Wake Up-You have a long way to go!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope this mid-week finds you well, happy and healthy!  As I have said before...I love people...I am a "people" person.  I find what people say, how they perceive things, etc...interesting, amusing, insightful, inspirational!!  So last night, I was sitting in the locker room at the YMCA changing clothes and getting ready for my workout!  I must admit that I was a bit tired and as I was putting on my shoes....I YAWNED really big...Just as I did that, this older, very fit, brisk walking, gruff woman complete with head band and head phones goes walking by...She notices my yawning and says "Wake Up-You have a long way to go".  Now...she was (I am pretty sure) acknowledging that I was just putting ON my shoes and that my workout was yet to begin...HOWEVER, my funny interpretation was a little different. 

I actually love little moments like this...moments when a complete stranger says something that means one thing to them and something completely different for me!  So having said that, when she spoke those words...they were funny on the surface and even funnier to me!!!  How profound!!! WAKE UP...You have a long way to go!  Amen Sista!!!!  I do have a long way to go...I must remain conscious and AWARE....AWAKE on this Journey.  There is too much that I might miss if I nod off!  So thank you gruff...funny stranger...thank you for the reminder!!! 

OK...so the only hindrance to me staying awake today is that I woke up with a cold!!!!  I started feeling a little coldish last night and today...full blown, snot having, sneezing, hacking, cold!!!! BUMMER!!!  I am at work though...sharing my germs...NICE!  I am going to workout tonight...and then home to bed...I must conquer this cold quickly! 

In the immortal words of Sweet Brown..."Ain't nobody got time for that!"

So I am forging on...MAWA Inspired and no nasty cold will slow me down...or at least not today!!!!

I hope you all have a great rest of the day and I will meet you back here tomorrow! 

For those of you taking your own Journey...Thank you for sharing your Journey with me and thank you for the inspiration of your hard work!!!

Tips for Turkey Day

Hello to everyone on this chilly Tuesday.  I hope all is right in your world.  Today is busy as usual.  Busy at work...Busy working out...you know the story by now.  I must admit.  I think that some days you guys must think...blah, blah,  blah...It is rather difficult to be interesting everyday....Trust me!

So since we are approaching Thanksgiving...I thought I would continue to post about some healthy eating tips..mostly for myself...but if you guys find it interesting and useful...wonderful! 

My friends and co-workers Lindsey and Kristen attended a luncheon today where the guest speaker was a local nutritionist that often does nutrition spots on KSBJ, a local christian radio station.  She spoke today about how to eat healthy during the Holidays.

Her name is Catherine Kruppa and she is a licensed dietitian, nutritionist etc....

She gave several tips including a sample menu, for a healthier Thanksgiving.
 Now you must know that there is the part of me that thinks...Healthy and Thanksgiving are two diabolically opposed words and should never be used in the same sentence...however, I must admit, creating less emphasis on food and more emphasis on the Thanks and Giving parts seems like a good plan considering my goal this year! 

So here are some of her tips...including the menu!

Revised Low-Fat Holiday Meal

6 oz white skinless turkey                                    260  Calories
1/2 cup low-fat stuffing                                        100  Calories
1/2 cup fat free gravy                                             55    Calories
1/2 cup low-fat mashed potatoes                           85    Calories
1/2 cup green bean casserole                                106  Calories
1 roll (no butter)                                                    80    Calories
Low-fat pumpkin pie                                            135  Calories
GRAND TOTAL                                                 821 Calories/128 grams of fat


She also gives some tips on how to make existing Thanksgiving favorites less fattening.

• Choose a plain turkey that has not been pre-basted
• Use butter-flavored Pam and chicken broth for basting...No Butter
• Skinless white meat...better than dark meat
• Gravy and natural juices can be loaded with fat
• Use fat free mayo, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream...for dressing, dips
• Avoid high fat dishes...fried foods, stuffed foods, pastries etc...
• Use light butters in stuffing, potatoes, veggies and gravies
• Cook stuffing in dish...not in Turkey
• Use Skim Milk...evaporated milk instead of cream/whole milk in recipes.
• Use reduced fat pie crusts or low-fat graham cracker crusts
• Cut sugar in your desserts by 1/3
• Replace nuts with grape nuts
• Replace whipped cream with low fat cool whip or Rediwhip

Also, she provides a few tips to do that will keep those of us that struggle with overeating from overdoing it...

