Take a look around

So I've worked in a terribly boring city for over 5 years now.  I have been fairly lazy in those years but today i decided to stop at the community park down the road.  Who would have known....they have a menagerie of hiking trails along with a creek and beautiful flowers.  I never knew it was there. 

So I took a 20 minute stroll.  Today has been a particularly difficult day and it really did me some good to walk and get out in the open.  I'd bet if you took a look around where you live or work, you can find some really nice places to walk or run...whatever it is that you do.  Any movement makes a big difference. 

I felt a lot better when I got back, that is, until I got my first call.

OK this is me....

 

This was about 1 1/2 years ago.  I choose not to take pictures often because I'm embarrassed.  Anyhow, so as time progresses, I'll be posting more pictures. 

This week has been challenging at times, but they key is to have food in your house.  HEALTHY FOOD.  Key  point.  If you're low on cash, look for sales, coupons or whatever you can get that's that's healthy.  Keep staples in your pantry.  A can of black beans, corn and rotel will go a long way.  Or an avocado and a can of Rotel works as well...oh and an onion.  I'll list the staples that I make sure I ALWAYS have:

Rice

Black beans

Corn

Frozen veggies (buy when on sale and store)

some type of cheese

tomato sauce

tomato paste

canned diced tomatos

tortillas (you can freeze them) 

Bread

Some type of cheese

That's all I can think of for now but with those you can whip some interesting stuff up.

Tonights dinner will be whole grain pasta with turkey tomato sauce and freshly grated parm.  Good stuff. 

Proof that eating well WORKS!

Forget everything you hear about try this diet shake or miracle drug...I can give testimonial that what REALLY works is to just eat better!

Chemicals do not belong in our food.  Unless you're diabetic you really don't need sugar substitutes and really if you research, there are probably non-chemical alternatives.  If people made an effort to live better, they can do it.  I'm proof.  It takes A LOT of effort some days but the payoff is incredible.

I went to my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday and guess what? I lost 5.6lbs.  I never starved myself or even ate the WW foodstuff.  All it takes is natural food and eating small meals about 6 times per day.

A week of eating healthy...

So it's been a week of eating healthy and I have to say...I feel great. My back isn't hurting as much, no kidney or liver pain. I have energy. I can get up in the morning without dragging.

Yesterday, I hit the local farmers market. If you live in orange county here is a link to the different farmers markets during the week:

http://orange.cfbf.com/cfm.htm

You do pay a little more for things, not much though but at least you know you're getting good quality produce.

One thing that is another adjustment with eating healthy is you have to cook A LOT! Gone are the days of frozen or drive through dinners. Your food is going to take a little work to make, which is good too. I find that when I cook I'm not as hungry once I'm done. I like to cook though so every day is an adventure to say the least.

Yesterday, I played with eggplant. I found a recipe for eggplant steaks so I whipped it up. Not so good. Maybe not the best recipe to start with. I didn't care for it, neither did my husband. However, this morning I made a garden vegetable omlette with a little feta and fresh avocado. YUMMY!

I'll be posting pics and my favorite recipes soon!

I decided that I don't want to die

Decided to go to Weight Watchers on Monday. I almost passed out when they told me that I had hit 260lbs! How did I let this happen? WHY did I let this happen?

So many years of too much enjoying the food of life and not enough movement has really caught up with me.

I feel like if I don't change I'm going to do serious damage to my body and I'm going to die young. I don't want to die.

I've already been told I have a fatty liver, fibroids, irritable bowel, colitis and borderline diabetes. I snore and am starting to think I have sleep apnea. My blood pressure was a little high when I last went in. I get sick easier, everything hurts, I get major aches and pains...my knees feel like they're grinding. I have excruciating back pain.

And that's JUST the physiological damage. I wear a size 20 in pants, my feet seemed to have grown a size. Let me just say there is NOTHING fashionable in plus sizes! And if it's clingy and stretchy...you probably shouldn't be wearing it.

Luckily my husband loves me. He still thinks I'm sexy but I know it would be so much better if I was healthy. Not THIN...healthy. Let me say, being overweight also messes with your periods and sex drive. Not fun.

So this is going to document my journey to health and I'll be posting recipes and photos along the way. Good luck!