25 lbs down!

Last Monday I entered my weight on Weight Watchers Online. I was surprised to see a bouncing star in front of me indicating that I had lost 25 lbs!
I started WW online about 2 1/2 years ago. I was a bit heavier back then. The data base saved my information, and used my original weight when I re-joined.
Needless to say I was very happy to see that, and I am looking forward to the next 25 lb Star!

Friendships; A vital asset to life's journey

I am a sociable, and outgoing person. For over 10 years I worked in a customer service desk at a casino. My job was to talk to people all day, when we weren't busy I chatted with my co-workers. Two years ago I was the successful candidate for an Admin Level II position within the same company. I was sad to leave my job, the building I worked in for almost 14 years and all my friends, however I was excited to start my new job and finally put my skills and abilities to use. I spend most of my time now in a cubicle in front of a computer. I do love my job, and I am good at what I do. For a long time I felt like there was something missing. Sitting at my desk eating lunch alone, I began to feel lonely. Over time, I started making new friendships. I must say I have very good working relationships with my co-workers, they make my day enjoyable. Some of the co-workers I have befriended have moved on to other building within the company, I try to keep in touch with them.


I have been reflecting lately on the friendships in my life. I have many friends, some have been around since I was a teen, some are fairly new. Some I chat with everyday, some not so much. Some friends live far away, some are so close they are my neighbor. Some are women, some are men. Some are young adults some are seniors.

I believe that God brings people down my path for a reason. Each person has an impact on my life big or small.

I love every friend, with all my heart. I may not show it or say it as often as I should, but I truly do love my friends.


At this time in my life, I have the most friends that I have ever had.
I am so grateful for the support I am getting from my friends and co-workers.
My Facebook group is a great sanctuary for me. I know I can post anything and those ladies will support and encourage me.
In addition some of my friends and co-workers are helping me through other subjects that I am struggling in.


My friends accept me for who I am, love me even though I am not perfect, and come to the rescue when I need them.
I have some amazing friends.

Meal Planning-Recipe Idea-Chicken Breast

Here is a great method of making 4 different ethnic dishes, with only 90 min of baking time.
All is needed is a side dish, and veggies. These are great to have on hand for work lunches or for dinner.

Preheat oven to 350

Prepare 4 foil packets with chicken and preferred toppings. 

Bake for 90 min, or until chicken is cooked through

Let cool, place in freezer safe containers or ziplock bags.

Shown in Picture:

Mexican Chicken Topping

Black Olives

Black Beans

Corn

Salsa

Onions

Taco seasoning

Greek Chicken Topping

Black Olives

Spinach

Onions

Olive oil

Greek Seasonings

Lemon Garlic Seasonings

Asian Chicken

Asian sauce such as sweet chili sauce

Red/Green Pepper 

Asian seasonings

Roasted Chicken

A mix of different seasonings

Olive oil

Other ideas:

BBQ Chicken - Chicken with BBQ Sauce

Chicken with Low Cal Italian Dressing (Great for next day salads)

Orange Chicken - Chicken with Orange juice and rind

Lemon Chicken - Chicken with Lemon juice and rind

Office foods

I work in an office environment as Administrative Support. I find that there are many temptations in an office environment; tray of donuts, Christmas chocolates, left over pizza from a meeting etc.

I love to bake, and it was starting to bother me that I wasn't baking and sharing my sweet treats. I then realized it's the time in the kitchen I love. In addition, it's spreading joy when offering people a treat. 

I decided that this didn't need to stop.

For valentines day I brought into a meeting; a heart shaped tray of strawberries with a few Hershey kisses on the side. Everyone was so grateful, and it looked so lovely!

Recently, I brought in a large container of homemade veggie soup I had made in my crock pot. They loved it!

On some occasions it is my task to order food for a meeting. I make sure there are plenty of healthy choices available. 

There are still tray of donuts and chocolates laying around on certain days at work. I choose to ignore them now, and tell myself that it's just not worth it.

Developing an exercise routine

How do I go from couch potato to an active person?
I wasn't raised to be an active person.

We already had a full YMCA membership, and we were only using it for the kids.
Now it was time to put it to use.

How do I get my family to be active with me?
The change had to start with me first. I needed to be able to keep up with the kids.

I started first by walking the track at then gym, then I hit the treadmill and elliptical.
I started off at the gym once a week, then increased to two times a week, and now I go to the gym three times a week.
I tried a few different types of exercises to see what was right for me.
Over the past 9 weeks, I have increased my strength and endurance.
I have went to the gym with friend(s), and I have gone alone. I really have no preference, I enjoy the variety.

4 Weeks ago, I joined a Cardio Salsa class at the YMCA.
I love it!! It is so much fun, and now that I am 4 weeks into the class it is an intense workout! It has taught me to really loosen my hips. I think my body is thanking me for it. The class is going to continue to the end of June. I am looking forward to learning more moves!


Do what you love! If exercise is boring, then you are more likely to quit.
Develop a routine; times and days that work for you.

A few of my friends have YMCA memberships now. We like to go swimming together, or hit the treadmill and walk/run at our own pace.

