Losing Weight adds to Flabby Arms

Before and after we lose weight, many of us have those flabby upper part of our arms. I figure I kept them in shape when I was younger lifting the kids up and down 100 times a day. Now, almost 30 years later, I'm carrying around my flabby arms. I haven't reached my weight loss goal and still I'm flapping in the wind.

The Self Magazine has a good article on shaping up the arms. I have a shoulder problem but this only calls for the use of 3 lb weights. I'm sure I can handle that. I like the idea of shaping them up in 3 to 4 weeks. This site has a slide you can watch that shows how to do the excercises correctly.

All though the site isn't about weight loss,I feel shaping-up is just as important. I'm hoping I can stick with it for that long. I've got the weights already. I'm bookmarking the site called Amazing Arms.Along with the slide show, there is a video as well as a printable workout log. They are making it easy for us.

Good Feelings Across the Miles

My youngest son called me several times today. He spent his Thanksgiving holiday at his girlfriend's house in California. He pulled his back muscles while playing tennis yesterday. Showing off has a way of doing strange things to a body. She is already having to be a nurse.

He has had nothing but good things to say about his new friend. I was worried...as he is still rather naive in so many ways. Today, the third call I got from California, was his girlfriend. She is so sweet. She sounds so upbeat, so full of life, so optomistic and self-confident. She is down-to-earth. I can see how he fell head over heels so fast. She's a Christian as well....can't ask for anymore than that.

She told me her parents are praying for them....we are too. I pray for Love, Peace, and Joy to be a part of their lives always.

Reminiscing over the Past

Another holiday gone. I spent the day visiting with family and friends and watching football. I was quite organized with my food preparation so I was able to spend more time visiting. The only flub happened when my sister called. It was time for the rolls to come out of the oven, so the ones on the back of the cookie sheet were too crispy. That was ok though, less bread for me to eat...just what my weight loss program called for.

I like to reflect on past Thanksgiving dinners. My favorite memory of this holiday was happened over 20 years ago. My kids, a girlfriend, and I, put on a Thanksgiving dinner for homeless people and people that were going to be alone that day. I remember seeing the joy on my kids faces as they hung the people's coats and visited with them as the food was being prepared. Everyone has such a good time. There were a couple of women who had been friends over 30 years previous and reconnected. That reunion brought tears to my eyes.

In my life, it has always been about giving to others. Often my efforts have been unappreciated. I just reflect on the act.....how did it make me feel when I did it. That is what is important. At that point, everything else associated with it becomes secondary. I see this trait in my kids. It took me quite awhile to get to the point of just thinking about the initial act of helping, and how I felt at the time, as being the thing most important. I hope my kids have reached that point as well.

Too Much Tea?

My husband and I went shopping at WalMart on Saturday. We saw the American Red Cross Bloodmobile in front of the store and decided to give blood. I haven't donated in about 10 years and was a bit nervous. I've always been afraid of needles. This is a worthwhile cause so I decided to brave it out.

I didn't go any farther than the prick in the finger. When they dropped my blood into the solution, it popped right to the top. (it's suppose to drop to the bottom} They ran another test which ended with the same results...my iron is too low making me anemic.

I was trying to figure out why my mom's and husband's were all right and not mine. I was reading the pamphlet they gave me. It stated: If you do not eat meat, fish, or poultry, avoid drinking tea with meals. Tea contains tannins which will decrease the absorption of iron. Legumes (peas or beans, for example) also contain compounds that decrease the absorption of iron. Vegetarians should eat these foods with a source of vitamin C.

I saw my problem right away. All the tea and beans I consume are making the difference. I went and bought some multi-vitamins with iron. I'll see if this makes a difference.

Trying to balance foods/drinks while trying to lose weight isn't so easy.

A Great Day in the Neighborhood

Another week has rolled by so quickly. I don't know where the time goes. The packing seems endless. I have to keep reminding myself, I'm farther than I was a week ago, a month ago.

I feel so well rested this morning. I fell asleep on the couch last night and didn't wake up until 6:45 am. I'm usually up 2/3 times a night. I can't remember the last time I slept so well. My shoulder is even feeling a little better today. YEAAA

I'm trying to come up with a plan of action today. I've started by making the coffee for mom and Alex already. I've made a cup of green tea for myself.

I just threw a load of clothes in the washer. I went through two boxes of clothes in the basement. I threw out a bunch of old shoes and few of my husbands old paint clothes. The other clothes that were mine, were all size 10. Looking at each outfit brought back memories. They are all dressy dresses and suits I use to wear to work.
I stood there looking....thinking....am I ever going to to lose the weight to get back into these? I'm not giving up so I'm taking them with me to our new home.

I'm so happy the neighbors took our couch and king size waterbed yesterday. Now we can start loading up the trailer. I also gave my old car to my cousin. I'm tired of carrying insurance and buying plates for it every year when I never use it. He was thrilled to get it.

My husband and I are heading off to the grocery store to pick up items for thanksgiving. I invited my cousin to share dinner with us. I've decided to have cornish hens (easy) and I'm making a low fat angel food/strawberry dessert.

Lifestyle Changes Need a Plan of Action

There are many people that would like to change things in their lives. From losing weight, to quit smoking, to improving their fitness. A person needs to take small steps toward reaching their goal.

