Numbers keep dropping.....

Just climbed on the scale. I am now 255. I was like "WTF?!" with excitement and shock. That means I have lost 8 pounds in less than a week! I'm not complaining, either. This is so awesome. I am about to work out. I may skip the weights today to let my arm muscles heal a bit. Not sure yet. I want to get as much as I can from my workouts, but I know it isn't wise to push myself. If I had it my way, I would be on a treadmill pretty much all day, then hop off to do my workout, then hop back on. I know that sounds nuts, but I just wish I could speed things up and get this weight off me! I want to be thin again so badly. Healthy thin, not waif thin. Listen to me, so impatient! It has been less than one week, not several weeks. I know, I know. I need to chill and just keep working. *sigh* Ok, I suppose I have no choice. I am going to go change clothes and workout now. Then I am going to settle down for an early dinner and a movie. Alone. Hubby is working late. Looking forward to my movie, though. Until tomorrow....


*UPDATE* Well, I used the weights afterall. You know me, can't back down. Oh well.

"Waisting" away.....again....

Hot damn! I am down 5 whole pounds in less than a week! I was 263 when I decided to get back on track, and I am now 258. I am eating right and working out. Who knew sweating could feel so good? (don't get dirty minded on me, now. let's keep it clean. jeeze.) I haven't felt this good in quite some time. It is awesome. I am awesome! Loving it!

Oh, I almost forgot about that Mexican dip recipe. It's easy and it's wallet friendly. You get a large sauce pan or skillet, toss in a can of fat free refried beans (.79), a can of black beans (.92), a few tablespoons of (vegan) sour cream (2.50), a can of red enchilada sauce (1.00 - Old Elpaso is best in my opinion), one bag of Success brown rice, cooked (.50 each, since a box of 4 bags is 2.00), and 2 cups of (vegan) cheddar cheese (2.50 for real cheese, 5.50 for vegan Daiya). The cheese can be optional if it costs too much, and the dip will still taste great without it. You cook the mix on medium heat until warm and gooey, then it is ready to serve. So, do the math. For non-vegans it costs about $8, and for vegans it costs about $10 (damn the high price of vegan cheese!) But either way, you spend around $10 for something good and filling, and it will last longer than some god awful bean burrito thrown together by some kid who doesn't wash his hands. So next time, skip the Toxic Bell and make your own Mexican meal. You'll know what's in it, and you will get more out of it.

Ok, that is it for me today. I am going to reward myself. Not with food, like I used to, but with a comfy couch and a good movie. And maybe a nap. Toodles!

Feeling renewed....

 I feel pretty awesome right now. I just finished a 30 minute workout which included power walking 2 miles and doing strength training on my upper body with weights. I am so sore but so happy. I have dropped 3 pounds in the last 2 days, and according to my new favorite site, Health E Human, I just burned about 450 calories. Not too shabby. It is harder for fat people to burn calories. All those articles you read about workouts that show how to burn 300 calories an hour just vacuuming (please!) are based on women who are about 5ft2 and 125 pounds. Seriously. Chicks my size need a lot more effort to slim down, or else I would just clean all damn day and be satisifed. I am eating healthy again. No vegan junk. Lots of veggies and brown rice. To be honest, brown rice has become the staple of my diet. No sodium, low carbs and fat, and you can flavor it up so many different ways. Me likey! I am happy to be back on my workout, too. It is hard to get going, but afterwards I feel so amazing, and it makes me feel like my hard work is paying off. What a great feeling! By the way, I am proud of myself. Last night at work I went to Subway to pick up a coworker's dinner. She offered to buy me a sub since I went. I politely declined. Now, I never have turned down Subway....but I thought about it and the only thing I eat from there is the Veggie Delight. Since I am a tad picky (who, me?) I usually just get spinach, carrots, pickles (ok, LOTS of pickles), cucumbers, honey mustard, and pepper. So, I thought why wreck my hard work for a slab of starchy bread with only 3 sparsely applied veggies, salty pickles, and honey mustard with who knows how many calories in it? When you break it down like that, it hardly seems appealing. I just stuck with my brown rice and veggies. I was truly happier that way. I suggest my break down method to everybody. If you feel like eating fast food or junk, break it down and think about what is really in there. What are you really getting? Could you make it better or healthier on your own? For example, let's say you crave the old trusty bean burrito from Taco Hell (that's what I call it. or Toxic Bell.) I know from experience that it tastes pretty awesome slathered in that mild sauce. But what are you really eating? A huge tortilla made of refined (UNHEALTHY) white flour, a HUGE glob of re fried beans, less than a handful of a cheese blend, less than a handful of onions (though I always got mine without. onions are gross.), and that is pretty much it. Doesn't sound like a good choice, does it? Besides, if you have ever watched them actually make your order at Taco Hell, you wouldn't eat there anymore. Trust me. So, break down your food. Think about what you're getting, for what cost, and what you are actually putting into your body. FYI: for less than $10 you can make a vegan Mexican dip and fill some healthy tortillas with it for a wonderful, tasty meal. It makes enough to feed 4 people with some left over for next day's lunch, and it is way better than anything at the Border. Maybe I will post the recipe tomorrow. It is simple and yummy. Now, I am off to gulp water and devour a banana. Ta.

