He's Alive

Happy and Blessed Easter to you.

Six Word Saturday

2,000 calories can add up fast

For more Six Word Saturday posts,
visit Cate @ Show My Face

Good Friday Funny

 

This is six year old Samara.

 She spent the night with me last night.

She's lots of fun,

and has the cutest giggle.

 

When I was taking her home today, we passed a cemetery.   I didn't notice her checking things out as we drove by.   We then had the following very serious conversation:

Sam:  Well, I know where they buried Jesus.

Me:    Oh, really?   Where?

Sam:  Right back there!

Me:    How do you know?

Sam:  Because I saw a really big cross.   Didn't you see it?

Me:    No, but I'll be sure to look for it when I come back by.

 

The Diet Plan Edition

Once upon a time...well, once upon many times I had other blogs...every now and then I will repost things from another blog.   The first part of this post is one of those days.  

I believe a good plan is never a bad idea; but I also believe that instead of relying on some “diet plan,” we should bring our bodies into subjection to Christ and be in obedience to the Bible, which tells us that gluttony is a sin.   Do I always abide by my own words?   No, but we are all works in progress, and each day is a fresh day with God's abundant mercies.  

From the research (mostly in magazines) I've done, I've put together the guide below, which may help you decide which eating plan is a better fit for you.    Keep in mind this is a very general and basic guideline, and may not be the best plan for you:

Subcutaneous Fat ·     Jiggly fat ·     You can pinch and move around fat on your hips, thighs, butt, or stomach. ·      Your stomach moves to your sides when lying flat on your back.	Visceral Fat ·      Hard belly fat ·      Waist circumference of 35 inches or larger (measured around the belly button) ·      Belly stays put when lying on your back.
·         Is your belly bigger than your butt?	·         Is your butt bigger than your belly?
Best Eating Plan: Low carb ·         Lean protein ·         Non-starchy vegetables ·         Small, lower carb fruits ·         Eggs, full-fat cheese ·         Lots of water Avoid:  Sugar, white breads Very limited:   Grains Rarely:  Starchy vegetables	Best Eating Plan: Carb rich ·         Beans, potatoes, fruits ·         Grains ·         Whole grain breads ∙    Drink lots of water. Avoid:  Eating too fast, subsequently over-eating, because blood sugar rises slowly; your body needs more time to register fullness.
Why? People with subcutaneous fat are generally prone to higher blood sugar levels, and the hormone leptin (which should act as a fuel gauge, letting you know when you’re hungry or full) gets out of whack. Subcutaneous fat is very sensitive to insulin, and blood sugar can soar when overloaded with carbs.	Why? People with visceral fat generally have lower blood sugar levels, with more inflammation.   The liver is your fuel regulator, but with too much visceral fat, thus too much inflammation, the liver loses its ability to regulate glucose and fats.

During one of my many Weight Watchers attempts, I found some pretty good success with this plan, which they didn't keep around very long, for some reason.  I lost 50 pounds, but I derailed myself with using my weekly calories for sugary type things.  

Weight Watcher’s Core Plan

On this plan…learn to eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full.  It’s a very healthy plan, and if you have a tendency to go haywire with carbs, don’t use any extra calories (under WEEKLY heading) for anything with sugar.   It will sure sabotage you.

Lean Meat and Meat Substitutes

·   Lean beef, lamb, pork and veal (loin or round (includes sirloin steak) and trim visible fat)

·   Ground beef (7% fat or less)

·   Organ meats, fresh, frozen or canned (ew, no thanks!)

·   Poultry – Chicken and turkey, again trim visible fat, no skin

·   Ground chicken or turkey, once a day only

·   Fish and shellfish, fresh, frozen, or canned, any variety as long as not packed in fat or oil.

·   Tofu, any type

·   Frozen veggie burgers (Always be careful in restaurants…check their websites and plan ahead!)

·   Deli meats, sandwich meat in limited quantities, low fat versions, (Research and be careful with what you are eating..no honey glazed or added sugar!)

Eggs, Dairy & Cheese

·   Whole eggs or whites as long as we prepare without butter (unless fat free)

·   Eggbeaters and other egg substitutes

·   Fat-free milk, cheese and sour cream

·   Soy milk and soy cheese

·   Fat free/sugar free pudding (made with fat free milk)

·   Plain yogurt – none with sugar (add fruit or Splenda.)

·   Weight Watchers Smoothies,

·   Fat-free, sugar-free instant hot cocoa, once daily

·   No “full leaded” cheeses or milk unless you count the calories (see “WEEKLY” below.

Fruit

·   Any fresh, frozen or canned fruit (no added sugar; canned must be packed in water or juice (not syrup); AND drained before eating, as they don't allow JUICE, see next item

·   No juice – (too much sugar)

·   Unsweetened applesauce

·   No dried fruits, (including raisins) too many calories and carbs

Veggies

·   ANY fresh, frozen or canned veggies without any non-Core-Food ingredients, i.e. added oil or sugar.

