What is up with the energy?

Well, it's been another week on the Belly Fat Cure and I've lost just one more pound.   I certainly blew it one night when we went out for dinner.   I had even told my husband that I didn't want to go to this particular restaurant because I was afraid that I would order the thing I love, and of course, we went there and I ordered and consumed the entire plate of orange ginger chicken with tons of jasmine rice.   Ooh, it tasted so good.   But afterwards, ew, I was miserable.   My husband had his favorite too, a panang chicken curry dish.  We were stuffed and miserable the rest of the night.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely not.  So we both agreed that we would support each others decisions on eating out and look for only the good places we know we can stick to.

Yesterday, I just had this new energy, I can't describe.  I thought I was feeling good the last couple of weeks, but yesterday, boy, I just felt great.  I just HAD to go for a walk, what was up with that?   So I leashed up all 3 of my dogs and they took me for a walk (LOL).  Oh, my husband even came too.   On our way back, he says "we should really do that more"  and I agree, it was so nice to get out in the fresh cool fall air and enjoy life.
For some reason, the last couple of weeks, I've had a lot of compliments on my hair which usually never happens.  I decided, maybe it's not my hair, but my renewed energy that makes everything seem so much different about me!

I am actually looking forward to the challenge of Thanksgiving, I expect this week to be the best so far!

Trader Joes Sprouted Grain Breads

Mmmm, I love bread, but it seems that they are so high in Carbs that I can't have a sandwich with 2 slices of bread without killing my Carb allotment for the day.   So I was at Trader Joes and found these awesome low carb breads.   I like them best toasted, but they are really great!  Try them out!  2 slices, 14 carbs!

A healthy snack — in a nutshell

I love Pistachios too! Check it out!

A healthy snack — in a nutshell

Emotional Eating

I started to think about whether or not I was emotional eating and what could be identified as it. It made me think about recipes and eating out. Why was I so attached to certain recipes and certain dishes at restaurants that I felt I just couldn't live without. Things called "comfort food". Could it be that there are emotional reasons that I love these foods? A feeling that I get from eating them, maybe a memory that is brought back.

So now I have a new mission. Try out all the new things I can. Especially at restaurants. And who knows maybe I will find a new dish that I love that is also good for me! A new dish for a new me.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

End of Week 3- Down 8 pounds total to 230lbs
Today is my official weigh-in day. Thursdays.

I am happy to report I lost 2 more pounds this week for a total of 8. And I have to say that I am really proud of myself. I have not touched my kid's still lingering Halloween candy, I have not had Diet Coke at all (even when we've gone out to eat). Have I been perfect?, no way, but I certainly followed the plan and maybe just goofed a little with some extra carbs. I never once felt like I was cheating.

2 pounds may not seem like much, certainly not what Jorge is saying we could be losing. But then, I've never been one to lose like that. Maybe it's just me.
Have you heard the story about the tortoise and the hare? SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE.

I am so motivated to continue onward. Yeah me!

Removing Chlorine from Tap Water

I like my tap water, but after hearing Jorge talk about the demises of chlorine in water, I have been researching how to remove chlorine from tap water and came across this article:
Why is Chlorine Added to Tap Water?

The best part is the low cost solution:
"Concerned consumers without the money to spend on home filtration, though, can just rely on good old-fashioned patience. Chlorine and related compounds will make their way out of tap water if the container is simply left uncovered in the refrigerator for 24 hours."

Forget buying all those expensive pitchers and what not! I'm going for the cheap route.

8 Perfect Stay-Young Foods

This article (8 Perfect Stay-Young Foods) featured on the Yahoo Home page today lists foods that are good for staying young. One of the surprises to me, was the grapefruit which is said to LOWER your insulin levels in the article:

Summary list and their benefits:
Eggs - Weight Loss
Green Tea - Longer Lifespan
Garlic - Cardiovascular strengthening
Grapefruit - Weight Loss
Greek Yogurt - Feeling fuller longer
Avocado - Reduced risk of heart disease
Bell Peppers - Improved immune function
Almonds - Improved memory

Getting Noticed

Today on Jorge Cruise's Blog, he pointed out some of the great blogs on the Belly Fat Cure plan. It certainly was flattering to hear all the nice comments about my blog and the others out there. It was really incredible that he took the time to look at what others are doing. I really feel this is what is making him such a good coach for me. The little things.

I wondered, why does that make a person feel so good? It is the affirmation that you are doing something correct, and something that is making a difference. It's just the little things.

My husband tells me that the food I've been cooking is really great, just wants me to cook more and continue trying these new recipes. And wow, they ARE great.

So today, my goal is to notice more about other people, let them know I think they are doing great. Who knows, it might make their day, like Jorge did to me!

Think Like a Thin Person

Another good one!

Think Like a Thin Person

The only thing I didn't like about this article was the fact that she claims that in order to be thin it's ok to be hungry once in a while. On the Belly Fat Cure, I am never hungry. I know the point the author was trying to make, but still......

