Just a Thought

It's Monday and I am off of work. I have a few things I need to accomplish today, but thought I would share a some thoughts before I get going.

God showed me a few things about food and the way the world is more and more regarding it - Americans especially.

God gave us our bodys that require nutrition. He provided nutrition on this earth in many different varieties: vegetables, berries, fruit that grows on trees, meat, and etc. As a gift to us, He gave us tastebuds so we can enjoy our nutrition. I mean lets face it, if you couldn't taste the food and it was just another chore to do, would we do it as often as needed or how bland would life be? So to be able to savor the different flavors and textures of our food and drink is truly a gift. Yet, as we humans have done with most things, we have now turned our focus onto the flavor and enjoyment of the food and have forgotten about the nutritional side. We now eat to satisfy our tastebuds and have disregarded the important nutrients that are needed to keep our bodies in good health. In doing so, we have perverted the wonderful gift God has given us. He wanted us to have enjoyment as we nourish our bodies, but we are no longer nourishing them as we should. Instead, we have given our tastebuds control of what we eat and drink and that is why we find ourselves in the condition that we are in. It is time to get our priorities in check. It is time to get our bodies healthy and strong and not let our tastebuds rule our thoughts and eating habits. We gave them the control- it is time to take it back!

It is time to put our health and nutrition in proper perspective. AND it is time for us to whip our bodies into shape so we can do what He has called us to do!
~Judi

God is Working in Me!

Just a quick update. I have lost 76 pounds as of yesterday. I am still working out with my trainer Ryan at Hammer Bodies and eating as best as I can. I have attached before and after photos, if you care to look.

What a difference 45 pounds can make!!

I have a headache and dizzy feeling today, so I think I might be getting a cold, but I hope it will pass soon. It is almost the 4th of July and I don't want to miss out on all the fun.
Have a great holiday everyone...

Been a while

Well, to God be the glory, I am down 62 lbs! That is right. If this chocaholic, food addict can change her ways, by the grace of God, anyone can! I feel like I have been set free. And I have been. Today I went to eat a cookie that someone set out in the breakroom at work. I took a bite and thought this isn't satisfying, but I took another and knew, it wasn't worth losing my peace of mind over. I threw it away! Me, Judi Neeley, threw a chocolate chip candied cook in the trash can! A year ago I don't think I would have had the will or the power to do such a thing. God is stronger, when I am weak. God is stronger than any addiction I have. He is my light and my salvation and my STRONGHOLD! I love the transformation my body is making. Slowly but surely the weight is coming off. My muscles are getting stronger, and my appetite is getting weaker and surprisingly my tastebuds are changing towards the healthier, "greener" foods.

Also I am training for my first half marathon in October. I won't be running it, but I want to finish under 3.5 hours. I plan on keeping a 16 min. mile. I have been able to maintain a 17 min. mile for 5 miles. I know I will do it. I hope to be down in the 210's by then and that will help tremendously!

Food Conversion Chart

After a little research and going to different sites I put together on One page an easy conversion chart for cooking with dry goods and fluids. I hope this helps you. Click on the image and it will get bigger.

By the way, I am 1.5 pounds away from my first 50 lbs lost! I am so excited. God has been so good!! Just two more times of losing 50 lb.s and I will be where I need to be.

New Year, New Attitude

It is a new year and that calls for a clean slate! If I have made a new resolution this year it is to GO FOR IT! I need to forget the past failures and press on to my goal. Also, while I am going for it, I WILL keep a good attitude! Remain in JOY! I have a tendency to get stuck in a rut of muck and mire and lose hope. Not this time. I am going to keep my focus on CHRIST and let him help me achieve my goal.
Too often I take things into my own hands and try to run with them. It amounts to the equivalent of a cripple running with scissors; I don't get very far and I seem to always end up hurt and worse off than when I started.

So if you are ready to press on for the prize with me, let me know! We can keep each other accountable.

My prize is to reach 80 pounds lost this year. I lost 40 last year and want to step it up a bit and really and truly practice what I know to be true and right. Which is Eat Healthy, Be Healthy and Move!

