Getting over Workout Fears

This is somthing that I had to do. When we first joined the Gym, I was hard for me, because I was the only one that seemed to look like a beached whale, and you would think that I was committing a "murder" by wanting to walk in the pool, vs actually swimming.

Needless to say, it didn't last long. Tried it again, and same thing. I had a tread mill at home and an exercise bike, but they got more use as a clothes hanger then their intended use.

When my husband and I made the committment, we went to another branch of the same Gym, one that would allow some of our standard weekend activities. To my surprise, more then 1/2 the people there were "not at the top of the physical fittness chain", there would actually be more walkers in the pool then swimmers. People are more encouraging, willing to help.

It truly has made a difference in overcoming those work out fears.

We still time from time go to the other location because it works better in our plans for the day and yes I believe I'm still the heaviest person there, but it does not upset me and I realise that I don't care what they think. Truth be told "I think some of them can use some of my shedded poundage :)

STUCK . . . .

Seems that I've been stuck bouncing aroung between that 258 and 259 mark for the past couple of weeks. . . I was starting to get a little depressed until my Husband and one of my "Life Style Change buddies" put things back in focus for me.

I've been exercising a lot more then what I have been, so as David mentioned I'm building muscle, and muscle weighs more then fat. Then he pointed out that "he" can see the difference and not to worry about what the scale says. . . . then he commented remember the "scale is not your friend" which is why you only weigh once a week.

I have to admit working out this weekend really felt good and I found myself actually looking forward to the work out.

Hmmm, 6 months ago I never would have said that.

Now my life style change buddy reminded me that I've have several very stressful weeks in a row, between work and some testing that my Dad was going through. So she was impressed that I had not gained weight.

So I'm pleased and once again in a positive frame of mind. Having my circle of "Change of Life Style Buddies" has been essential in moving forward. As each of us hits our little road blocks, stress, travel, family, work , a week or two without progress we're there to help each other through this.

We're bound and determined to do this the right way, because it WILL BE a LIFETIME change!

Carry On, Brown Baggers!
Denise Austin Morning Stretch . . .

Personally I eat at the office quite a bit, and keeping variety is important, because I find that I can get bored easily with eating the same thing day after day. . . so here is a great option . . . from the Densie Austin Website

I'm all for brown-bagging lunches; it's getting it together in the morning that's a challenge. I'd always rather have the girls — and my husband, too — eat something nutritious that I've prepared myself than leave them to buy food that isn't as fresh and tasty as mine. Here's my solution: a quick-to-make, absolutely delicious wrap; you can make the chutney sauce the night before and spend just a few minutes in the morning assembling them. Super easy!

If you happen to be making a roast chicken dinner, consider making a second chicken and saving some of the meat for this terrific wrap. Or use some rotisserie chicken from the market, or even some sliced smoked turkey breast. And if you don't have any chutney in the fridge, treat yourself to a jar of this popular condiment — I like Major Grey's chutney (it's a type, not a brand). The mango and pear flavors are great additions when you're looking to jazz up a chicken dinner.

Chutney Chicken Wrap
Ingredients
2 tablespoons chutney 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise 4 low-fat tortillas (8-inch diameter) 4 large red-lettuce leaves 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast, or 8 ounces sliced smoked turkey breast 1 cup finely shredded carrots

Preparation
Mix the chutney and mayonnaise in a small bowl. If you have time, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes for the flavors to develop.
Spread a scant 1 1/2 tablespoons of the chutney mixture on each tortilla. Top each with a lettuce leaf, 1/2 cup chicken or 2 ounces turkey, and 1/4 cup carrots. Roll the wraps tightly and cut in half diagonally.

Makes 4 wraps
Per wrap: 269 calories, 30g carbohydrates,

23g protein, 6g total fat, 53mg cholesterol, 2g dietary fiber, 471mg sodium

Only 300 Calories

WOW, in catching up on my reading this weekend, I read in several different places that walking the 10,000 steps is great for your health. I've talked about it several times on the blog.

I see the difference it's making, and how baggy the legs on my pants are getting, and how many times I can actually exceed the 10,000 steps. Especially since just a few short weeks ago, I thought that 10,000 steps was something that could not be easily accomplished.

But I'm surprised to realize that it only burns 300 calories, given the results, I would have expected more then those.

But when you stop and think about it, that with the reduced calories that I'm eating in my "Life Style Change" 300 is definately an increased percentage of the calories that I'm now taking in.

Rebounders . . .

I have a rebounder, that I purchased last year, and believe I've used twice. Why you may ask, after just a few minutes on the rebounder I thought that my legs were going to fall off.

One of the forums that I belong to had a thread started about "Rebounders" and if we're using them. One of the posts was about a 48 day Rebounder Challenge.

The start off the first day with 5 minutes, then seem to add two minutes daily. I'm going to start today. My legs are already sore from some serious walking that I did Wednesday this week at the Houston Oil Tool Show for work.

I beileve that I might actually be able to handle the rebounder better, since I've been doing so well with increasing my walking doing the Day to Day Activities.

Want to check out the 48 Day Rebounder Challenge . . . here's the link!

http://www.momstalknetwork.com/resource ... challenge/

I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Speaking of Women's Health

Last year one of the ABWA chapters that I belong to had a speaker, who shared with us a book, Love Notes to our Moms and other Women of Influence. Well I just got around to really looking through the book then reading it.

It's got some great information and some great "Healthy Receipes".

This week I finally got around to checking out their website , it great, a wealth of information about all issues of women's health. Check it out! http://www.speakingofwomenshealth.com

I tried the following receipe that was in their book, and also on their website.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Thanks to Mary WilsonSpeaking of Women's Health Celebrity Spokeswoman
.
INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup red bell pepper,

chopped1 Tbsp. fresh garlic,

minced1 lb. lean ground turkey breast

1 1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. red chili flakes

1/4 tsp. black pepper

15 oz. canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

15 oz. canned black beans, drained and rinsed

15 oz. can Muir Glen organic tomato sauce

15 oz. low-sodium chicken stock

1 Tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano
PREPARATION

• Heat oil in a large sauté pan. Add onion, red bell pepper and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent.
• Add the ground turkey breast, salt, chili flakes and black pepper. Brown over medium heat until the turkey is cooked through.
• Pour the mixture into a crock pot.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir well to combine. Cook for 8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high, stirring occasionally.

NUTRITIONAL ANALYSISMakes 10 (1 cup) servings. Each serving contains approximately: 200 calories 21 g. protein 24 g. carbohydrates 2 g. fat 39 mg. cholesterol 472 mg. sodium 8 g. fiber

Well it's Thusday . . .

I'm doing the Happy Dance! Yep weighed this morning and I broke a NEW barrier. The scale read 259 ! That's a total of 29 pounds.

Over and over I keep reading that you need a "good breakfast". Breakfast has always been one of my difficult times to eat. I've found that if I wait about an hour, I can eat breakfast.

During the start of my "Life Style" change in patterns I was excited about eating fruit for breakfast. It ws a major break through for me. Add that to the fact that I do need to get more "good fibre" in my diet, I started eating Oatmeal with Fruit for breakfast this past week.

I'm definately eating more, but was still able to drop 4 pounds from last week Thursday.

Maybe, just maybe all these people telling us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, just maybe right.

weight: 259 4/30/09