Here is the new addition to the Exercise routine. Today I am going to incorporate 50 leg raises for each leg. So far I have 50 arm rolls forward and backward, do the twist for five minutes, do 25 sit-ups and now do 50 the leg raises each leg. At this point I am doing these every day. Each week I am going to add one more exercise to the routine until I work up to about 20 minutes. I will make a second 20 minute routine, then alternate every other day between the two. Stay strong and work through the pain.

The RealAge test

I just got done doing this test on RealAge and I want to pass this on. This is a great site. I have to say, I was not happy with the results of my test. My real age was two years older than my calender age. This site not only tells you what your real age is but it offers solutions and lets you know what areas you can improve on. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes to complete. The questioning is very thorough. Just remember awareness is the first step to a successful healthy long life. Being aware not only helps you but help your entire family. What I have just read help me realize I need to step up to the plate and take better care of myself, for myself and my family.

Go to RealAge and take the test. It's FREE

Exercise!! The pain of it all

Today is the first day I incorporated sit-ups. I’ll tell you that I barely pushed through my goal of 25 sit-ups. I really wanted to stop at 20, but I figured since on was on the floor I should just push through the pain and complete the 25. If you can’t come close to doing 25 sit ups, than do as many as you possibly can, than add 5 more. Push through the pain and do that last 5. On the other hand, If 25 is a breeze, do the maximum number you can do then add 5 more. The results are inevitable, no doubt. Stay strong and push through the pain.

Exercise!!!

We are adding one more exercise to our routine. We started out with doing the twist for 5 minutes and fifty arm rolls forward and fifty arm rolls backward. Now I am going to add 25 sit-ups. By adding small amounts of exercising each week, I feel that I will build strength over time and I will not get discouraged. The ultimate goal is for this to be done over a long term period. Not just one or two months of extreme motivation and then the excitement and the motivation are over. Remember, long term is the answer. Next week we will add another exercise. Stay focused, stay strong and have a great week.

EXERCISE!!

Remember, the ultimate goal is for this is to be a long term resolution. I want to start out with a small amount of exercise and work my way up and make it more challenging each week. I do agree cardio exercises are good, no doubt. For me at this point, I feel like I am doing some cardio by running around with my 6 year old. I don’t think that’s the way I want to go right now. My goal is to build strength and SHAPE my body. The way to do that is by doing pilates. I will be incorporating pilates in the future. Right now I want to start out by dancing the twist. Do the twist for at least five minutes or three songs every day. We can’t work on our waist without working on our arms. I am going to do fifty arm rolls forward then fifty backward. Not bad, Ha!!!Have a strong week.

D.I.E.T.? Planning for the 4th of July

I’m planning for the 4th of July celebration.

Americans, we do love our food. On 4th of July we celebrate the birth of our nation and unfortunately the birth of a few extra pounds. This is another holiday that food is a huge part of. Where Family and Friends gather and share a wonderful meal, have lots of fun and celebrate this country. It is a comforting thought. It’s not comforting the next day when you say D.I.E.T.? (Did I Eat That?) Disappointment sets in. Not This Time! I am going to try to shave off a few points each day until Saturday the 4th. I am going to make teriyaki vegetables and Broccoli and pecan salad. This is going to help with balancing the meal out on the 4th. There will be all the other standard 4th of July food like, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, BBQ pulled pork. Our friends are all bringing their specialty dishes and all I could say is Mmmmmmm. I didn't mention the desserts. Hence the shaving off a few points each day. Plan what you eat and eat what you plan. Stay strong.

Grandma’s chocolate covered refrigerated crunch bananas

These aren’t exactly Grandma’s chocolate covered refrigerated crunch bananas. Grandmas are in the Heritage cookbook recipes. Grandma’s original recipe.

Yesterday my sweet child wanted something sweet to eat. He specifically wanted Grandma’s Chocolate Covered Bananas. I had all the ingredients except for the Hard Shell Chocolate topping and cherries. Instead I found some melting white chocolate and colored sprinkles. I topped the bananas with those ingredients. The bananas were delicious. Thank you Grandma.

As you can see the boy is just a little happy.

Weekend Diet Pep Talk

Ok. Here is my weekend pep talk. I need this just as much as anyone else.

Weekends are always hard. We are not in our regular routine and we are usually out and abut. It’s easy to pick up something on the road then to prepare your planed meal. Since this is the 1st week of the plan. I urge you to stay with it. Don’t lose it now. Keep focused and follow the plan no matter what. Then you can say WOW! One week down, three more to go. The next three weeks are just a small stone throw away from looking at the success of all your hard work. The lowering numbers on the scale. The feeling of accomplishment is a wonderful feeling. How many time have we started a diet and gradually gave up and stopped. Then months have passed and we look back and say, I wish I would have stuck with it, I could have lost ???? lbs. by now. Let’s not do that this time. Let’s complete this small journey and see it through to the end.Stay focused and stay strong.

Week two Grocery List

Let’s start to prepare for week two of the Diet Plan. Perpetration and planning is half the success.I have created the second week’s menu in the 15 Minute meals and I have made a new grocery list.

Getting ready for the second week. The first week will be gone before you know it. So far I feel great and very satisfied. I’m not depriving myself of good tasting food. I feel confident the second week will go just as well.

The second weeks Grocery list.

The grocery list has a lot of the same items on it but what I have done is highlighted all items I still have from the week prior in red. The grocery list is minimal this week. The weekly menue is in my D.I.E.T.? 15 minute meal recipies. Good luck everyone. Remember, plan what you eat and eat what you plan. Stay strong and only buy what is on the list.

18 oz of Roast
6 lbs of boneless and skinless chicken breast
1/2 lbs of sea scallops.
5- Low fat Breyers yogurt
½ gallon skim milk
1-8 oz. Low fat Cream Cheese
1 doz. egg
1 box Post, Selects Great Grains, raisins, dates & pecans
1 box Nabisco Wheat Thins, 5-grain crunch
1 bag of plain mini bagels
1 loaf light whole wheat bread
1 box Lipton Vegetable recipe soup & dip mix
1 box Kellogg’s Fiber plus Antioxidant chew bars.
1 lb of grapes
1 small container of strawberries.
1 watermelon
3 bananas
Small jar of Low fat mayonnaise
1 Small bag of Carrots
Celery
1 small bag of salad mix
2 green bell peppers
1 red bell pepper
2 Vidalia onions
1 bunch of scallions
1 bulb of garlic
1 bunch of asparagus
10 mushrooms
1 cup zucchini
1 small red onion
1 head Chinese cabbage
1 oz packet chicken gravy dry mix
3 oz Gorgonzola Cheese
Corn starch
1 can baby corn ears
¼ loaf French baguette bread
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound cheese tortellini, without sauce
1-pound potato Pierogies
1 can fat free refried beans
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 cup salsa
1 reduced-fat sour cream
1 tsp unsalted butter
Monterey jack shredded cheese
1 pound refrigerated potato gnocchi
9 oz fresh spinach (you can put this in the freezer until ready to use).
15 oz. Jar Classico Creamy Alfredo four cheese sauce
15 oz. Jar Classico Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo Pasta Sauce
Olive oil
1 can beef broth
1 box 10 minute instant brown rice
1 small bag frozen sugar snaps
1 bag frozen string beans
1 can bamboo shoots
1 cup stir-fry sauce
1 bag of Green Giant Roasted Potatoes with Garlic & Herb sauce

Slow and steady. one step at a time.

After the 1st week I will start to incorporate some exercise. I am going to go slow and steady. I want this to be a long term resolution. I don’t want this to be something I do for one or two months and get discouraged and give up.