A different path awaits....

 I've had an epiphany of sorts. I can't really explain it. I just feel differently about so many things today. I honestly feel like an entirely different person. I have a new perspective, if you will. Perhaps this will induce weight loss and good health. We shall see. Maybe I have just hit a wall and maybe I am just fed up with being so static. I crave change. I crave results. It might get a bit dark, but this is where I am meant to be. This is my path now. I feel a great change on the horizon. Ok, enough melodrama. Suffice it to say I am on my way to my goals. For real now. Until next time....

Keeping my head up....

I am up way too early. I blame my husband. He had to work this morning, so the alarm woke us both. LOL. Kidding, I love him and being up early isn't so bad. Anyway, I have been diligently keeping track of my food intake with that site I mentioned yesterday. Health E Human is the link and I love it. They can keep track of all sorts of things. Great for lazy people like myself. If you keep track of what you eat, you will be surprised at how many calories sneak in under your radar. I was. Those little nibbles and snacks add up. It feels good to hold myself accountable. I am also doing a lot of research on tofu recipes. I am determined to find enough good ones at a cheap cost so that I can get out of the vegan rut. What is that, you ask? Well, a lot of vegans tend to get stuck eating the same old same old; veggies and beans, chick'n patties, bread, etc. Tofu offers some more variety. I found an awesome baked tofu recipe I can't wait to try. I would love to have a tofu press, but damn those things are pricey! I will just stick with my napkins, plates, and heavy books for now. (if you have to ask, just google "tofu pressing" and this ghetto method should pop up somewhere.) I am also looking into more varied exercise routines, so I don't get bored. One step at a time. I will make this a reality. My daily goal is to eat well and be healthy. My short term goal is to drop 10% of my body weight. My first major goal is to lose about 50-60 lbs by December 31 of this year. I am looking forward to the challenge....

The uphill struggle...

I am still having a tough time getting on track these days. Due to budget restraints, I can't go out and buy a shitload of healthy food. We kind of have to stick to what is more affordable, and that often means not healthy. I hate this. I am ready to change and finances won't allow it. People may think veggies and fruit and tofu is cheap. Well, when you have to buy other ingredients to make different dishes it adds up. Also, fruit and veggies go bad rather quickly, so you end up having to buy more and more. Right now I need to buy food that can last. I hate being poor. Hopefully soon that will change. On a lighter note, I found a cool site called Health-e-Human that helps track all sorts of things, from BMI to measurements to food logs. It is pretty neat and very helpful. I highly recommend it. I feel like posting my measurements again, but maybe not today. I don't have enough esteem going to do that just yet. I really wish I could get a grip on this weight thing. *sigh* Until next time....