GOALS!!!

Sooooo, I accomplished most of my goals.
I drank water. I worked out 6 days. I took Saturday off and it felt wonderful! I can count on one hand the days I haven't had a significant workout since Jan 1st. When I worked out today, I was very sore. I think I should have worked out minimally on Saturday just to get my muscles moving. I drank my protein shakes most of the days. I use the protein shakes to get me through to supper and some days I don't feel like I need them.=) Portion control continues to be my weak spot. I love to eat! Some people eat to live and I live to eat. BUT I am working on it. I achieved 10,000+ steps 5 days. My pedometer does not always pick up walking/running in place, lunges, etc, so even on days I work out I still need more steps. Consequently, I have been running in the evenings. Make 2 new recipes- I made egg casserole using gluten free bread and chicken noodle soup using quinoa noodles! I loved the quinoa noodles. Rice noodles sometimes get tacky but the quinoa noodles remained firm.
Also, I went to Bible study this week! I am enjoying the fellowship and I soooo need to grow in God. I need to become less.... and let God become more.

NOW for this week's goals!
1. 64 ounces of water
2. Work out at least 5 days
3. 11,000 steps at least 5 days
4. Stick to Biggest Loser's calories for me and measure food!
5. Pack away some of my clothes that are too big (Yes, I have clothes that are very loose)
6. Post monthly progress pictures next Sunday.

The scale doesn't lie!

I weighed in again today- and I have lost 3 more pounds. This was a hard week so I was VERY excited to see that I had lost 3 pounds. I have lost 15 pounds since January 1st! Talk about motivation to continute. I have 6 pounds to lose before Valentine's day and 30 pounds to lose before I am at my goal 1st weight. Who knows-I may just continute losing.

I am making my 10,000 steps every day. I have been running at the end of the day to make up for any steps I am missing. I am surprised at my endurance. I can only imagine how much energy I will have when I am 30 pounds lighter.

I have been sugar free and fruit free for almost a month. Even though I use stevia/xylitol some veggies seem VERY sweet. For example, butternut squash and sweet potatoes seem much sweeter when I eat them. I am trying to cut out all sugar but occasionally I do use ORGANIC ketchup or spaghetti sauce with sugar cane in them. These products are exceptionally sweet. Next year, I hope to make my own sauces and ketchup to totally eliminate unnecesary sugar. It is amazing what has sugar in it.

Weekly goals!

I have to admit last week was the hardest week so far! But, it is getting better. I am constantly sore. I am really pushing the workouts. I think the Wii Fit Biggest Loser game finds my weakest muscles and works those muscles the hardest. The wfbl game has me working out every other day. On my days off, I do a less strenuous exercise. I have way more endurance and my clothes are VERY loose.
I am still sugar free. Today I wanted something sweet. No just sweet-sugar sweet. It was an intense craving but I got through it. I have been baking for my family and even if it has a little bit of sugar in it, I do not eat it. This is hard for me because I LOVED licking the batter spoon.
The weight is not falling off like it did at first. Now, I am working hard for every pound. Every pound is a huge victory and I am so excited when the scale says I am lighter.
I found a wonderful way to fight off a sweet craving. Last night I had popcorn made in coconut oil and I sprinkled xylitol (stevia or truvia would work too) and allspice on it! It was so good! Even my son loved it. =)
I did meet most of my goals for last week. I forgot my protein shake once but I made up for it in workouts. haha. I worked out EVERY day in some form! =)
Goals for this week:
1. Water, water, water-at least 48 ounces
2. Work out at least 5 days
3. Protein shake- (really helps with afternoon snacking)
4. Concentrate on portion control and calorie counting (I need to stick to my Biggest Loser calorie recommendations)
5. 10,000 steps on my pedometer every day (this means I will have to remember to wear my pedometer).
6. Make at least 2 new recipes-gluten and sugar free.

Getting over this hill!

Today is a hard day! =) This week is a hard week! The first few weeks I lost weight easy and fast and the weight is no longer falling off. Working out and eating sugar free are relatively easy, but the rest of my goals seem harder to reach this week. I am having trouble remembering to drink water and measuring portions. I even forgot to drink a protein shake one day (could be because it tastes like ground up sticks). So, I am going to recommit to my goals. =) I am going to drink my water, drink my stick shake, sweat during my work out, measure my portions and ultimately lose weight.

