Putting that energy to use

Saturday was a busy day. Got a lot done. More than I could in the past. I wasn't even tired afterwards. Crazy. Full of energy and motivation. I've never known these feelings before and I love it.

Here is a little sample of what I got done:


Sewing room before and after

 After getting the sewing room in shape I worked on some zombie dolls. Here are the two I made:

Zombie 1 with her mini doll



Zombie 2

 So it was a great day for me. I'm sure your asking yourself, "Why in the hell is she excited to clean and sew?" Easy. Because it's the first time in a long time I have been able. I know I have a long way to go to reach my goal weight but believe this: JUST A LITTLE WEIGHTLOSS CAN MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN YOUR LIFE.
Don't focus on total amount you need to lose, it will just discourage you before you even start. Focus on losing one pound. Than focus on the next pound after that.

Remember consult your doctor before beginning any weightloss plan. Don't be afraid to try different programs until you find one you like. And you don't have to stick to just one. I am on two different plans and that work for me and i'm happy with them.

My BodyByVi
Weight Watchers

Bouncing off the walls

So two weeks ago I started drinking the BodyByVi nutritional shakes. I have had great things happen to my health. My once extremely dry skin is now so soft and smooth and I am finally off  insulin shots!

Now another 'side effect' of feeding my body great nutrition is I have so much energy. I can't sit still! I am so full of energy I am literally bouncing off the walls and can't sit down. Which is not good for lazy me who wants to watch her favorite TV shows. Now it's very good for new me who has the laundry caught up and is able to do a lot of sewing. I plan on finishing up two zombie dolls tonight!

Tomorrow I will use this excess energy to clean and organize my sewing room. (it is a total train wreck). Maybe clean out the 'junk' room. Oh... new thought I may just move the sewing room to the junk room and make the sewing room a..a... I don't know. A guest room? A workout room?


When I finally work off some energy I have some planning to do:
1. I am working on my reward/bucket list. I hope to share it with you one day.
2. I need to make a goal list. I find it works for me if I have small goals to work toward. Gives me focus.
3. A novel I am working on is way to long, I'm going to murder it and start from scratch. Which is just insane since I'm well over 20 something chapters into it. But oh well it's my make believe world and it needs an over haul.

Dinner time and tonight's shake is... Almond Joy!!! I will share the recipe tomorrow.

As always... there are so many good weight loss plans out there. Research, find one you like, talk to your doctor and do it!

Just another wonderful day

Today’s Shake:

Snicker doddle !!! This is another one I love.

The shake:

Two scoops of the bodybyvi shake mix (2 points if you are on Weight Watchers points plus)

8 oz. water (you can also use skim, soy, or almond milk)

Some vanilla extract

Cinnamon (I use a good bit but I am a cinnamon freak. You may want to use just a dash or two)

Honey (I put in last over top the ice before blending or else it sinks to bottom and sticks)

1 packet  Truvia (optional, I use because I have an extreme sweet tooth)

Ice

I add everything but honey and ice to blender and blend for a few seconds to get it mixed well. Then add ice followed by honey. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Don’t forget if you use this as a meal replacement you need to have two to three healthy snacks a day and a healthy meal. Don’t starve yourself! Weight loss will come when you put in the effort but do it the healthy way!

Today:

33 pounds lost

Still insulin free

AS ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE BEGINNING ANY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

A Road Taken To Often

Diabetes is a rough road travel. But it is a road I put myself on and now it’s time to take control. For years my sugar has been controlling me. I’m tired of it. This is the year I get my health back on track.

I will do this, one pound at a time. One healthy habit at a time. One positive thing at a time.

What I have done up to now:

·         I started Weight Watchers and lost 30 pounds. I have many more pounds to go.

·         I have taken all my meds on time and every day. (In the past I hardly ever took my meds as I was suppose to) *I am now off my insulin shots*

·         I eat 2 apples a day. I have discovered I love love love apples. Granny Smith apples rock!

·         Most times I make healthy food choices.

·         I have weeded the negative people out of my life.

·         I learned to accept myself and my flaws (this was the hardest)

What I am beginning to do and plan to do this year:

·         I will focus on nutrition. I am doing this by way of BodyByVi and educating myself.

·         No more obsessing over the number on the scales.

·         This week I am going to slowly add exercise to my daily life.

·         My mental health is just as important as my physical health I am going to take steps to bring some sanity to my life.

·         I am going to try new things. Maybe face a fear or two.

There will be times when I slip. I am okay with that. It is what I do after those bad moments that will define me. Continue my healthy path or give up?

Ready to take charge of your health? Here are some links.

My BodyByVi Site

Weight Watchers

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Insert title here - because I can't' think of one

Yes I am a big fan of Weight Watchers and BodyByVi.
Do I wish everyone was on these two programs? Yes I do. But everyones journey is different.
If you are overweight and want to change that, DO SOMETHING!
What works for me might not be what you want.
Just please try to do something to change your health for the better.

