Out with the bad

I've been here before. It's not a good place to be.

It's not pretty or comfortable.

I have gained a few lbs. more than what I already consider to be my max. Like, I was already pushing it. Now, I'm climbing past pushing it.

No way. Not gonna go there.

So, on top of trying to run more often, I will be avoiding certain foods - as much as I possibly can.

No more of these favorite yummies. (cry...pout...sob)



Or this.



Or this staple. (Okay, once in a while, I've gotta have this)



Oh, and no more of these absolute favorites (with a cup of coffee, oh yum). (sniff)



Or this in any shape or form.



Or this other staple.




I will be however having LOTS and LOTS of this.



Any cooked forms of these.



Various forms of these.



And just about any kind of these.



I've gotta do it.

Wish me luck.

Especially with the no-sweets. That addiction is like a drug to me. I don't know what to replace that craving with. Sugar-free candy perhaps? I'm not much of a candy eater though.

We'll see how long this can last.

Hopefully back in a routine

So, I've been needing to get back into some type of exercise routine. I haven't been walking (much less running) like I used to do every day. So, yesterday evening, in between making dinner and helping Jacob study for his Science exam, I got the inspiration to just do it!

I strapped on my walking shoes, put on my MP3 player, and quickly ducked out.



The sky yesterday evening was the bleakest of bleak. It was totally white, misty and it seemed to come down on top of you. Since we have gone from SNOWING and COLD to MUGGY and WARM, we are now blanketed in fog - this morning. Yesterday evening, I don't know what it was, but it almost dreamlike, as if the this heavy white sky had descended on us. Had it not been for my music, slightly blaring in my ears, it could have been depressing.

I walked and walked, as fast as I could, enjoying the sounds of Kutless, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, Leeland, and Casting Crowns. Looking at all the Christmas decorations, and a few people adding the finishing touches to their displays.

I find this time - during a walk, to be so exhilarating. I am always in awe of God. Whether it's a beautiful sky, or like yesterday evening, when a bunch of birds flew overhead, in the shape of an arrowhead - across the bleak sky. I lose myself to the point I am singing aloud - but not loud, and catch myself hoping no one can hear me! It's a time of prayer and praise, and hopefully calories burned and muscles toned!!

I come back home when it's almost dark, feeling energized. And looking forward to my next walk!

Day One

First, I just want to say "Thank You!" for everyone who made such great suggestions, and are praying for Joshua (and me!).

Day one of trying to limit salt was.... Half and Half. For breakfast, he wanted his baked cheese puffs..... I used to feel okay giving him those for a snack (not breakfast), because they are baked, no artificial preservatives and colors and such. But sodium levels, I don't know. Since I have never had to look at this before, and until we get to the specialist, I don't know what is high or normal or low amounts of sodium.

Me and Jalyn had to go to the dentist yesterday morning (yeah!! No cavities for either of us!!). After I brought her to school, me and Joshua went to "The Circle Store" aka, Target.

I walked around the food section, trying to find replacements for 2 of his favorites - popcorn and chips. His pediatrician said he needs to eat lots of fiber, and popcorn is on the list - but of course all the kind I had already bought is loaded with salt. I saw "Low Fat", "All Natural Butter", "No Butter", "97% fat free", "Low Fat", and on and on and on. But not one box said, "Low Salt". Not one.

Then I decided to try the chip isle. I walked up and down the 2 chip aisles, searching for anything "low sodium". Nothing. Not a bag.

Now, of course I do realize that Target isn't your neighborhood health store, but PLEASE, could they have ONE low salt option?

Oh, there was one thing - I ended up buying him a can of "Low Salt Cashews" - because he loves these as well.

Lunch was a little Pizza Hut pizza at Target - we shared it. I know, the cheese and the sauce has sodium in it. I took off all his pepperoni's - if that counts for much of anything.

For dinner, I did the best. I made chicken strips, battered in whole wheat flower, wheat germ, and "No Salt". So, he had a plate of chicken, cheerios, and cashews. Oh, and ketchup - which of course has lots of SODIUM in it.

If you can't tell, I'm still overwhelmed. Finding it very hard to eliminate salt, unless I cook or prepare every single thing he eats.

Anyone know any ketchup recipes?? Just joking. But seriously, I think I will look on "Food Network.com" to find some!

My mom made me feel better by telling me that she knows there is a line of chips at Walmart that is labeled, "A pinch of Salt". I will have to go. Of course, if I could just serve him a plate of fresh veggies and fruit, and say, "Here dear, eat up" - in my sweetest voice, and IF he would eat it, I would be so pleased, and most of these "concerns" would disappear. But, alas, he will not do it.

Cookie Monster

Okay you guys - this is me. Now in all actuality, I've probably had many cookie crumbs on me, but I would never drop that many cookies!

Really now - sweets is my..... My thing! It's my weakness - the thing in life that is hardest to say no to. I've never done drugs - but my addiction to sweets must come close to what it is like to be a drug addict.
I really don't know if it's genetic or not - by my old "Granny" - whose been gone for many years now - ALWAYS had to have something sweet after she ate her meal. It was planned what it would be before she sat down to eat. It would be waiting on a napkin next to her meal and her cup of tea.
Granted - it was usually a couple of fig newton cookies or something not so bad like that.
Just like her, I have got to have something sweet when I am done with a meal. I'm thinking of what it will be before I am even done with my meal. Many times, I will stop eating my actual meal - just to get to what comes after! (I know, I may be hopeless) All my friends and my Mom know this about me, and when I eat at their houses' - they are prepared with something for me.
So now - here's the hard part.
I am trying to give up sweets!
It was hard just to type those words!
Here's what started my main trouble. I discovered some new cookies that actually aren't new at all - but I had never had them before. They became a true delight/addiction. I was eating them all day, oh, they were wonderful with a cup of coffee.
Pecan Sandies. Just about the best cookie I've eaten in a while. My husband said they were kind of bland and tasteless. To me, they were heavenly.
And those heavenly little cookies pack a walloping 170 cal. per 2 COOKIES!!!! Of course I didn't know this for the first couple or three packages I consumed! It wasn't until the second to last package that I realized with shock how horribly fattening they were. Well, I had already bought the "buy one get one free" deal - so I had to eat the last package (you know, one last time!)
So...... Now I am trying to do what will surely kill me.... No more sweets - not the real stuff anyway!!! When I want something sweet - I will have a sensible bowl of cheerios, or cornflakes - sprinkled with a packet of the fake stuff.
Even as I write that, I feel depressed!
Couldn't I go back to the good old days - when my metabolism was as fast as my ability to shovel food in....
Only with the power of God will I be able to do this!