You should join me! Isn't it time for you to be all that Christ has called you to be? I know it won't be easy ~2011 proved that!~ but it is so worth it!

So to start the year off right - eat a salad for supper! ~don't pour on the dressing! Don't pour on the cheese and croutons! Do fill it with raw spinach, green leafy lettuce, carrots and cucumbers.~
And add 4oz of lean meat.

~TIP~

You have heard the saying, "You aren't supposed to wear white after Labor Day". Well, my nutritionalist has told me, "Don't EAT white after labor's done (when I get off work)". White being sugar, flour, and starches; basically all white carbs are out after 4:30 for me. Carbs from fruits and vegetables are limited.

Here is to a Happy, Healthy, Productive and Prosperous 2012!

In Christ,

Judi

Merry Christmas

Well, it is a little late, but since no one reads this anyway it won't matter.

When you are trying to lose weight, the holidays are hard! I can't even tell you how hard it is to deny temptations, when they are bombarding you all day, every minute, every single second of the day! I can say the more you say NO, the more empowered you get. But then Fudge comes along and totally melts your resolve!

I love fudge. It is smooth, creamy, chocolaty and full of delicious savory flavors that satisfy my very happy taste buds!! I feel it from my head to my toes. A good creamy dark chocolate pecan fudge can make my toes curl. I am drooling as I type this and I have had enough to sink a ship!!

Oh fudge! How I Love/Hate thee! My hips scream out thy name! My scale curses thy presence!

To top it off, typing this blog has been the most exercise my body has gotten this whole week off! Well, that isn't exactly true, but very close.

Enough is enough! Time to get going. Time to stop sitting and watching LMN movies and get moving. But what should I do? It is way too cold outside to do anything outdoors. Isn't it? Well maybe not. I could bundle up! I also have an elliptical downstairs...in the cold,dark, dank basement.

Okay, if I can do it, (and I will!) then you can do it!  I will lose at least a pound before the end of the year! Not just water weight either! lol, cause that would be too easy.

Well here is too a happy, healthy and adventurous new year!

New Recipe

Okay I know this might sound sickening to some of you, but I have a new recipe for Turkey Sliders! It involves Hummus and Cucumbers. They are low in fat and calories, so it is good for me to eat. And who knows, I might just like them. Which would be a plus since I have not been making smart choices lately. Not that I am eating bad for me foods, just not eating food period because I don't know what to eat that will satisfy my silly stubborn tastebuds! 

Oh and I have decided that laying off of chocolate for two weeks (oh my gosh!!!!!!) will be the best thing for me. I just need to stay away from sugar period to get my flavor savors in check and cleansed.

Will be walking tonight hopefully and maybe some elliptical. Need to start whipping up on my fat! If it don't like it, it can just leave! (please let it leave!!!)

Anyway, if the Sliders work out I will post the recipe.  Stay tuned...

STOP!

If you know me well, you know I hit every RED light there is! Lights see me coming and turn yellow then red immediately.  I don't know why, it just seems I am a magnet for them. I think maybe God has a message in this for me, but what? It seems everything I do - whether it is housework, writing my book, going on a trip, helping someone, and yes even losing weight - or try to do, I run into a giant Stop sign! 

Today, my van is on it's last breath and I just needed it to take me to work and back. I literally had to stop at every light in Union. Six of them in a three mile stretch. My van tends to stop breathing and chokes on me when I come to a stop. I have to turn off the car and restart it. ANNOYING!!! On the trip home from work, I kept asking God why He was allowing the lights to turn red on me, no answer came. However, while I continued to hit red light after red light, my van never died. Which is an amazing feat all in itself.  Yet, I still whined...and whined. When I pulled into the driveway and my van coughed, but didn't stop breathing, God let me know - I made it home! 

Indeed I did. I humbly apologized for being a whinny baby and started saying Thanks. 