• Don't skip breakfast
• Keep healthy snacks on hand-i.e. popcorn, pretzels, fruit, crackers, veggies, baked chips and low-fat dips
• Do not keep high fat desserts in your home
• Plan extra exercise around big meals
• Eat a snack before dinner...pass on appetizers and extra bread
• Don't munch on leftovers...fix a plate of food so that you will know how much you are eating
• If you go overboard, don't starve yourself the next day.  Get right back on track, exercise a little more and watch your portions and fat intake.

All of the above information was provided by Catherine Kruppa, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Advice for Eating-Nutrition and Wellness Consulting
catherinekruppa@adviceforeating.com
www.adviceforeating.com

Like I said, Mom and I are planning on making a few healthy options for our day with Family!  I am looking forward to seeing my family and spending time laughing with my aunts, cousins,etc...we love to laugh---maybe I will even lose a pound or two just laughing!!!

Thanks to Lindsey and Kristen for sharing the info they received at the luncheon and thanks to Lindsey for sending me this neat little saying!!!





I hope you guys have a great evening...I will be heading to the Y tonight for another work out and hopefully another step towards de-fluffing!!!

I DID  come up with a Thanksgiving mantra that I will share:

Instead of over stuffing...I will work on De-Fluffing!!!!

Mini Goal #2

Happy Monday to all....

OK...it is getting closer and closer to a major eating holiday....Thanksgiving...Turkey Day...and in my family we do some serious chowing down...I LOVE Thanksgiving!!!  I love the fact that it kicks off the Christmas season...or at least it used to..Now it seems that Halloween kicks off the Christmas Season...even too early for a Christmas lover like me! 

I digress...so...I am mentally preparing for food challenges on Thanksgiving!  My Mom and I are planning on taking a few things that provide healthy options for me on Thanksgiving!  My Mom is making a healthier version of Green Bean Casserole...I am not sure EXACTLY how she is planning on preparing them...but here is a recipe I found and thought I would share:

http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/sidedishes/r/Healthy-Green-Bean-Casserole.htm

I really want to look forward to time with my family and friends and NOT focus so much on food...A real challenge for a Fluffy Girl!  But...I don't want to fall behind on my goal either.  I am planning on working out 5 days this week and working out each day before Thanksgiving.  I am also planning to workout at least 2 days of the 4 day weekend.  I really must stay on track!! 

I found a couple of additional healthy Thanksgiving "sides" recipes and thought I would share...

http://www.rd.com/food/vegetable-recipes-broccolipotato-puree/

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=367245

So...to make sure that I stay on track...I am announcing Mini-goal #2!!! 

I will be doing the Rudolph Fun Run 5k on December 8th at City Centre in West Houston.  There is a link below that gives a few basic details.  I am looking for folks to join me!!!  The more the Merrier...Warning...I will be wearing a Red Nose!!!! 

I will send out a sign up link later in the week!!  For those of you that missed out on the Firefly Run...this is your opportunity to join Team MAWA for race #2.

http://itrievents.net/Rudolph_Fun_Run.html


I hope all of you that are following me or are participating in your own Journey will keep me posted on how your are doing and if you have any tips, recipes for the holidays or just fun things to share...please do so.  I love hearing from you guys!!! 

Have a great evening...I am off to the gym here in a bit!!! 

MAWA!!!!

Simple Sunday

Hello to all! I hope you have enjoyed your day.  This has been a simple Sunday for me.  Unfortunately, with the impending weather change, my head decided to split today...not literally of course...but that is kinda what it feels like.  I have slept a better part of the day.  Just part of my process I guess.  I think that is why I am so amazed that I have been able to take on this challenge...because for a while...a lot of my days were spent sleeping off migraines, pain, etc....I have had far fewer of these kinds of days in the last 2 months...God is good!!!

