Re-opening

And since my last blog post the weight has found me again. Perhaps I need a little public humiliation so I'll admit the horrible number here. Sh!! It's 234. Yeah, I don't like that either. But perhaps if I admit it publicly it will keep me on track to do something about it. I realize this blog is my space. It is a reflection of the space in my head. Perhaps that space is boring. Perhaps that space is scary. But either way that space is mine. Care to follow along in my journey then check back here soon. I'm about to begin my digital food log here again. It seemed to make me more conscious of the decisions I was making. If your decision is to close the browser window, so be it. This is an exercise for my mind. Hope you'll appreciate my exercising my freedom of speech. However, I understand you may want to exercise your freedom of choice and choose to look away. Here's to seeing a digital portfolio of healthier options beginning to grow again. Time to get back on track. I need to open myself back up to the potential of what I could become. If I had stuck with this long ago imagine how much further my progress would be. But alas, I slacked. So it's time to suck it up and start again. Reopening my digital food log. Will you be reopening the page to take a look?

Paying Off - Pounds Coming Off

So my efforts are beginning to manifest themselves physical on the scale. I notice clothes are fitting differently. At my birthday, I weighed in at a disgusting number. Although I hate the number I am at currently, it is definite progress. I am now 10 pounds lighter than I was then. As I was reminding myself to have only one slice of pizza (have what you want, but have it in moderation), my eye fell on my 5 pound kettle bell. I realize that my body use to carry around an extra two of these at all times. Wow! Very glad to not be carrying that with me. Here's to continuing to make slow, steady progress. But here's the visual for ya:

Yes, 2 of these use be carried around doing all my daily activities. So glad to have put that down. Here's to removing the equivalent of a few more of these soon.

Food Journal

So yes, it is time to start journaling visually again.  I've been trying to make smarter choices. Trying to develop wiser habits. The effort is beginning to pay off. I have lost a pound this week. Finally moving in the right direction. Now that I am motivated it is time to become more serious. I need to once again photograph my meals to keep me accountable. So here goes:

Flickr Food Journal

Still Trying

Okay, trying to stick with the wellness plan. Tonight's dinner was Salmon Florentine, rice with veggies, and spinach salad. Rather nice I must say. The salmon was from Stew Leonard's stuffed with a Florentine mix. But then I made a sauce to bake it with. I combined the juice of a lemon, some basil, a little rosemary, mustard, Italian dressing, a splash of yogurt ranch dressing.  Placed the fish in aluminium foil, spread a little of the sauce, placed a slice of lemon on top. Folded up the foil as packets. Baked the packets at 375 degrees for about a half an hour. Rather decent results.

Continuing the healthier eating theme this was paired with a fresh spinach salad. Love the quality of the fruits and vegetables from Stew Leonard's. So this evening's salad was fresh spinach leaves, grape tomatoes, some lactose free cheese, and the same dressing from the fish. A perfect compliment.

Time for Neene2.1 Maybe?

Okay, so I had some express that they aren't interested in what I am eating or not eating. They could care less how many steps I take in a day. This created digital laryngitis for me. But the Fit42 challenge started up again. I began taking better care of myself. Then I lost that drive again. I realize I need to stop listening to others. The only person that I should be listening to is me. Of course there are a few thoughts I need to tell to shut-up.

So, okay, I know awhile ago I started this blog saying that it was time for Neene2.0. Well since that upgrade didn't exactly work I guess it's time for Neene2.1. Here's to hoping it goes more smoothly this time.
So I hope you enjoy reading my meanderings. If not, I hope you find a blog to read that better suits your preferences.