·   Yes, corn

·   Yep, beans and lentils, fat-free refried beans are OK

·   Tomato paste, puree and sauce

·   No vegetable juices...(I think if there's not a lot of added sugar, I wouldn't worry about not drinking vegetable juice.  I'm almost certain you won't OD on carrot juice.)

Soup

·   If you make soups only with core foods.  

·   Bean soups like lentil or split pea are fine, even corn chowder

·   Bouillon broth are fine, add core foods only

·   Tomato soup is allowed

·   No cream soups, though it's OK to use soymilk or fat-free evaporated milk.

Cereal, Grain and starches
Once a day only:

·   All-grain cereal with fat-free milk or soymilk. Dry cereals:  ONLY puffed wheat or rice, shredded wheat, and all bran cereals with no added sugar. Uncle Sam’s, some Kashi cereals and Shredded Wheat.  Carefully check ingredients…NO SUGAR

·   Hot cereals suggestions: Bob's Red Mill oatmeal, Malt-o-Meal, Quaker oats, steel cut oats  

·   Add fruit, fresh, canned, or frozen (don’t forget to check for added sugar and packed in water…be sure to drain...use fresh when possible.)

·   Add a packet of Splenda if you need extra sweetness.

• Once a day, have whole-wheat pasta, OR brown rice, OR potatoes. Note on potatoes – no French fries...unless you cook them on a Foreman grill. (Remember:  only ONE time a day).   Sweet potatoes are also allowed.  Again, ONE choice, ONE time a day!! 

Fats, Oils Dressings

·   2 teaspoons per day (NOT tablespoons) of heart-friendly oil per day such as olive oil.  Remember it is important to get your 2 teaspoons each day for Vitamin E.  You don’t want your hair falling out.

·   Nonstick cooking and baking spray

Other Free Stuff

·   Ice and water, including sugar-free, clear beverages such as diet soda

·   No-calorie sweeteners like Splenda, Equal or Sweet-n-Low.

·   Seasonings and herbs, without added sugar - read labels.

·   Fat-free salad dressing; Italian is pretty good.

·   Fat-free sour cream

·   Fat-free margarine

·   Fat-free mayonnaise

·   Extracts and flavorings. 

WEEKLY:

·       You can have 1,500 – 1,800 calories to spend each week however you want!   BE SURE to read labels, MEASURE your food!!  Calories add up fast!

·       You can use these calories for regular cereal, or real mayo, any treat, as long as you keep it within 1,500 – 1,800 calories.

·       You may choose to use none, some or all of your extra calories.

I cannot stress this enough:

***Be aware that sugar often generates cravings!!***   

Monday Musings: The Spring Edition

Purple Cherry Blossom

 Dear God:

Spring is almost here, and You’re giving us a magnificent preview!   The Bradford pears are beautiful; the purple cherry blossoms and Japanese maple blooms are gorgeous!   Purple clover is carpeting the ever-greening grass, and the Dogwood buds are peeking out, too.    I just wanted to say thank You.

Dogwood Bloom, UNA

Dear Spring:

I’m looking forward to enjoying you!   A new beginning for the earth, and for me, too!   I can’t wait to grab my camera and get some shots of all the blooms and buds.

Dear Storms:

I know you must be a necessary event, but I hope you stay on the mild side all season.

Dear UNA:

I’m very grateful.   I love my job environment.   I’m truly blessed to be a part of such a pretty campus.   (Again, thank You, Lord.)

 Japanese Maple Blossoms, North Florence

Dear Monday:

I don’t mind you being damp and dreary…I’d much rather it be this way on Monday than on Saturday or Sunday.

Dear Spring Break:
I.  Can’t.  Wait!

Dear Thoughts:

I think I need to work on making sure you stay positive…the renewal of springtime is the perfect time for a renewal of the mind!

Dear Words:

♫Oh, be careful little mouth what you say♪…words are powerful, and I’ll give an account for idle words.   I am trying to be more conscientious about what I say, and that starts with what I’m thinking.   Ohhhh, Words!   You are so hard to contain!

I'll be changing my motif soon...so when you visit, my little cyberspace may look different, and it may be different more than one time before I'm finished.  

Seven Months In...

    (Well....79.8 to be exact.   Close enough, don't you think?)   

I think one of the key factors in my success thus far, other than Christ, of course, is my attitude.  I am not stressing over every calorie, fat gram or carb that goes into my mouth.   I stay away from cookies, cake and candy (though I do have sugar free treats).   

I read blogs where people are meticulous about every morsel that goes into their mouths, and just as conscientious about weighing each day, and each pound they gain sends them into a frenzy.  They analyze and get depressed...and remember all the hard work and the things they were deprived of...and want to eat even more.  I used to be this way...and every time I made "wrong" choices, it usually began the demise of everything I'd struggled to accomplish.   (And every pound was usually a struggle.)  