So since today has been low key...this blog post will be pretty uneventful!  My girl (Emily) is here...she called me around 3:30 or so and said she wanted to know she could come over and we could just chill...How can I turn that down...So, I got up, showered and now we are chillin'.  She, Tone Tone and Riley are watching Arthur's Christmas....all snuggled up in the living room and I am...well, you know what I am doing!!

Here they are:

I am really hoping to pick up the pace again this next week.  There will be challenges managing my work schedule,workout schedule and other life stuff...but it must be done!!!  I cannot quit and I cannot give in...accomplishment comes from pushing through the obstacles...whatever they might be...I feel an inspirational quote is needed!!!

How am I to know what I can achieve if I quit?" - Jason Bishop






"There are only two options regarding commitment: you're either in or you're out. There's no such thing as life in between." - Unknown


"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson




I love inspirational quotes....

I am planning on attacking this week...with excitement, inspiration, faith and with help from my wonderful support system.

This is a battle that I am going to win....

Again, I feel compelled to share this Journey, to use this Journey as a tool to share the inspiration and blessings that I am receiving...So...please share with your friends, family, complete strangers...hehehe!  I am really confidant that by next August...not only will I be a healthier human...I (WE) will be in a position to turn this Journey into a way to give back to our community...we can make our own Change...God is with Us!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw

The Fluffy Girl and the Pizza Buffet

Happy Saturday! I hope everyone has had a Blessed day!

I spent last night at Itz...one of those arcade/family fun/pizza buffet places...only it was an all night lock in with 100+ 6th, 7th and 8th graders!  WOW...DO THEY HAVE SOME ENERGY....
I was there as a chaperone representing the band parents or in this case..the band "aunt"...Emily had ask me to go and of course, I love my Pea...so I was there!  My shift was supposed to start at 10:30 pm and end at 2:00 am. 

So generally speaking, the kids behaved pretty well...I mean they were wired for sound...but certainly nothing nothing out of ordinary...But here is the funny part.  Each chaperone was assigned a specific area and The Fluffy Girl got the Pizza Buffet area...hilarious irony for me....late night eater...fighting to lose 120lbs...pizza lover.  Gratefully, the pizza is pretty mediocre (I have eaten it before)...so not having any pizza was doable.
I ended up staying until Emily's Dad got there for his shift at 4:00am...

I love being able to be a part of Emily's life...makes me happy!

So....I had to get a work out in...so after my nap...I managed to work out for about an 1 and 15 minutes. I will be working out tomorrow as well...gotta get the weight loss mojo fired back up!! "MAWA"...See You Tomorrow!

Week 12 Weigh In-Plateau City

Happy Friday to all...This has been a really crazy, busy, emotional, stressful week.  But...I am still Blessed and still plowing ahead on this Journey! 

I decided today was a good day to provide an update for those who are just joining us!  This will be the Reader's Digest Version...If you want ALL the details..you just gotta read ALL the posts...:)