I have been a BIG WHINNY BABY a lot lately!  Thankful for what I have, but very discontent. Especially with where I am in my weightloss. I see the photo down below of me three months ago and 35 pounds lost. That was, again, THREE months ago. Now I am only 40 pounds down. Thats 5 pounds in 3 months! Really?! Seriously, I have busted my butt, but my butt won't come off! Neither will my gut! Stoplight! Don't get me wrong, I am not going to stop. What I am going to do is stop stressing over it. It has to come off eventually!

I have even started jogging while I walk. Stoplight! My knees are not liking it at all and you can forget about my lower back even wanting to do anything the next day. But I will prevail! I feel better - minus the knees and lower back - and know I am doing all I can to do. Really?! Am I? 

No, I should walk more. Twice a week, really doesn't cut it. I rationalize that it is now dark when I get home and that is is freezing cold in the morning. I have an elliptical downstairs I could ride anytime, but do I --NO! Why not? - I have no answer to that. Which is an answer all in itself - laziness! Not enough motivation! Really? Seriously, 275 lbs isn't enough motivation?

Well.....GO already!

Eat well, exercise, drink water, sleep, & repeat! and the weight stays on.

I have not blogged in a while. It has been a rough week. I have lost the drive to really push. Don't get me wrong I am not eating the wrong things, just not to motivated to workout. When I do work out I don't lose weight, when I don't workout I do. But when I do work out I feel better and have more energy, and when I don't...I don't. Don't judge. It would make sense for me to work out to feel better and then the weight will come off...easy for you to say when you aren't facing the fact that I HAVE worked out for far toooooooooooooo long and the weight HAS NOT dropped. I have been on this plateau way tooooooo long. It has been three months and I have only lost 5!! lbs. What?!?! I do what is right and have stayed the course. Why isn't it dropping.

Tears are forming in my eyes right now as I think about how hard I have tried. I guess the past two weeks I have kind of given up with the doing anything extra.

Somebody help me!! I need to get out of this body!! I really need someone to come over and make me do it. I just don't have the strength right now to do it when there are so many things to do around the house. I rather not eat anything than exercise. Not good I know...

Wrong Question - Part II

So you know the real reason you need to start losing weight and you have the some of the knowledge to do it.
I say "some" cause you need to get some more knowledge on what is healthy for your body. Some exercises may be too strenuous for your body. For me I just started walking. Once a week I walked a mile. Then two miles. Then twice a week. Then three times a week. I also cut back on eating. I started paying attention to portion sizes. It was extremely hard the first three weeks really. I felt deprived and hungry. But I wasn't really hungry, I just thought I was, so I learned to drink water instead of eating more food.
That worked for me. I went and got a wonderful trainer to teach me exercises and to keep me accountable and encouraged. Along with a trainer I got a nutritionalist who is teaching me how to eat. You may not be able to do that, but the internet is filled with great healthy info.
Find a person to keep you accountable. Preferably someone who has been through it. Someone whose been through it can give you tips and they know the struggles. They can sympathize with you. But it is good to have someone who will also tell you like it is and not give in to you.
You have found your motivation and the answer to why. Write it down and keep that in your mind everytime you want to cheat or quit. Don't quit. Don't give-up. It will come off. It will be a slow process at times, it may even stall, but it will come off. 1 pound at a time. 2 lbs a week is good!! and any weightloss a week is good!

Now....just DO IT! Go ahead, start walking....

Wrong Question - Part I

This is a message God gave me yesterday that I just started preaching out loud to myself when no one else was home. Please note God gets all the glory for this. He gave this to me to empower me. I pray it will do the same for you.

When someone asks me "How did you lose weight?", I have learned that they are asking the wrong question. Because honestly, when you think about it, everyone knows HOW to lose weight. Everyone. Two words. Diet & Exercise. That is how. You aren't going to be able to do it any other way and have success losing and keeping it off! It just ain't gonna happen.