Wouldn't you agree that's not freedom?

During my journey, I have fluctuated.   I have had "bad food" days and even "bad" weekends (never sugar-laden, but certainly carby), and I've gained some pounds here and there...but it was always temporary.  I never lost sight of the fact that I am free; though there are times I have to remind myself that I am free, and free indeed.   When I eat too many carbs, I end up just wanting to eat.  Those are the times when I have to tell myself that I don't have to keep eating, and those days are the only days when I have to fight the thoughts that "...maybe I'm not really free..."   That's why I choose to not eat sugar, I can certainly have a cookie, and at this point, I believe I could eat only one or only two, but I think I may have cravings later, and the taste of a cookie isn't worth the cravings, nor do I want to spend carbs on cookies.   That's what works for me...a few cookies and no pizza may be what works for you.

Do you talk to yourself?   Out loud?   You should!   Words are powerful.  When I struggle to believe the TRUTH, such as "I am free," because what I really want to do is eat, I say it out loud.  "I AM FREE!"   And if I don't believe myself, I say it again.   I quote the scriptures that I have tucked away in my heart about freedom.   We prevail...Christ and I...and I continue on my freedom journey, with Him at my side, (or sometimes leading me).  

Please do not think that I think I have all the answers.   I sure don't (But He does).  And I am in no way being judgmental toward anyone else's journey and how they are choosing to lose weight, nor am I being negative towards those who are struggling.  I'm only telling you my experience; that I keep believing I am free, and I keep walking in freedom.   When I have pizza or bread, I do not stress about it and think "I've blown it, I may as well eat a pack of cookies, too."  What I do is eat a slice or two of pizza, or eat a Subway sandwich, and I go on about my day.

I try to not eat when I'm not hungry, but sometimes I do.  It's a lot easier to stop when I'm full when I'm not full of sugar.  (I'm still working on slowing down!)

I'm not exercising very much, nor very regularly.

I am not counting carbs, nor calories...I'm only counting the pounds lost.

I am not obsessing about what I eat or don't eat.

I do not rely on my own strength.   (That's the big one.)

And I believe.   You really should remove the "I can't" from your vocabulary.  No more:

• I can't do this.
• I can't eat only a little of that.
• I can't lose weight.
• I can't. 

• You can do this.
• You can choose to eat only a little or none at all, but the choice is yours.
• You can lose weight (or do whatever you need to do.)
• You can.

Coming Soon:   Have you ever heard of the Weight Watcher's Core Plan?   Are you unsure what's the best plan of action for you?  I've done a little research I'll share with you.  

Monday Musings: The Shopping Edition

Dear Old Clothes:

I’m thankful for you, truly I am.   But some of you have to go NOW.   Others of you will have to go shortly…but I’m going to let you stick around a little longer.

Dear New Clothes:

I’m getting a little excited about you!  I’m actually paying a little more attention to what I’m buying…meaning, I don’t have to buy you just because you fit!

Dear Shopping Cart:

I no longer feel I simply must have you in order to shop…which was one of the myriad of reasons I rarely visited malls.

Dear Mall:

You no longer daunt me!   I actually have visited three different establishments of your ilk in the past month, and I survived!  I not only survived, I thrived!   Well, “thrived” is pushing it just a little.

Dear Prices:

Good Grief!!   You really want me to pay THAT much for a piece of cloth?   You don’t even look like you’re put together that well.   I wonder how many washes you’d hold together through?

Dear Money:

I think I’m going to have to save you a while to be able to afford new clothes when I simply have nothing else I can get by with wearing.

Dear Seven Months Anniversary:

You will be here Wednesday.   I wonder what number you will show me on the scales?  Right now you are fluctuating and hovering around 80 pounds lost.   I hope to see 80 on Wednesday…or more, even.

Dear Hope:

It’s really nice to have you back in my life.   I can’t really remember the last time we visited.   You’ve added a little excitement to my days.  I think I’m going to allow you to move in and become a permanent part of my life.

Friday Fiver

 The Friday Fiver is a blast from the past from the AOL Journal days

I still miss that old blogging community called J-Land.

Five Things I Didn't Say

But perhaps should have...

♦There are certain things to which nobody should be subjected, and I feel like you just subjected me to one of them.

♦Your skirt is just too short.   Following you up the stairs was kinda scary.

♦YOU want to complain about the distractions in here?!

♦Yes!  Yes, indeed, your butt does look bigger in that outfit.  You actually put the "out" in fit this time.  (What?   You didn't ask me?  Maybe you should have.   What?   Oh.  No, I didn't consider my own backside.)

♦You've been standing in my doorway talking for an hour, and I still don't know what you mean!