If you are out and about on the web and see a plan you want to try. Research it, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, and ask yourself if you are ready to commit to a change in lifestyle. Yes a change in lifestyle. There are no miracle weightloss plans (people may claim it but uh...no). The key is to pick a plan you can live with.

Don't be afraid of change and the work you have to put into it. No one can lose the weight for you.
I have been on plans in the past that many people flourished on, they lost weight, kept it off and improved their life. Why did those plans not work for me? I was not ready to change my life. Plain and simple. It was easier to sit on my ass and let my health decline. People my A1C was and 11 !!! That is HIGH. I was killing myself. I hurt all the time, getting out of bed tired me out, I went through my day miserable and hating myself.

One day my mom said lets try this Weight Watchers points plus plan. I said sure with no intention of trying. But I read the plan...hmmm. Sounded easy enough. What could it hurt if I tried? I promised myslef to try it for 24 hours. I could commit to one day. That one day went to one week which went to one month. You get the picture. Three months into my new lifestyle my A1C was 6.6 !!! WooHoooooo !!!

It is not easy. I still make bad food choices. I avoid exercise at all cost (I am working on changing that). I do on occasion gain a few pounds back before I get control again. Some days are a breeze some days I struggle and have to take it minute by minute. Sometimes I win the battle sometimes I lose. But I NEVER give up!

There are a few things I do that I feel add to any plan.
 1) I look at success stories to inspire.
 2) Podcast (Reasonable Diet/Six Minutes of Sanity is the best! Sandra Ahten rocks!)
 3) Keep a sense of humor. It will help you get through the dark moments.
 4) Read. Write. Some sort of hobby you can turn to calm the mind.
 5) Make a lists of rewards/bucket list. Read it when you need a kick in the tush.

The journey of a thousand miles may begin with the one step but the journey to a new you begins with putting the fork down.

I was thinking should I end all my posts with "Put down the fork and get off your ass" ? Too much? What do you think? Please share your thoughts.

Yummy for the Tummy

Last nights BodyByVi shake was: Pina Coloda!
Ok... this is the best so far. I have loved all the other flavors I've tried but this one made me feel like I was cheating on my weightloss journey!

The Shake:
Two scoops of the BodyByVi shake mix (2 points if you are on WW points plus)
8 oz of almond milk (add a little water if you want)
Fresh pineapple - I used two handfuls
Small Spoonful of jello pudding coconut powder (optional)
Coconut extract
1 packet of Truvia (totally optional, I like my shakes on the sweeter side)
ice

I find that the shake blends better and easier if you add everything but the ice, blend a few seconds that add the ice.Blend until ice is well crushed. Enjoy this sinful tasting meal!


Also, still insulin free. Don't worry I check my sugar levels often. *I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  I AM NOT RECOMMENDING YOU DRINK THE SHAKES AND STOP TAKING YOUR INSULIN OR ANY OF YOUR MEDS* I am working closely with my doctor and as always I respect her opinions and follow her advice.

No major changes in my weight at this time but my clothes are much getting a little too big! Woohoo !!!

Yes I am a big fan of Weight Watchers and BodyByVi. Do I wish everyone was on these two programs? Yes I do. But everyones journey is different. If you are overweight and want to change that, DO SOMETHING! What works for me might not be what you want. Just please try to do something to change your health for the better.

The next step

Ok...WW got me started and gave me the tools for my weightloss journey. I still have a ways to go before reaching my goal weight.
Now I'm focusing on my nutritional short comings. I'm sure a lot of you have heard of BodyByVi and the 90 day challenge. I'm not going to lie I thought to myself, "How can a shake help me? I've tried every shake out there and they did nothing for me, except put weight on me."
Some family started selling BodyByVi and I though. what the hell. I give it a try for a month or two and help my family out in the process.

Got my kit last Thursady. The shake powder is designed so you can make it any flavor you want. (almond joy rocks by the way). It is not gritty (big plus for me). You can customize the plan to fit your needs and it goes with my WW perfectly.

I was shocked by how much I liked the shakes. But I was more shocked by a positive side effect of getting great nutrition. My skin. Those who know me can back me up. My skin has always been beef jerky dry. Every lotion and skin trick known to man (and woman) I have tried. But with skin as dry as mine lotion could not even soak in to even try to help.

Day 3 on my challenge I noticed my skin felt different. It was soft and felt sooo good. Honestly I did not know skin could feel this good, I never knew any different. I'm not going to lie... i can't quit rubbing my arms and hands because they feel so good. Hubby is getting jealous. haha.

Any way... I'm not trying to get you to buy. I'm just telling you my experience. You can go check the website out for yourself. If you give it a try you wont regret it. If you decide its not for you thats okay too. You are on your own weightloss journey. susansurcy.bodybyvi.com

The journey of a hundred miles starts with...an apple?

