Who said it? Nobody! Ever!

It's All YOU baby!

Naruto Rolls & Sashimi...YUM!

I went out with my friend for her birthday the other night and she chose sushi.  It was delicious and worked perfectly for my "plan."  I had some yellow-tail Sashimi (just fish) and a Naruto roll (no rice).  I also ordered a side salad.  This gave me lots of yummy protein with a balance of veggies and kept me away from lots of starchy items that are so often added in our night time meals.  Happy Birthday Sarah!!

Down 60 lbs!

Why all the potatoes?  60 pounds of them? Well, because that is the equivalent in pounds of the amount of weight I have lost.  Yes, 60 lbs!

When I had lost 45-50 lbs, some of my friends had commented that I had lost the amount of weight equal to a small child.  Then as I approached 60 lbs, another friend said, "Imagine 60 lbs of potatoes!"  I decided to put it to the test.  

My friend and I were out one night late and so we went to the only place that sold produce and was open that late....Walmart!  We laughed and almost cried in the aisle as we kept trying to load me up with the potatoes.  They were so heavy though that I either couldn't hold them high enough for the picture or they slipped out of my hands.  We tried to pile them on my shoulder and then they fell.  The manager of the store finally got in on the action and helped me do it.  So funny! 

I said, "I'm sorry that we are using all this produce and don't plan on buying any of it" and she replied, "Honey, don't worry!  You cant hurt these potatoes! They grow in a dang dirt field."  Ha!  Then she proceeded to stick around and share with us her own weight loss journey.  As we were leaving the store, I looked at the pics and was so pumped up about how powerful the visual was that I stopped a couple random strangers and showed them and said, "I just lost all these potatoes!"  ha!!!!

Change it up!

I REALLY worked hard in the gym this past week and I almost felt like I may had overdone it a little bit.  I wanted a bit of a "change of scenery" today and so I woke up early and headed to Tempe.  My mom was here with me visiting and so we decided to walk around Tempe Town Lake and then up "A" mountain.

It was much shorter than I remember as a child & teen. With that said, there is a steeper trail up and it was a GREAT workout!  There were LOTS of people there getting their hearts pumping.  Then there is a great reward waiting for you at the top.  The view of Tempe to the South and Phoenix to the West. It was a great morning workout!

We walked around the Healing Field exhibit on the lawn at Tempe Town Lake to see the 3000 flags that represent the lives lost on 9/11. I was able to see Ivhan's flag ( a member of my church who perished that day).  Very touching!  We got lots of steps in and I almost had my 10k steps after leaving there that morning.

The key is to change it up every once in a while and to always KEEP MOVING!

There's Always A Healthier Option...

I went out to eat with my mom today....we went through the list of places that I normally like to go and of course Pita Jungle won.  I cant get over this yummy salad.  I have mentioned it before on this blog.  It is a green salad with roasted peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, and a delicious piece of salmon.  This time I asked them to throw on a bunch of red onion too.  I could eat this salad every day.  Wouldn't this be easy to make at home? It sure would be!  I always get their lemon vinaigrette dressing on the side and dip into it.  You could make your own lemony blend at home with garlic, lemon juice, pepper, vinegar, and some oil. Just be creative and you'll probably be surprised with all the yummy things you come up with!

Little by little....

Little by little, step by step, I am changing!  I had to report my weight today, like I do every Wednesday, and I did this side by side pic comparison.  Pretty crazy to me.  I know that I have a LONG way to go but I now see that just how far I have come in such a short period of time.  Joy's program is amazing!!

Guilty!

Someone stole my Skinny Pop!  Look at that face!  Trying to look so innocent!  

Not a frame job!  Guilty as charged!  I have the proof!  Ha!  Even my little nephew knows this stuff is delicious.  I was super bummed to know that I couldn't have Barely Naked popcorn from Popcornopolis because of the higher saturated fat content.  Then I was super pumped when Joy told me about Skinny Pop!  I love it!  Super yummy and I can have 4 cups for a snack.  You can find it a Sprouts and most Fry's in the health section.  Yum!

Feel the BURN!

Started up at a new gym over the weekend and I LOVE it!!  There are so many more machine options and being in this new atmosphere really, really inspires and motivates me.  I heard a quote from a trainer on Friday that impacted me...."Don't say goodbye until the pain says hello." So true!  I know that my mind gives out way faster than my legs do.  It is such a mental thing for me.  No need to stop until you feel the burn for a while...then you know your body/muscles are really working.