Sticking to it...even on the weekend!

Well I made it through my first weekend while on Weight Watchers, and a weekend that included going to an arts festival nonetheless. There were lots of yummy vendors there I would have loved to tried, but I just kept sipping my iced cold water instead of giving in. I went with my daughter, mom, sister, and little niece. It was great to be outside and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather.
We decided to have lunch at an Irish Family Style Restaurant and instead of chowing down on potato skins and some shepherds pie or other sinfully delicious food, I opted for the Cobb salad. I know a Cobb salad is probably not the epitome of healthy choices, but once again, baby steps my friends. I chose the Cobb salad because I do get a lot of points on Weight Watchers and it was late in the afternoon and I had barely used up any points, so I figured why not fill up on some greens and veggies and get some of my protein in all at the same time. I did enjoy a half cup of beer cheese soup, it was REALLY good...and I found out that it was only 4 points, and it was worth the points for sure.
So, I think I did pretty good considering we were at a carnival type event and I managed to stay away from all the junk food I so commonly crave.

Here is my sister, daughter, and niece enjoying the Ferris Wheel at the festival we went to. One day I will be on the Ferris Wheel with my daughter. Proud of my sister for her success with losing weight & being able to maintain her weight loss. I hope to have the same success she has had and look forward to fun moments on rides with my daughter.

My 8 point lunch

I am quite proud of the salad I made today. It tastes like it could be from Panera. I used spring mix lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, cucumbers, craisins, 2 slices of turkey bacon, a 1/2 cup of grilled chicken, and a serving of light ranch dressing.
The salad was very filling, tasted really good, and was packed with lots of veggie goodness. Oh and don't forget that big glass of icy cold water!

Day 1 on Weight Watchers

I set small goals for myself this week... one of them is to drink at least 8 cups of water a day and the other is to track my WW points everyday. Day one of seven accomplished! Baby steps people...the weight will eventually come off!
ps...I love my new cup! I think it makes it more fun to drink water when its in a cute cup!

M.I.A on the blogging

Well I have been M.I.A. for a while now, and sad to say I have not continued down a path of healthy eating and fitness since ending my juicing fast last summer. I kept with the changes for a while, but my poor habits eventually came back. I kept off maybe 10 lbs of the 30 or so lbs that I lost. Lately I have had some issues with my thyroid and also diagnosed with low iron. Those two things combined with my bad back have left me with a desire to start juicing again. I don't believe I will attempt another 30 day fast, but I would like to start adding a few juices to my day just for starters and then do a small juice fast just for detox purposes and to help with my back pain. I know its a difficult road, but when I think of being relieved of my back pain, it gives me that extra motivation. I have a few friends that have started to incorporate juicing into their diet and its nice to have friends to do this with. I alsi really miss blogging, for some reason I stopped, I think because I strictly dedicated this blog to my juicing fast. I realize now that I don't have to just blog about juicing, I can use this blog for general purposes too, jhst to write about the typical things, the good and not so good, whatever may be on my mind. So, I am back. Some days I may post about my health status and diet/exercise routine and some days I may post about something that has nothing to do with health. I just miss putting my thoughts down. I always used to journal throughout my teen and young adult years...once I had a baby I stopped updating my journal as often as I used too, so this is a good way to start back. As my blog states. "In Him, I can" I still cling to that promise. I don't cling to it everyday although I know it to be true. That promise is true in every aspect of my life, so I will still keep that the title of my blog as a reminder to myself and others that the power is not within me, but in Christ alone. Thanks for reading!

Random Photo: Palm trees make me happy! I took this photo recently while in Hollywood, Fl. It is beautiful there, just as beautiful as South Beach but less crowded and touristy, but had plenty to do there as well.

It's been a while!

I'd like to start off apologizing that I have not kept up with my blog lately. Life got crazy busy and with lack of time my blog became less of a priority to keep up with. So I am sorry for those who have been wondering what's going on. That being said, here is a quick update on how my juice fast went. I started with a goal of 10 days, and made it. Felt so good I decided to go for 30. Well, I made it 22 days...I know I would have made it the full 30 days had we been home and on our typical routine but with all the bookings my daughter has been getting lately and having to travel and be away, it became really difficult to juice..so I began basically not eating or drinking anything for 2 days; which I decided pretty much went against a healthy lifestyle and decided to incorporate food back into my diet...with a goal of making it mainly veggies. I have found that my taste buds have changed and so have my cravings. I enjoy a nice salad and enjoy veggies that I never really did before. I am glad I did the fast, I felt great while on it and I actually miss it since I have really slacked off of incorporating juice into my days. I plan on juicing again but it will not be a fast, it will just be incorporated into everyday life...maybe 2 to 3 juices a day to make sure I am getting lots of nutrients and filling up on things my body loves. I have also slacked on my exercise, but I plan on picking that back up as well...baby steps! Its so easy to get distracted from goals when curveballs are thrown at you left and right but as long as I find my way back that's what matters! I lost 30 lbs while on the 22 day juice fast and I weighed myself today and surprisingly I have kept off 22 lbs of what I lost...and for being off the fast for 15 days now, I feel pretty good about that. I also realize that I don't want to undo all that I have done, so its time to get re-focused and stay the course. Hope this gave a quick update and wasn't too long! :)

Day 21, still hanging in there!