The thought of change can be so overwhelming. I think that is why the weight loss industry is in the billions of dollars each year. People are looking for an easy solution and buy diet pills and fad diets to achieve their goal. Rarely do these methods ever lead to sustained weight loss. We all know, it takes a lot of effort to make change in our life.

A person needs a well thought out plan of action in order to succeed at their lifestyle change. I know, I've been like a yoyo. A person needs to write down their plan. Figure out the resources you will need to make your changes. Support from family and friends will increase your chances of success. A person needs to determine how she will resist temptation to go back to the old behavior.

A person needs to make attainable goals. Trying to say, I am going to lose 100 pounds can be overwhelming without having realistic goals. Make goals such as 1 or 2 lbs a week. It is necessary to track eating patterns and daily calorie intake. It's easy to say, "I'm going to exercise more, or I'm going to start riding a bicycle. A person needs to make a plan for when and for how long she will do these activites each time, whether it be daily or 3/4 times a week.

A person needs to realize relapse is a normal part of change. I can remember when I quit smoking many years ago. I was off them for 5 years and then relapsed. Through prayer, I have quit smoking again. I haven't had a cigarette in a year and 5 months.
It's all about being able to forgive yourself and get back on track. I've got weight goals set for myself.

What kind of changes do you need to make in your life? How are you going to attain them?

Weight Loss.......Is the Time Right?

Is the time right...is the third step in the Dash Diet. Making any lifestyle change is something a person has to do for themselves, although you don't have to do it by yourself. Sometimes family or friends push you to make changes when you aren't ready. Unless you are ready to make the necessary changes in your eating habits and lifestyle, there is little chance of success in weight loss.

The timing is important because real change takes determination and commitment. Often a person has to make more than one attempt before being successful. The only sure way not to succeed is to not try.

A quote from Jim Rohn, "Part of success is preparation on purpose. If you care at all, you'll get some results, If you care enough, you'll get incredible results."

Is the time right for you??

Weight Loss.......Is the Time Right?

Is the time right...is the third step in the Dash Diet. Making any lifestyle change is something a person has to do for themselves, although you don't have to do it by yourself. Sometimes family or friends push you to make changes when you aren't ready. Unless you are ready to make the necessary changes in your eating habits and lifestyle, there is little chance of success in weight loss.

The timing is important because real change takes determination and commitment. Often a person has to make more than one attempt before being successful. The only sure way not to succeed is to not try.

A quote from Jim Rohn, "Part of success is preparation on purpose. If you care at all, you'll get some results, If you care enough, you'll get incredible results."

Is the time right for you??

Weight Loss with a Love Potion

My son called me from California last night. He sounded so excited and so happy. He is moving out there next month. Tomorrow he will know if his application is accepted for a house he wants to rent. The rent must be pretty high...as he didn't care to share that with me. As long as he can afford it and it makes him happy..I'm all for it. It makes me feel so good to hear him in such high spirits.

He has met a young lady from there which has had such a positive effect on his life. They met via the phone when she called him for a consultation. For two months they talked for hours a day on the phone. He started working out and changing his eating habits. He has now lost 40 pounds and feeling great about himself and life.

He met her in person this past week and all is going well. I am hoping this friendship grows. It's amazing how God puts people in our lives.

I want to stay happy and healthy wherever he choses to live.

Weight Loss Potion and Spell??

I stopped over at ebay again this morning and came across this item up for bid. A weigiht loss potion and spell cast by a REAL witch. I know there are people out there that claim to be "Good Witches". I realize many people believe in that stuff.

I have no problem with people practicing this stuff except when it's used for financial gain at the expense of desperate people. Weight loss is not easy...anyone that has lost weight or is trying can attest to that fact. But to suggest there is such a thing as a magic potion is just over the top.

There has already been one person bid on this item at the price of $29.99 with a shipping charge of $5.85. I'm wondering why they keep the individual's identity private.....perhaps a normal person would be embarrassed in someone they knew saw their id bidding on such an item.

Succeed at Losing Weight

I think about how many times in my life I have tried to lose weight and gave up. I think about the three times I lose over 100 pounds and what worked for me each of those times.

I was reading the Dash Diet and the Second Step in a successful weight loss program is: BELIEVE YOU WILL SUCCEED. (Step One is recognizing your food issues.)

You can only make big changes in the long term by working on one or two behavioral steps at a time.

Remembering each person is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. What works for one doesn't mean it will for you. The challenge is finding out what works for YOU. The important thing is to set realistic and attainable goals. This will help you to succeed. To me, it's like taking baby steps.

This morning, I'm trading in a donut for a bowl of Complete Wheat bran cereal with 2% milk and a cup of green tea. (I like skim milk but no one else in the house will drink it...so I had to compromise.)

Losing Weight and Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Foundation, 9 out of every 10 new cases of type 2 diabetes, the person is over weight. This information is a good incentive for shedding those extra pounds.

My husband and I had fasting blood tests done Monday and went to the doctor's office yesterday to find the results. My blood sugar was fine but my husband's wasn't. He started taking Actos earlier this year. It is still higher than normal.

I am going to have to start monitoring his eating habits better. I always think "Green Is Good". I'm going to have to have more green vegetables.

The Diabetes website has a lot of good information. They have recipes, a message board, education, and information on the benefits of excercise and weight loss.

Rember when selecting meat, always pick one that ends in "loin". Ex: Sirlion, tenderlion. That is just one tip on the website.