So then what is the question that should be asked? I am convinced, from my past experiences that it should be "Why did you lose the weight?" or to make it more personal, which is what needs to be done, one should ask, "Why do I need to lose the weight?". Why do you need to? Why do you want to? What is your reason? Is it to look good? Is it to be healthier? Maybe you need to go deeper. What is the real reason you look at people who are thin or have lost weight and feel that longing to be like them? Is it so you can feel better physically? Is it so you will be around to see your kids graduate? Get married? Is it to be able to see your grandkids not only grow up but play with them before they do grow up? Or could it be even more personal, like, so you will fit into your spouse's arms? Maybe you need to lose the weight because you know you are not able to physically do what you are called to do. Are you not able to fulfill your purpose because of too much extra weight or you aren't physically in shape? 

What is your "Why?" Until you are able to answer that question openly and honestly you will continue to try and fail at losing weight or getting in shape. Think about it. Pray about it. Ask the One who knows all things to reveal it to you.  And be ready to do some hard looking at your life. 

When you have the answer read Part II.

Encouragement for the Soul

“I freed a thousand slaves.  I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” Harriet Tubman

I was a slave to my food addiction, but I didn't know it.  I would do whatever it wanted me to do. I never said no, but always thought I was in control. Some control, I coward in front of cake. I whined for lack of chocolate. I was no match for the power of food, and had no idea what a stronghold it was to me.

However,

I am freed in the name of Jesus Christ, who is my strength!! I don't have to bow to my addictions anymore. I no longer have to feel ashamed and weak. I am not strong in my own strength but in the Creator of all things, Jehovah God. He is my strength; He is my provider; He is my healer. He has broken my chains of slavery, for I was in bondage to food, and has set me free. 

Free to live my life on purpose! With a purpose! For a purpose! Praise be to Him alone!

-Just had to share that! 

Party!! what to have that I can eat...

My son Timothy graduated tonight. So we had a small party for him. That is probably the hardest part for me in my weightloss journey (wlj). I never know what kind of food to fix or serve and celebrations call for cakes! There needs to be a healthier solution. I did get cupcakes so there were single servings. I ate 3/4th of it. But I had fried chicken and potato salad also! It was quick to buy and easy. I didn't have time to fix anything myself,so I took the easy way out.
Everyone liked it, and Tim was blessed and had a great time. I can't believe how grown up he is!
What would be a good alternative to cake?

Back on track!

Okay, I am rid of "Old Judi" mentality and have gotten myself back in a good frame of mind.  Went to the Fitness Center and road the elliptical for 2 minutes longer. Up to 17 minutes!! One of which was going backwards. Not to pat myself on the back, but "Yeah Me!!" Tomorrow I will go for 20 minutes...I will let you know how that goes.

I haven't weighed myself yet (been about three weeks now) but I am assuming I am at the 278 mark. I hope. I will find out tomorrow morning. Trying to stay positive!

What would be a healthy dinner for my family and I, that the fam would actually eat? Any Suggestions?

Another week down!

Haven't weighed myself in a while, too scared of what the blasted scale will say! I know, I know, I have been working hard and eating right, but sometimes the scale doesn't agree. It has been a little rough lately...not to stay on my diet, but to have hope that all I am doing is actually accomplishing anything. My clothes still fit the same. I have such a long weigh (pun intended) to go, and I know that it will take a while to get there, but I should be losing more than 1 pound a month!! Which is what it feels like.

However, I will press on!
So to help myself get in the right frame of mind, I have decided to list some good things about working out and eating healthy. They are:
 1- I can go up stairs without embarrassing myself by breathing hard  or stopping midway up cause I can't breath.
2- I walk faster and with a longer stride.
3- I am stronger
4- I can squat down and rise back up without holding on to something or falling on my face!!
5- I don't think about food all the time now
6- I don't fear sitting on things and having them collapse from my weight near as much.
7- Confidence is coming back
8- I have met some truly great people along this journey, who have either helped me by going there with me, giving me guidance, and/or encouraging me to keep going.

To anyone reading this who doesn't know me, I hope you will start your own journey and share it with me. It isn't easy, but it is soooooo worth it!

Keeping it going!