Oh, and if I lose 10lbs by Valentine's day my husband is going to buy me a new outfit. I will probably need a new clothes-my pants are starting to fall off. =)

Week 2 weigh in!

I weighed in again today on my Biggest Loser Wii Fit and the results are:
I lost 2 more pounds!! Yay! I am so excited. Two pounds is the lowest number I have had since starting my sugar free diet but it is more realistic. I am just excited to be losing weight. AND-I have lost 12 pounds since January 1st. I have 2 more weeks until I can add fruit back into my diet. I love fruit so that will be a happy day. Oh, and people are starting to notice and my clothes are getting lose. Guess I will need to go shopping soon. Aww bummer! =)

weekly goals

I completed last week's goals! I drank water, exercised EVERY day, made Gluten free bread, ate reasonable portions and remained sugar free!! My workouts were intense and left me sore. I think I will take 1 day off next week. I am getting better at controlling my portions. It helps to measure my food so I know exact portion size. So, here are my goals for next week:

1. Drink at least 48oz of water.
2. Drink 1 protein shake a day. (I do not think I am getting enough protein in my diet as I don't eat a lot of meat, nuts, etc)
3. Work out a minimum of 5 days.
4. Continue to monitor portion control.
5. Make at least one new gluten free healthy recipe.

My food addiction

I think I am addicted to food. Or at least, I have been in the past. By leaving out sugar and several other food items, I am finding freedom my addiction. I think most of the cravings are gone and I am more intune to hunger. I think I ate out of stress and bordum. I am leaving that behind and eating when I am hungry. I eat 3 meals and 1-2 snacks.
I am facing true tests to my new way of eating. I was gone from home for over 24 hours and did not have access to my kichen, my food, and my way of eating. It was a true test to my sugar free goals and I held strong. My new eating habbits are becoming a way of life.

More reasons to be sugar free....

I ran across another interesting website regarding sugar . Click on the word sugar to go to the website. The information about orange juice was especially interesting to me. I highly recommend stevia as a natural sweetener. I use it in my tea and I can also make chocolate milkshake with it.

Chocolate Milkshake
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp cocoa
1-3 packets of truvia or stevia to taste
3/4 cup ice

Blend in blender or magic bullet.
My son loves these milkshakes.

The other day I made gluten free bread from Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour and using their recipe I modified the recipe a little bit. I was surprised when the dough looked more like quick bread batter than bread dough. The finished product was very good. I miss bread when eating gluten free!

Weigh-in!!!!

Tonight was the big weigh in for me on the Biggest Loser Wii Fit game. I set the goal for weight loss at 39lbs in 12 weeks (it was the highest it would let me set). I weighed in right AFTER supper so, I was a little worried about what the scale would say. Well, I lost SIX pounds in 1 week! Since January 1st, I have lost 9 pounds!! =) I celebrated by eating a chocolate bar. I am joking-that would have been the old me. I am sticking to my sugar free diet. I had a sugar free cinnamon vanilla chai smoothie and some popcorn! YUM! =) Now, I am going to work hard so I don't have to worry about the dreaded week 2. If you watch the biggest loser show you know what I mean!

Final workout!

Tomorrow is my big weigh in on the Biggest Loser wii game! I am very excited and little nervous. Portion control/calorie counting is my biggest obstacle. I have been able to exercise 1-2 times per day!! I know that being sugar free, portion control, and working out daily will result in weight loss. I can't wait to see the lbs melt off! I will post weight loss tomorrow.

Goals for next week........

I have made it a week and 2 days without sugar!! Whoohooo! The sugar cravings are getting less frequent and my energy has increased. I have avoided the foods that my body is sensitive to so that might also explain the increased energy. I am working out every day and my muscles are sore! The Wii Fit Biggest Loser game is relentless, but I did set high goals and I plan to meet them. My first weigh in is Tuesday, January 12th, and I cannot wait to post the results.

Here are my goals for the coming week:
1. DRINK more water 48oz or more.
2. Portion control-be attentive to EVERYTHING I eat. (My biggest struggle)
3. Try making gluten free bread. (wheat gluten is one of the foods I am sensitive to)
4. Exercise every day.

Portion Control!

Today, I tried to be mindful of my caloric intake. I want to learn the size of "normal" portions. This is challenging for me-maybe more challenging than giving up sugar. Speaking of sugar, I am still sugar and fruit free! I also worked out today!!! I am sore from the workouts but I still have more energy. And for the super good news- drum roll please- I have lost 5lbs in 1 week!

