If I Can Do It You Can!

Good evening,

So sorry I am late getting a blog out this week.  I have been so busy… I had School  Nurse Conference in Columbus 3 days last week leaving my house at 5 am and returning around 7:30 pm.  It was enjoyable but very long days.  I worked Saturday then helped my sister move and ended that evening with a dinner date with some very great friends. We then sang a homecoming on Sunday morning and afternoon.  Monday night we were privileged to sing at the 2nd annual “Giovanni’s Gospel Music Sing” in West Union.   That was like a enjoyable family reunion.  We had a busy week but a wonderful week.

I have been wanting to share some tips on my weight loss.  I want you all to know up front that I am not pushing anyone to do this.  But if you are interested in losing a few pounds and getting more healthy I think this is a great place to start.

I have always loved bread and sweets so when a few people I know started losing weight on this diet I was like there is no way I can do that.   So I started praying and began laying things I loved to eat daily to treats occasionally.  I was totally surprised at how eating No sugar and No/low carbs could be what I needed to help me lose weight and keep it off.  I won’t lie to you it was hard at first and sometimes it still is.   But, it has been life changing.   It has changed my thought process  on what I am eating all the time.  I have been made more aware of what has sugar in it.  I try to reward myself 1 day a week.   Then restart the next day.  If your will power is low you may not want to give yourself a reward day.  Just in case you fall of the wagon and can’t get back one easily.   This cheat day helped me, if I was wanting something to eat that was high in sugar, I would think often, I can get it on my cheat day.  After all if you are going to eat this way all the time you will need rewards or you will break and not finish.

I have tried to not push my change of eating  on others although Phil has jumped on board and been a great help at cooking and encouraging.

I continue to cook Sunday Dinners as before with potatoes, bread and desserts but have tried to have salad, meat and other dishes that I can eat and not feel deprived.  I haven’t bought a loaf of bread or potatoes for our meals for over 6 months and honestly I don’t miss it.

Our supper use to consist of a meat, vegetables, starch, bread & usually a dessert.   Now my daily food intake is vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese.  My bread is a large lettuce leaf.  My snacks changed from donuts & Little Debbie Snack Cakes to pork rings, fruit or nuts.  My daily supper drink went from sweet tea to diet soda or water.

We have become more adventurous in our cooking and it’s scrumptious.  I figure whatever I eat I will get full so I might as well make it good choices. 😀

I have also added in some walking / jogging.  I try to do this 3 times a week.

I have lost almost 35 pounds since March but I have basically been maintaining since July.  That’s the most awesome part…I have been able to keep it off.  The main thing I have realized is, if you mess up one day.  Start over the next.  Don’t give up and go back to your old eating habits.   That why I say it is a lifestyle change.  BUT…If I can do it anyone can.

My number 1 key to this weight loss is Prayer. 🙏🏻  I would pray daily that God would give me the will power to do this and he did.

***We have not because we ask not.***

Here is an example of my daily food intake:

Breakfast:

String cheese or boiled egg

3/4 c grapes

Coffee

Lunch: (choose 1 entree & 1 fruit)

-Raw Vegetables w/ Ranch

-Lettuce wrap of 2 Slices Lunch Meat, shredded carrots, tomatoes, shredded Cheese, ranch dressing.

-Cucumbers, tomatoes, bacon bits, shredded cheese w/ ranch

-Tangerine

-Orange

-Strawberries

Water

Supper: (choose 1 Entree)

-Egg Omelet w/ vegetables, meat and cheese

-Ground beef Pattie topped with Mushrooms, onions and cheese

-Chicken Breast topped with onions, green peppers & cheese

A vegetable : (choose 1)

cauliflower with buffalo sauce

broccoli w/ cheese sauce

green beans

Water or Diet Coke

Snack: (choose 1)

Pork Rings

Nuts

Blueberries with Sugar free Cool whip

***Before I go to bed every night I drink 4oz of water with 2T. lemon juice.

I usually try to refrain from eating anything before I go to bed.  So eat your snack immediately after supper or a few hours before bed.

It’s hard at first but I read…

It takes 21 days to make or break a habit.

I plan to buckle down and lose more but maintaining right now is important for me.  I feel after a few months I will try to stay more strict and lose more.  Until then I will keep praying and trying to eat right.

Coming soon is another recipe that is awesome and fits into this new eating plan.

I am…

Blessed Beyond Measures,

Cindy