• I decided on August 17th 2012, after being inspired by the Olympics and specifically, Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, to start this Journey to lose 120lbs in one year
• I decided that in order to do this...there would need to be some accountability...So I started this blog documenting my daily progress.  Warts and all.
• One of my other goals was to play volleyball again in a full on game on August 17th 2013
• Strangely enough, I decided to post my weight on this blog for all to see...no pressure!!
• I sent the link to this blog to tons of people and I continue to do so...I took this accountability thing seriously.
• I started working out (slowly) and began by walking 1 mile...joining the YMCA came next
• I decided to "Tweet" to Kerri Walsh and Misty May...weekly updates on my progress since they were the inspiration.  Kerri Walsh responded within the 1st Week!!!!
• Amazing things began to happen immediately...the support came pouring in and I was reminded how wonderful my family and friends are!
• I knew immediately that this Journey was much more than just a Journey to lose 120lbs but an emotional and spiritual Journey as well that needed to be God Driven and God Centered.
• My Co-workers rallied around me at work in amazing fashion
• My Mom, Aunts, cousins, etc...stepped up big time and have been hugely supportive
• By the end of August I dropped below 270lbs and my workouts were getting better and I was getting stronger
• I continued to hear from Kerri Walsh...A-MA-ZING
• In September...My walking distance increased, I kayaked for the 1st time, I began to increase the intensity of my workouts
• The support continued and I continued to blog EVERYDAY
• I had a few rough days...BUT Continued to be "MaWa" Inspired!!!
• Lindsey (one of my youngster co-workers) came up with the idea to do a 5K...so Team MAWA was born
• Kristen (another youngster Co-Worker) designed T-Shirts
• We chose to do the Firefly 5K...a race benefiting the Houston Food Bank!
• By the end of September...I dropped below 260lbs.
• My diabetes began to improve dramatically...
• I continued to get amazing support, messages, gifts...you name it!  God continued to work in unbelievable ways.
• October brought more messages of support from Kerri Walsh!!! AND more messages of support from my Amazing family and Friends
• In October...the idea was born to turn this Volleyball game in August  of 2013 into a charity event...Hopefully raising money for Kerri Walsh's Foundation and for a local charity within the community in which I live!
• I continued to have my good days and not so good days...and STILL felt INSPIRED!  MIRACLE!
• I coached Emily's Volleyball Team and loved every minute of it!
• I walked 3 miles for the 1st time in preparation for the 5K
• Lindsey orchestrated afternoon 5 minute workout sessions at the office
• On Oct. 19th...I hit my 1st plateau...no weight loss!!! 
• I played Laser Tag for the 1st time and LOVED it!!!  Not a bad little workout either!
• I survived the 1st "eating" holiday...HALLOWEEN!
• November 3rd, I completed my 1st 5K with the help of my Co-Workers, Mom, BFF and her family!!!! Really awesome night for me!
• My scale died...and I had to purchase a new "evil" scale that caused a slight alteration on my weigh in chart!
• The announcement of new Mini-goal is soon to happen
• I got another really kind message from Kerri Walsh just today!
• Down 24lbs
• Only 8 months to go!

As I finish this quick update...I realize that this does not even remotely cover all of the really cool, amazing things that have happened...but it does provide the basics. 

I am so looking forward to the next 8 months and to all of the experiences that lie ahead! 

I continued to be inspired, grateful, blessed...and all that good stuff!!! 

Despite the sadness this week held...there is one thing that I observed.  My friends....those friends that have been in my life in some capacity for a better part of 25-30 years...are some pretty amazing, funny, intelligent, kind, loving people.  We may not spend tons of time together...but the time we do spend is GOLDEN!!! Plus...they always laugh at my jokes...that does not suck!!
 I have been blessed with so many great friends during my 45 years...I absolutely cherish every friendship with all of my heart!  I have learned something from each one!

OK...Lucky Week 13...Here I come!!!  I have to kick start this body and keep pushing, keep believing, keep living and keep losing!!!

Say a prayer for me tonight...I am going to be locked in an arcade with 100+ 6th, 7th and 8th graders for a Band/Choir/Theater Arts Middle School Lock In...Crazy Fluffy Girl!!!


Here is a little fun inspiration to leave you with...
http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/bestoftv/2012/11/08/nr-9-year-old-gridiron-star.cnn

No Ordinary Week

Hi to all....it has been a long day.  I am truly wiped out! 
The day and funeral was emotional and touching.  Lots of people came to pay their respects and I managed to get through the song.  I was incredibly nervous!
Afterwards, we all gathered together....lots of family and friends and talked, laughed, ate and managed to turn a difficult day into something bearable. 

Tomorrow is Weigh in #12...and I am not feeling super positive...it has been a different week.  I have not worked out nearly enough...but it has been an out of the ordinary week.  I have let it go and move forward.  Life is not ordinary....

So...tomorrow is the beginning of Lucky Week 13...I want to get back on my program...work hard and be diligent in fufilling the purpose of this Journey!

MaWa!!