I read the Weight Watcher points plus start up booklet. I told myself, "Self, try it for a day. 24 hours of your life you can devote to this and see how it feels." I'm sure you're thinking, 24 hours! What kind of commitment is that? Well for me a big one. With most diets I didn't not make it past the 3 hour mark. Why?

Here was my line of thinking... If I die with the next few minutes, would I want my last meal to be something tasteless and nasty? (Yes, true story.)

The first 24 hours began with a trip to the grocery store. I bought a few meals and a bag of apples.

My first ever meal to begin the mission to a new me was an apple. Have you ever really sat and ate an apple and only focused on the apple. The noise it makes when you bite into the crispy apple. The juice that shoots all over the apple and your hand. The sweetly tart taste. The texture as it rolls around in your mouth as you chew? (FYI: this is not an erotic story you pervs) As i took my time to eat this Granny Smith apple i realized this was the best sweet treat ever. It really did beat candy. Yes I was shocked too.

I had three small frozen meals that day and two apples for snack. Don't knock the frozen meals, it is a great way to learn portion control if you aren't into measuring every bite of food that goes into your mouth.

The day ended just as it began: with me on this new diet. I was not hungry, I did not go over my point limit and I knew I could live with this plan. I also made a new best friend...the apple. Thank you ever so much Ms. Eve for taking that first bite!

Facing the facts

The day I began to change my life I weighed 207 pounds. I have weighed more in the past but no matter the type of diet, or amount of exercise I was never able to drop below the 200 mark. I have always known, this weight amount was my barrier. My downfall. I would get close to it but never 'get there'. So i would give up and the weight gain would start up again. In my heart I have felt that once I drop below that 200 amount weightloss would be a breeze and I would be on my way to a better me.

I knew I was going to lose weight this time I just hadn't figured out how I was going to go about it. I was checking out diets and not finding anything that appealed to me. Than, (drum beat inserted here) my mom called. She was buying her a Weight Watchers start up kit and wanted to buy me one. I panicked in that moment...Weight Watchers was a group thing and I am not a group person. (there is a story about that which I will share at a later date). Plus to me Weight Watchers seemed a little to cult like and I do not want to be a cult follower. A cult leader maybe, but not a follower. Well my mom must have sensed my weariness she said, "Susan you don't have to join, just follow the program."

Against my better judgement I said, "Okay mom get me the kit." She told me i would have it in a week or so. So during that week of waiting I ate like there was not going to be a tomorrow. That week I was miserable (like every other week before) my sugar was out of control, my stomach hated me and showed me how it felt by torturing me, and even getting up to go to work was a huge task, i just had no energy.

So to recap...over 200 pounds, health on a major decline and the fear of an early death was an everyday thing to me.

Facing the facts:
207 pounds
sugar numbers never dropping below the 200 mark
waist, 50 inches.
2 x and 3x shirts
22 size pants (tight at that)
hip pain
breathlessness
depression
oh and lets not forget...I hated my self for being fat. I was a failure. To myself and others.

One Fat Chick Bio

I'm 38, overweight, out of shape and suffer from obesity related illnesses.
But I'm on a mission to change all of that.
I'm recaiming my life one pound at a time.

Some days are a breeze others, not so much. First let me tell you how I got fat. I could blame my weight issues on the bad things that have happened to me in my life, my brother was murdered and my little boy passed away. Oh, I did have jumps in my weight during those times but the reason I am fat is....I love food. Food is great. The feel of chocolate melting and coating my tongue with that lucious milk chocolately goodness. Yum! Pizza, on my goodness, PIZZA. The best food ever! tons of melted cheese over top of crusty garlicky bread. Mmmm Mmmm good. Potato chips, what can I say about the potato chip other than it is the best snack ever made.

See I love food, sadly not the heathy variety.

I also hate to exercise, ok hate is a strong word. I really don't despise exercise, i'm just too lazy. Why exercise when there are books to be read, movies to be watched and a million other things that are way more fun than making ones self sweat.

My love of food added to my inactive lifestyle equaled: one fat chick.

I am 5'1 and over 200 lbs. (well not now, I way less) I have type 2 diabeties. I take several meds: two shots and 3 types of pills. I am suppose to take more but I don't. Walking up stairs is torture, seeing my feet over my stomach: impossible. My balance is bad, my blah blah blah. I could go on forever about the negatives of being fat.

After over 15 years of being fat it happened: i realized their is no magic pill that will make me slim, my doctor can only help me so much if I'm not willing to help myself, and spending countless amounts of money on unused exercise videos will not give me the healthy body I crave. I was so tired of living my life around my med schedule. I was tired of hiding my body behind bulky clothes. I was tired of waiting for my life to happen. I was tired of be tired all the time.

Finally my mind, body and the universe aligned perfectly and a light bulb moment occured. I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN LOOSE MY WEIGHT. NO ONE CAN DO IT FOR ME.

Thus began my mission to acheive the healthiest version of me.