My plans for this Summer:

• Walking in the mornings outside
• Riding my bike
• Riding my bike with the kids
• Learn one new sport (Tennis?)

My first 5K Charity walk

Steps for Life - Winnipeg, Manitoba Join us on Sunday, May 5th at Kildonan Park!

Raise awareness of workplace safety & help support families of workplace tragedy! Steps for Life - Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy is a fun 5km fundraising walk to help support families affected by workplace tragedy. Created in 2004, it raises funds to support Threads of Life programs and services for families who’ve suffered from a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. It also raises awareness about the importance of health and safety within workplaces and to the public. It’s a unique way to educate your community about the devastating ripple effects of a workplace tragedy and how we can work together to prevent others from being injured or killed on the job.

I am the team captain :)

Our Team name: "Walking Zombies"

Our Team donation goal: $300

Team members goal: 10

Steps For Life 5 K Walk - My Donations Page

Walking Zombies Team Page

Dealing with stress

I always thought I could deal with stress, until one day my dentist asked me if I was stressed out. I looked at him strangely and said “You have me lying back in a chair, and you are asking if I am stressed? Am I in the wrong office?”. He laughed loudly then informed me that I was grinding my teeth during my sleep, usually due to stress.  I could always hide my stress, well I guess I can’t now. 

Over the last 9 weeks, as my meals became healthier and my exercise became more frequent, I found I am able to deal with stress better.

Whenever I have the urge to binge I tell myself,..is it worth it to sabotage myself? Will I feel good when I see a gain on the scale because of my actions? It's not worth it.  

I find that exercise really helps calm me down and helps clear my head.

The stress in my life has not decreased, if at most it has increased. I have just learned how to handle it.

Making time for me

I came home from the gym one night and thought to myself, I missed putting my kids to bed tonight. Was it really worth it? Then I thought to myself, the kids need they're mom, and If I don’t take care of me I won’t be around. 

What are they going to remember; One night a week away from them, or a mom who is able to care for her grandchildren one day.

Please don’t misunderstand me. My husband was home to put them to bed. If my kids are sick I will skip the gym and tend to they’re needs. My family always comes first.

On Weight Watchers nights, my husband takes the kids to the library. Not only do they get quality time with Dad, but they are learning at the same time.

In addition, I am teaching my kids how to live a healthy life. I was not raised in an active home. I want to show my kids, this is what you need to do when you are grown up.

Time management and planning are huge keys in success. Making the time to exercise, time to plan meals, time to grocery shop, and time to cook are all very important.

It feels good to finally make time for me.

The Journey

Someone at the beginning of my journey said to me “Oh gosh, It’s going to take you years!”

I dwelled and pondered on that statement for awhile. One morning I had an “a-ha” moment. If people looked at a mountain, and said it’s too hard to climb, no one ever would climb a mountain. It’s not about how hard the climb will be, it’s about the journey to get there.

It took years to put that weight on, and I wasn't about to wake up and magically have lost all the weight in one night.

I have learned bad habits throughout the years, and now it was time to learn some good habits.

A New Sanctuary

Several months ago I created a group on Facebook called Healthy Living. 

I extended a public invite to all my friends who were interested. When our group became more active, I changed the privacy settings to private group. 

This is my sanctuary. It is a way I can connect with my friends about the trails I face, without my other Facebook friends, family even bosses and co-workers reading my posts. I can access this group through my cell phone, so I have the support with me all the time. 

The group is very diverse; some ladies with kids, some without, some work from home, and ages 20ish to 40ish. 

Late December/Early January one of the group members posted a weight loss challenge. This challenge made the group extremely active. We decided to add in mini challenges such as share your journal, calories burned, and steps taken.

I am so proud of our group. We are like a little family. 

Our group accomplishments;

•  Lost over 100lbs as a group
• Have encouraged members that were struggling, and helped them find they’re groove
• Have shared recipes and meal ideas
• Have helped each other through temptations
• Have helped each other with daily struggles that could cause us to fall off the wagon such as dealing with kids, work, family, and life events
• Have encouraged each other to live an active life

Where do I start?

I was determined to get healthy, I know I needed something, I just didn't know where to turn.
In the past I have done Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers online, TOPS, LA Weight Loss, and seen a dietitian. The most success I have had was from Weight Watchers.
The Weight Watchers program is simple to follow. However, it does take planning and diligence to journal every day.
Before I joined any program, I made sure all the "Junk" was out of my house. It was a fresh start.

Jan 7 2013 I walked into the Weight Watchers meting. I was nervous, and uncomfortable.
I was surprised to see the changes in the program, and I decided that day I made the right choice. This will work for me!

New Life

In December 2012 I became sick. I was sick with a bad fever, which led to an unimaginable pain in my leg. I found out that I had a blood clot in my upper right thigh, and cellulitis in my right leg. After two weeks I was able to walk enough to get back to work. The hospital said it was possibly caused by inactivity. At my follow up doctor’s appointment I found out that my sugar levels were near diabetes level.  I was 34 years old, extremely overweight and now my body was telling me it had enough if the abuse.

I decided then that I cannot live this life anymore. I need to change and fast. I finally determined that I am worth it.