So, now on with my meanderings. Yesterday, I went to our local Fairway. I loaded up on fruits, vegetables, and better meats. I'm not suited to be a vegetarian. Although I see the benefits one who does live that way receives. So I bought better cuts of beef short ribs, small portion controlled steaks, chicken thighs, and chicken breast. I stocked up on vegetables too. So last night I made braised beef short ribs. I also made steamed spinach marinated with balsamic vinegrette. I love the steamer microwave bags of vegetables. So I did one of mixed vegetables. Topped them with some low fat cheese. Yummy

This morning we had big blintzes. I topped them with lactose free honey flavored yogurt. I admit they were a nice treat. I'm not usually a breakfast person. But I know it is better to start your day fueled properly. Unfortunately I didn't think to photograph it.

For lunch, I reverted to an old favorite. A French sandwich. Flat bread. Spread 1 teaspoon of extra light olive oil on each side of the flat bread. Layer fresh spinach leaves on the bread. Sprinkle with a few dried cranberries. Top with a small bit of brie cheese. Then place the sandwich in the microwave for 15 seconds. Perfect. It is very flavorful. It is healthy. It is light yet filling. Perfect!

I am hoping that returning to a  healthier way of eating will help us find a healthier way of life. I know what to do. I know what is considered healthy. It is just a matter of training my taste buds and my lazy self to choose items that are better for us then drive-thru nasty quick fixes. Fingers crossed for the proper installation on Neene2.1.

The Harvest

So hard work has paid off.  I am back down 20 pounds.  It has been an effort but I am trying to stick with it.  I've been sick.  I've been lazy.  I've made excuses.  But I've also tried to stick with it.

The fall has dawned with such vibrant color.  I am trying to remember to embrace those colors in my meals.  It is so easy to order McDonalds or pizza.  But those are not healthy options.  The other day at a restaurant I had cheesy corn out (a combination of corn, peppers, cheese and cream).  I tasted the yumminess and deciphered what it would take to create a lighter version.  I plan on serving that soon for guests.

Trying to eat a larger variety of vegetables.  Still not my favorite.  But much better for me.  So I keep trying. And I keep trying to avoid the Halloween candy.  It's on sale.  That doesn't mean I have to have it in the house for weeks before the date.  Pumpkin cakes are available again.  It's that yummy time of year.  Again, doesn't mean I need to have them piling up in the apartment.  I think maybe this all is finally denting.

Headed in the Right Direction

So recently I was asked by someone "Don't be mad at me.  Are you pregnant?" My response was "No." Her response was, "Oh sorry you know your mom will be thrilled when it happens." Yes, I know.  But unfortunately apparently God doesn't think we are ready yet.  So with the fire under my rear from this person's comment, my resolve to get healthier is back in place.  I started my battery of routine doctor's appointments.  It is time that I make sure that I am no longer my last priority.  I'm still not the type to make myself my first priority.  But it is time that I learn that I cannot come last either.

So Bill and I joined a local fitness center together.  This Tuesday I had my first appointment with my personal trainer.  I enjoyed working with her.  She gets it.  I am willing to try hard.  I am willing to work it.  I am not willing to kill myself on machinery or with too much weight.  But she did put me through some great options to see how well or not well I did.  Now she can "prescribe" a regime for me to begin following.  As I don't want to lose momentum I have scheduled meeting two with her already for next week.

Deciding to decide.  So after struggling with many different emotions and recent events I am determined to try again.  I have begun instituting some better eating habits again.  I have decided that rest is important.  I have decided that physical activity is important.  I have decided to eat the smaller portion.  I have decided to eat half.  I have decided to drink water instead of soda.

I have also decided my scale is not quite so mean.  I lost a pound under this new found resolve.  I hope to lose a bunch more.  But little goals help keep me going.  Right now my main goal is to lose 1 more pound.  That would put me below a plateau point that I have been at for a long time.  After that my next goal will be to lose 5 more.  If I keep working in small increments I will eventually reach my ultimate goal of 45 pounds lighter.

So I have a gym bag packed so that tomorrow afternoon I can hit the gym to add some cardio to my day.  I realize I need to put the effort into me that I put into everything else that I do.  I can longer come last in my priority list.  I must make time for me... offer to read a magazine for a little me time before attempting sleep so that I am well rested for tomorrow's workload and exercise.  Night all.