Its been a while since I've updated my blog, no worries, I am still juicing! I have just been so very busy and haven't had time to update all that's been going on.
I am almost done with day 21 and I have to say that I can't wait until I get done with day 30! I am so ready to be done with my juice fast, it's not even funny. I almost gave in last Saturday...it was all beginning to be too much for me. I was getting sick of the juice, and I felt like I would rather just live off of water then to drink another glass of juice. But, that was after being up all night at a slumber party my friend and I had for the high school girls we lead at church; in which there was pizza, wings, cookies, cake, chips, etc...that night was NOT easy, but I managed to get through it. Saturday afternoon I was just done, ready to throw in the towel, but I have some great friends and some awesome teens who are cheering me on in this journey and they encouraged me to not give up. They looked up juice recipes for me and made me a juice that I hadn't had before and that helped me get back on track. Saturday night I was co-hosting a Cinco de Mayo party for my sisters Graduation party and I had to prepare all my favorite Mexican food...I was able to make it through making all my favorite dishes without sampling them. And at the party, I drank the juice from the homemade salsa, it was delicious! I somehow managed to get through two very difficult nights in a row.  Now, I am on the road with my mom and my daughter, we are in Georgia getting ready for my daughter to shoot a music video with a Christian singer (she was chosen in a open casting call to play the young Jamie Grace for her new music video). Usually one of my favorite things about traveling or going on vacation, is eating at new restaurants and trying new foods, so this has also been another challenge for me. I have managed to continue juicing even while on the road. I haven't been juicing, I have been purchasing the Naked juice at the grocery store. Mainly been drinking the Green Machine with an occasional Berry Veggie drink, and trying to drink as much water as I can. I haven't really had time for exercise, so I will have to start my walking back up when I get back from Georgia.
Something I have noticed while being on the road is that there are food billboards everywhere. Restaurants billboards, fast food billboards, it's crazy how the temptation to eat pure junk and unhealthy food is everyone around us. Its no wonder we have an epidemic of obesity in America and especially with our kids. So, as much as I am having a difficult time staying on my juice fast, when I notice these things around me, it makes me glad for the changes I am making! I can't wait to start implementing good choices in my eating. I am craving veggies like crazy, and I plan to eat veggies and continue juicing for one or 2 meals a day after my 30 day fast is up. I plan on getting back to my walking for sure, I miss it.
Oh...good news! I had to go shopping for a few clothing items today because I don't have much to wear in the size I am in right now, so that was fun getting to shop and actually being able to fit into something without it being too tight and having to squeeze myself into it. Yay!
I knew this was going to be a difficult journey, but I didn't know it was going to be this difficult, I didn't realize just how much this would affect me mentally and emotionally and even socially. So much of my social life is built around the enjoyment of food. I am glad I am learning to enjoy veggies, I'll be able to eat all the veggies I want pretty soon and I can't wait!!!
Well, if you read all of this through...thanks for taking the time to check in and see how I'm doing. I hope I am able to encourage others in knowing that if I can do this, anyone can...no seriously, anyone can! I don't know how Phil and Joe did it for 60 days and to those who are doing it for 60 days, kudos to you! You have my utmost admiration. I am just ready for day 30 to get here...ready to chew again, lol!

Day 15 - the half way mark!

Day 15 is here, I have accomplished half of my goal and I hear it gets easier as you go, I'm holding all you folks who have said that to that promise! LOL! This past 15 days have had their challenges, rewards, ups, and downs to say the least...but all in all, I am glad I am where I am today and not where I was 2 weeks ago. Two weeks ago I wasn't able to stand to wash the dishes without my back killing me, I wasn't able to walk more than 10 minutes without my back killing me, I was tired all the time, I ate nothing but junk and too much of it. Today I have more energy, my back isn't hurting me, let me say it again, my back isn't hurting me!!! Yes, that is very exciting! I notice now when I clean dishes I am not in pain, when I'm walking, I'm not in pain...that in itself is an amazing feeling and a huge relief. I have lost 24lbs, that is a nice bonus, I've lost 2 inches in my waist, I am starting to believe in myself again, believing I am capable of having a life full of the joy that is inside me. So, yes, I have given up eating food for 15 days and drinking veggies and fruit instead, but I have gained so much more. I am learning so much about nutrition along the way as well. I have already incorporated what I'm learning by changing dinner and snacking habits for my daughter. I am buying more whole foods and staying away from processed foods...not to say we can't ever have that, its just not a staple in our house anymore. My daughter is willing and that is so awesome, she knows if I can drink veggies and fruit, she can at least eat them! Last night she snacked on zucchini with some ranch, its funny how tempted I was to eat her zucchini, lol. I am finding that my taste buds are changing. I can't wait to eat salads, veggies, and try out new healthy recipes I have found. I think I am on a great path and although it is hard, I am still fighting the temptations everyday and the urge to run through a drive thru or have "just one bite" but I keep reminding myself of the temptations Jesus faced and overcame, I remind myself of the things my loved ones have overcame, and of my daughter "those little eyes" who are watching me and looking up to me, believing in me, proud of me, my family, my friends...so many who are praying for me, supporting me, loving me, encouraging me! I have so many reasons to stay on this path of better health. I am realizing just how selfish I have been by giving in to my temptations of eating poorly and over indulging, it not only is a lack of discipline, but it is actually very selfish. I was only considering myself, not thinking of others and how what I was doing affects those who love me so much. I pray that I never go back to that, I know I feel this is something I will always struggle and fight with in my life, but I pray that I will keep that in the forefront of my mind and never lose sight of what the end results of making good choices will be for me. Ok...so today is kind of a rambling on post, sorry, but I haven't blogged in a few days and I guess I had a lot to get off my mind. By the way....I have upped my walking from 10 minutes to 20 minutes, and today I already did a 20 minute walk and will go for another 20 minute walk this evening with my daughter! YAY! Feeling great about that. Thanks for reading and for anyone who is following along that is on this same journey, I just want to tell you to stay strong, this is only temporary but the benefits will be long lasting!