I am almost at the 40 pound mark. For the first time ever, I can truly see myself thin. I know I will succeed. I did the elliptical today and lasted 12 minutes. Not bad for someone who could last only 8 minutes a week ago. Been working out and staying consistent on my diet...there is no going back to eating junk, processed foods. They taste nasty to me now. God truly has delivered me from that kind of eating! He gets all the glory! He has sent people at just the right moments to encourage and strengthen me in this "losing" journey.
I have decided to reward myself with a full body massage every 50 pounds I lose. I used to turn to "nondiet" foods, like ice cream, brownies and such, but I have just incorporated them into my diet on occasion. But truth be told, I don't eat that but maybe once a month, and I don't miss it.
I love how my body is shaping up too. I love being able to squat down and pick things up! I love not having to have someone else do things for me cause my health or body fat won't let me! AND it is just going to get better!!!!
I see others in the gym at work (students) who need the same routine as I have and want so badly to help them, but I also know I wouldn't want someone walking up to me and saying, "I can help you lose weight!" AS IF!  lol. I have to keep reminding myself, I still need help too! I have not made it yet... I will though, watch out world, Judi is almost back!

Today is hard

Today didn't start out great. I weighed in this morning and found I have gained 4 pounds. Hard to see after working so hard on my diet and exercise plan. I know in my head not to get discouraged, but my heart is broken! And my stomach is yelling at me to go back to the refrigerator and empty it!! Good thing I am not at home today.
So I  will pick myself up and go walking at lunch, and continue to do what needs to be done. I can and will do this! I will triumph over this!!
This morning after I got done weighing myself, I committed to try something new to encourage myself. From now on every morning I am going to give myself a little mirror pep talk. I look myself right in the eye and say:
"I need you to do four things for me today:
1- Give your diet and exercise plan 100%. Eat right and do what you know you need to do! You can do it, and you must. I can't stay this way. 
2- Give your husband and boys 100%. They are awesome and deserve your very best! And let them know you appreciate them by doing what needs to be done and by words of mouth. 
3- Give 100% at work.  I will do my best. I love my job, so stop complaining about petty things and do it! 
4- Give God 100%. Talk to Him, Listen to Him and read His Word. He deserves 100% from you cause He gave you His all!"

I hope I was listening! Anyway enjoy the following...

Tip of the Week:

For a sweet snack try 1/2 Cup plain Greek Yogurt and add 1/4 Cup fresh Raspberries.

For a Salty snack try 1/4 cup almonds with a sprinkle of Pop Rite Garlic & Parmesan flavoring

Quote
Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork.  ~English Proverb

The Beginning

At this point I have lost 30 pounds. A mere drop in the bucket of what I need to lose, but it is a good start.
Why I Began This Journey
A year ago I saw a photo of myself and thought 'yuck, that can't be what I look like!'  When I voiced this out loud to a friend, her reply was, "but that's you, and you are beautiful!" My heart stopped! That wasn't me!! Which lead me to start thinking about who I was verses who I had become. I thought of myself as a happy, easy-going yet competitive, try anything once, outgoing, always joyous person. But truthfully, that wasn't me anymore.  I had become, in the past 15 years, an inactive, easy-going, minimal effort, sometimes happy person who lacked self-confidence. I had given up doing the things I love to do. I stopped going places that I once enjoyed.  I had given up living life to the fullest for...what? Food? Because I was tired?
No more!! I can't and won't let my size dictate to me who I will be anymore.

What I Did About It
I started walking on March 3. One mile on Wednesday night for the first two weeks, then I added a mile on Saturday mornings. Soon it was two miles on those nights. I also cut my diet in half. I tried Weight Watchers points (without paying and going to the meetings) because a friend was successful using it and showed me how. It worked for a while, but I hit a plateau. I stayed on that plateau for 4 months, not gaining or losing. I joined a program at work for walkers and started walking at work everyday. I lost a few more pounds.

Where I Am Now
In November I went to see a Nutritionist and Personal Trainer. In two months, I have lost 2 inches from my waste and 1.5 inches off my hips, but only about a pound of fat.