I need to blog!!!

Day 6 and still no sugar. I even made cookies and did not eat any of them. Cookie dough is my all time favorite, so it was not easy. I have been "indulging" on sugar free chai smoothies. I received a magic bullet blender for Christmas and am putting it to good use!

Chai smoothie
1/2 cup organic skim milk
1/2 cup chai
1/2 cup ice
stevia/truvia to taste
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Blend and enjoy at only 45 calories.

I have not consumed sugar, honey, aguave nectar, fruit (except the one time I forgot and had a few bites) and I have not experienced a tremendous weight loss. It is very gradual-just a few pounds. I am also working out using my Biggest Looser game on the Wii Fit. I just started a game today and am on a 12 week course to lose weight. I hope to loose 30+ lbs in 12 weeks. According to the Biggest Loser game, I should consume 1560 calories a day and work out every other day. Shouldn't be to hard considering I am not eating sugar and I have quite a list of foods I avoid because I am sensitive to them. BTW-The workouts are pretty intense-they make me sweat and leave me sore. I am slightly addicted.

I am very thankful for this blog. It is making me accountable. So many times I have good intentions and do not follow through because I do not see immediate results. Well, I am committed this time..... now, only 359 more days to go!!!

I have energy!!!

Yesterday, I started my Biggest Lose Wii Fit game! I was a little sore this morning, but I felt great. This afternoon while the kids napped, I snuck in another workout. When the kids got up, I was so full of energy. Usually, I crash in the afternoon and am running to cram some food (usually sugar or some kind of carb) into my system to energize me. On my 5th day no sugar- I am energetic! I guess sugar isn't as energizing as I thought.

On a side note, I have been reading and researching the benefits of ORGANIC coconut oil I have been cooking with coconut oil for several months. I even add it to my tea or hot cocoa. =) It tastes so yummy. Today, while visiting my very holistic chiropractor, he noticed I had a cough. He tested me using kinesiology and found that coconut oil pills would help my cough/cold. I am amazed at all the natural remedies. God must of thought of everything when He created the world! =)

Sugar's effect on your health!

I am aware sugar is not good for you. I am trying to strip sugar from my diet for a variety of reasons. I did not realize how toxic sugar is for our bodies. I am even more determined to finish this year without refined sugars!!! Here is part of an article I read today:





Sugar's effect on your health
The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals.
In the last 20 years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year! Prior to the turn of this century (1887-1890), the average consumption was only 5 lbs. per person per year! Cardiovascular disease and cancer was virtually unknown in the early 1900's.


Sugar can suppress the immune system.
Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
Sugar can cause kidney damage.
Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
Sugar can promote tooth decay.
Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
Sugar causes food allergies.
Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
Sugar can cause depression.
Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
Sugar can cause hypertension.
Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.


http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm

Still resisting!

Day 3!! Whoo hooo! I am happy to report I have resisted sugar. =) I did eat some pomegranates without even thinking. Oops. It is hard for me to remember to cut fruit out of my diet! I am still planning on going a full 30 days with out fruit, so now I will wait until February 3rd to have fruit. I currently have a mild cold but it is getting better-thanks to vitamins and herbs. I have been taking elderberry syrup, vitamin d3, and herbal tea and they worked their magic. I did hop on the treadmill yesterday and managed to get in a workout. Tomorrow, I will workout again.

Day 1

It is New Year's Day and I have gone almost an entire 24 hours without sugar! =) A few months ago, I was having issues with stomach pain/nausea and I had my food sensitivities tested using kinesiology. I am sensitive to: wheat gluten, oats, almonds, peanuts, grapes, apples, mushrooms, splenda and coffee. In addition to sugar, I am also trying to eliminate those items from my diet. Oh, and I generally do not eat pork. I am not going to pretend it is easy to eliminate those items from my diet. I did attend a party today with several very yummy looking deserts and I did not consume! =) I held strong even in the presence of chocolate. I can do this! 364 more days to go.

Now, to my next goals! Spend time with God every day in 2010. I want to become less of who I am through God so that he can become more in my life. Hence the blog name, becoming less. =)
I also need to exercise 3-5 times a week. Sadly, I did not achieve a workout today but I am sure I will hop on the treadmill tomorrow! =)