Interesting Article that supports the Belly Fat Cure plan

Not written by Jorge Cruise, but does pertain to the plan I'm following. Quite interesting.

How Sweet It Is (to Lose Weight)

Why does this not feel like a Diet?

Jorge Cruise keeps saying to all of us, this is not a diet, it is a lifestyle. Everytime I sit down to a meal, I think "it sure doesn't feel like I should be able to eat this" Today at lunch I made a pizza on a whole wheat pita bread. I had pepperoni, cheese, some low sugar spag. sauce (Gia Russa) Yummy. and a little green pepper. This is like heaven. My husband and I eat our meals together, we both can't believe that we can eat this good and still feel so great and lose weight at the same time (he has none to lose, he's more excited that his washboard is starting to show :P )

Every recipe I try is even better than the one before. Completely amazing. My husband looked at this weeks steak taco recipe picture, his response was "why can't we buy shells that are that good" Mine was, "it is how you prepare it" and it's true. Can't wait to see the cooking demo on those so I can wow my husband.

I still have yet to go into my kid's Halloween candy, why is that? I just don't care to have it. Really, it's true. Before, at least half of the chocolate would have been mine. Go Figure.

So things are going great. Still need to figure out more dinner options for the whole family. Tonight is steak, and everybody loves that!

Down 6 pounds

I am officially down 6 pounds as of today. It doesn't feel like the weight is coming off as fast but I can definitely feel the difference. My pants are looser and I have much more energy than before. It doesn't seem like I'm wanting that afternoon nap anymore.

For some reason my weight seems to fluctuate a lot during the day. Around 2-3 pounds. Could it be the false belly fat? Or just what I'm eating hasn't been digested. Strange.

I've put away the scale during the week so that I don't discourage myself. Only once a week weighing certainly will show what's going on.

Also, I have to say that every recipe that I've tried from Jorge's menus have been excellent. I am rather picky, don't like strange things, and they all fit my tastes. I'll start to post some reviews soon.

Found a web site to order the Nature's Hollow products for a low shipping cost. After I receive my order, I'll post the link if they are timely. I hate to post something without knowing their service.

Thoughts on Giving up Diet Coke

Diet Coke was my passion. I was drinking 5-6 cans/day. I always felt embarrassed buying as much as I did at the grocery store. Always knowing what store had the best deal that week. Then on my first day on the plan, I decided, "you know what, I'm just not going to buy it anymore" "That way, I can't drink it." My husband drank it too. That day we had 3 cans left in the house. We each had our morning can, but in the afternoon, we shared the last one and toasted as if it were a date. It's been 2 weeks now, yeah, I missed it bad at first, about 3-4 days, and there were headaches, but I got through it. Would I love to have one now, absolutely, but I'm not going back. I'm going to allow it occasionally when I go out(that doesn't mean everytime). I've found adding a slice lemon to my water really helps. SoBe, yeah I love that too, but limit it to going to my daughters dance class (as I always grabbed a D.C. on the way out the door.) You can do this. I drank it for at least 15 years (oh man, it's hard to believe that) If I can, so can you. Your teeth will love you too.

You haven't had sugar free chocolate until you've had these

Dove makes a sugar free chocolate that is so rich and creamy you'd swear that you are cheating so bad:

Dove Sugar Free Chocolate Creme Silky Smooth Dark Chocolates

Words I Love

Empowered

Indulgent

Delicious

Goals

It is my goal to eliminate artificial sweeteners and most sugar from my diet. Artificial sweeteners have many negative affects. Currently, I am most interested in xylitol, malitol, erythritol.

I've found that Truvia is a great alternative to sugar.

Belly Fat Cure book releases December 29, 2009

Here's a link to the Belly Fat Cure plan that I am following. I am a member of the 12 week live coaching program before the book comes out!

Spry Gum

I am chewing Spry's cinnamon gum that is naturally sweetened with Xylitol. Found it at Whole Foods.

What am I eating?

Breakfast today:
1 pkg Quaker Instant Oatmeal made with water
1 pkg Truvia Sweetener
Sprinkle of Cinnamon
2tsp of Benefiber mixed in

Snack:
1 serving of White Cheddar Cheez-its

Lunch:
1 Grilled Tuna Melt on Rye made with Kirkand White Albacore Tuna, 2 slices of rye, mayo, pickle relish, mustard, and cheddar cheese.

Week 3

I am following the Belly Fat Cure plan from Jorge Cruise (www.jorgecruise.com). I am starting my 3rd week and have already lost a good 5+ pounds. This is quite possibly the easiest plan I have ever done. The gist of it is that you have to follow the 15/6 rule. 15 grams of sugar per day, and 6 servings of Carbs. Each serving of carbs being 20g. Ideally, the law of averages says that you will consume around 85-95 g of carbs using this plan.

My successes come from being a label reader and simply avoiding the foods that are full of sugar.

A new me

I've decided to create a blog that details everything that is me. Something for accountability and something to remember all the things that I have done. Anything and everything. So a new me, we begin.......