1/2 yrs ago! Tina

Well, a lot has changed one short time lately...

I have had a lot of ups and downs. I have dealt with Diverticulitis which means I am having to be careful of what I am eating to not have pain. Then I was in a car accident on Feb. 20 th and the person who rear ended me and pushed me into the car in front of me of course has no license, no insurance, was driving on a suspended license and had multiple warrants out for his arrest. UUUUGGGGGHHHHHH thank goodness I have uninsured motorists on my policy and for anyone who does NOT, I do suggest that you add that.

So I am spending many hours in massage therapy, and chiropractic and while that is finally starting to do better, I managed to get the FLU and I mean big time. I have been down in bed over a week now pretty much.

But... My weight loss updates.... I have had a rough first quarter of the year, (only a few pounds.) but know that the rest of the year WILL be better!

Too Long

Well, I know it has been too long since I have posted. This darn snow is proving to be a real pitfall for my dieting. I hate not being able to get to the pool and do water aerobics. Plus I have had too much time on my hands. I had 2 big birthday parties in my house in 2 days... I made caramel and fudge for both,OK,so where is the common sense? Plus the cake and ice cream... UUUUGGGHHHHHH ....

TOPS had to cancel 2 meetings in a row due to this darn snow. Plus since it was cancelled we wentto Montesano for several extra days and low and behold We MADE COOKIES... Why is it I torture myself this way. BAD TINA.... BAD BAD TINA....OH, and another birthday cake to top it off.

OK, BACK ON TRACK...you all help keep me inline.
Hugs, Tina

New Me

Well, I was at church the other night at a party. One of my friends came up and hugged me and commented that I was shrinking so fast. I told her I had lost one of her. laughing... 125 lbs... and she told me almost she is up to 130 now. I was really excited. I have lost a whole person. I feel so much better.

Well, other than the sinus and chest crud I am STILL dealing with. Oh, and the leg that is so sore still. BUT overall my energy is amazing even being sick. I have not gotten to go to the pool for a formal workout this week but have done plenty of working out.

I primed the laundry room on Tues. then painted it on Wed. then moved furniture all day Wed., Thurs., and Friday. Today I just sorted and got rid of tons of stuff. I moved out 5 bags of my clothes and 3 of kids clothes. WOW... We trashed a bag of clothes that were SO worn out or stained. Anyway, my room is organized. Clothes hung up and ahhhhhhh it feels so much better. All my clothes either fit or are really close to fitting ... a few more pounds to go for that section of my closet. Now I gotta go finish the living room and kitchen again. Kids sure thrash things quickly. Hugs, Tina