Linds' Mocha Peanut Butter Protein Shake

The typical chocolate-water; chocolate-milk; vanilla-water; vanilla-milk shake has been making me bonkers...

I'm starting to create some recipes~*~*~

Pound Viewers Score= 8
 into a blender bottle, add:

• 4 scoops lifetime fitness fast-fuel (chocolate)-- any protein shake
• 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 Starbucks Via packet
• 2 Splenda packets
• 8-12 oz water depending on desired  consistency

~shake shake shake, senora!!

carry on my wayward daughter...

so the last time i wrote was OCTOBER.... you can guess the effect of my weight loss success.

actually lots has happened since then. i joined a gym in order to provide a place to workout... i found a trainer that has been mostly a blessing but sometimes i must admit i curse at him. through the holidays and birthdays, winter weather and all those other..... reasons--if you will... i've been the definition of fluctuation. emotions~ weight~ motivation~ you name it-=-=- roller coaster it has been

as of late--i had a pretty big break down regarding fitness and nutrition. the balancing act--insanely difficult... here's the thing-- to fully succeed in losing weight there a few components that need to be in a relatively equal balance-- here's my "recipe"

1. fitness--cardio; flexibility; strength
2. nutrition--more fiber; more protein; v. little refined sugar; little fat; hydrate
3. motivating-without-judging- support system (3-4 solid people--if possible)
4. emotional stability--an outlet such as knitting, crocheting, scrap booking, etc.
5. 90-100% desire; 89-99% of the time

this has been in place since december, my biggest struggle--nutrition

April 2011

new outfit

Always Something There to Remind Me...

recently the media have been affecting me lately. if it's watching the red carpet at the emmys or the newest season of biggest loser.  i feel like i want to train for a marathon, as well as train for the next pie eating contest.  right now my body image is such a contradiction.  i want to be thin, i need to be healthy... but it's as if i want to pass my eating habits and my (lack there of) exercise routine on to someone else to worry about...

it's time to take charge and realize that the calories i consume as well as the calories i burn on a daily basis are affecting not only my body image, but my health and wellness.  motivation can't come from hollywood stars or the efforts of the brave people on biggest loser.

Burger Princess

Today I was in town and I was running errands well into the lunch hour.  All I wanted to do was go through a drive thru and open a hot bag filled with fries.  Thanks to the iPhone, there's an app for that!  I was able to quickly look up the cals/fat/fiber for yet another lovely bagged lunch.  Getting a kids meal slashes the amount of cals drastically.  2 funny things happened.  First, they asked me if was a boy or girl... I was like "I don't need a toy, it's for myself." It just made me chuckle.  Secondly, I asked for a Diet Coke as my drink........ And the refreshment came out the size of the old tupperware ma used to put my apple juice in.  In 3.87625 sips, my pop was GONE... I must pat myself on the back, however...after the smaller portioned meal, I got my "fast food fix" as well as felt satisfied and nourished with the items that were less than 1/4 of their regular counterparts.  

Decreasing portion sizes and realizing how much you're truly putting into your body is a shock when you start looking at when your body is full and ready to stop eating... as opposed to continuing to eat to fill an emotional or physical need.  With each passing day, it's getting easier to separate the need at the want.

Steady on... sort of ?!?!??!

today is a new day... that's what i'm learning to wake up each morning to begin my latest endeavor.  monday on my new diet, "pound viewers",i had an amazing day.  i stayed on my "scores" perfectly, with mild hunger pangs, just once during the day, i had no reaction.  tuesday, not so much...my hunger pangs were louder and screaming for me to eat a pumpkin spice cupcake with a score of 4.  not bad, until that's not where it ended... cheesy, greasy fajitas...

my next step is to increase my water intake.  it's not only good to fill you up and keep you there, but it helps with hydration benefiting skin, body organs, as well as calorie free.  i've read studies that show that liquid calories are more difficult to get rid of than solid food calories.  

i'd always said, "i'll refrain from substances that cause addiction". because how horrible and terrifying is an addiction to illicit drugs or harmful substances or disgusting habits.  but i've come to realize that food isn't illegal, or bad for your health, until you consume too much... and lose control of that consumption. food is my addiction.  i thought it nourished me and helped me stay alive. but i need to change my eating habits before it affects me to irreversible, life threatening outcomes, i do not want to face. i'm taking control NOW!

depressing topics make me sad, i no longer want to think about it.  i find comfort and happiness in food, that is okay.  i will learn ways to decrease my amount and frequency of consumption of my favorite guilty pleasures. my life would be sad without potatoes and cheese (my most guilty pleasures) i already know i won't be able to stay on track if i completely cut out my favs. 

ponder these two lexical changes that affect the meaning of the sentence:
a.) baby steps in moderation
b.) baby steps and moderation

one little word makes the difference, i choose "b".  

As the Journey Begins.

i've noticed that recently i've found myself at a number of crossroads. my most notable intersections have been as follows: student and professional, daughter and friend, girlfriend and partner... as a new professional i'm learning that there are things from your childhood, collegiate experience, relationships and day to day life that each have crucial roles in making you an accomplished member of society... for me my biggest struggle over my years as a student, woman, and professional, has been my weight.  i've ebbed and flowed as stresses and joys have come in and out of my life.  i would classify myself as an emotional eater in general... however,  recently my emotions have become my food and my food my emotions.  no difference in the lexical meaning in my mind...  i am no longer in control of the morsels of food i put my mouth.  it's become bigger than anything i can handle alone.  i reach for my gym shorts and suddenly i have a handful of pretzels in my hand... both are found in separate closets in my house, but i find myself opening a different closet than i intended.  suddenly the pretzels become pasta and pasta--ice cream... my health and happiness mean a lot to me--both are at stake for being maimed...if my current daily routine continues... i have summoned the strength and courage to tackle my struggle and throw a wrench into the gear of my previous eating habits... wish me luck in my journey, as it begins........ NOW!