Clearing ALL the clutter...

I am on a journey.  One of cleaning up my body so it can work well again.  Along with cleaning up my body, I am cleaning up my house.  I think this goes hand in hand.  Cleaning up where I live, so I can continue to clean up HOW I live.

I have to keep reminding myself that the house nor I got this way overnight.  It will take some time to clear all the rubble out!  As of last night, I have counter tops in my kitchen.  I have a stove top again!  I have clean dishes!  You may be asking yourselves, "Why on earth is this a reason to celebrate?"  WELL... I haven't seen my counter tops since my birthday, IN AUGUST!  I hadn't felt well enough to clean or do ANYTHING.  It is miserable not being able to do anything, while looking normal.  People start to think you are crazy and that you are simply acting like you can't do anything.  It is a frustrating thing, trust me!  I am glad that I was validated by my doc.  

I am slowly starting to feel better.  As I start feeling better, I start doing more!  

Let's clear all the clutter and simplify!

And now for something COMPLETELY frivolous...

Happy Friday!

Not a size 5

Beefy, big, blimp, bovine, brawny, broad, bulging, bulky, bull, burly, butter-ball, chunky, corpulent, distended, dumpy, elephantine, fleshy, gargantuan, gross, heavy, heavyset, hefty, husky, inflated, jelly-belly, lard, large, meaty, obese, oversize, paunchy, plump, plumpish, ponder-ous, porcine, portly, potbellied, pudgy, roly-poly, rotund, solid, stout, swollen, thickset, weighty, whale like, and my personal favorite... FAT!  


Yep, I have been called all of these and more.  You know what?!?!?  It is ok.  They can call me whatever they like.  I am all those things... AND I LOVE MYSELF!  It has taken me MANY years to be ok with who I am.  Yes, I am loosing weight.  This is for one reason only... I want to be healthy.  I will never be a size 5.  I am not built for it!  I will, however be the healthiest that I can.  


I am the belly of the ball, Baby!  

Sleeping? Yes, please!

I hear that sleeping is a huge, ginormous part of getting healthy.  I hear that establishing a regular sleep pattern helps with this whole process.  Yeah... I hear a lot!  This is one area that I can't seem to get the hang of!  The sleeping during the night and being awake during the day thing.  Maybe I am just a backwards type of gal (Really, this statement shocks you?  Really?)  It seems that I get my best sleep during the hours of 8 am and 3 pm.  This is counter productive since, you know, life happens during the day!  Nothing is open when I am awake, so I can't run my errands or anything.  You are probably asking your self "What on EARTH does she do all bloody night?"  Well, I watch A LOT of bad tv and PSAs.  When I was younger, I had NO problems sleeping.  None whatsoever!  I could sleep with the best of 'em!  Rip Van Winkle had nothin' on me!  Now, I am just begging the Sandman to pay me a visit!  Just like everything else, this too will take time.  I have to remember that.  I didn't get this way overnight, it is going to take awhile to get it changed...
Please Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream!!!!!

I am MAD!

All my life, it seems, I have had issues with food and everything surrounding eating.  I was always bigger than the rest of my family and friends.  Once, my sister was at a slumber party and overheard my friends talking about me.  They were asking why I ate so much all of the time.  She in turn told my mom.  My mom, of course, told me.  She then told me that that statement alone should bother me.  Of course it bothered me.  I didn't fit in, literally.  Fast forward a few years, my family was out to dinner one night.  They told all of us (my sisters and I) that for New Year's we should all get healthy, as a family.  As it turns out, I was the one that was that they wanted to "get healthy".  I was put on every diet imaginable.  The fen fen diet, the no carb diet... I could go on.  I am making out my parents to be heartless.  They aren't. They were simply worried that I was becoming obese.  I think that they didn't know what to make of me because I was different.  I didn't look like them AT ALL, I still don't.  Fast Forward a few more years and now I am all grown up!  I still have issues with being a bigger gal, but I don't let them really bother me.  I decided to live my life the best that I can and to eat what I wanted!  I love food!  Love it.  The smells, the tastes.  There are so many types of food.  Now with this diagnoses, ALL my old fears and thoughts have come up again.  I am mad!  Mad as hell!  I can't eat what I want.  For so many years, I have been eating what I want.  Now, it feels like my parents are telling me what I can and can't eat again.  Ok, so It isn't my parents, this time it is the doc, but it feels the same.  It makes me SO mad!

I am not over the mad yet.  I haven't really let myself feel the mad yet.  I know it will pass, but for now, I am going to be mad for a bit.

Lazy day.

Today is Saturday.  TODAY IS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!  WOOO HOOO... do you know what that means?  Lazy day!  It has been an extremely long week.  I am glad it is almost over.  I need a break! Today is a do nothing and love it day!  Today is a day that I can take a nap and not feel guilty.  I love saturdays!

Make it ahead...

In our house, we tend to lean towards the super quick, throw it in the microwave types of food.  Well, we can't do that any more.  Do you know how much junk is in processed food!?  WAY too much for our new lifestyle!  I can't even pronounce most of the ingredients!

As I have said before, breaky is becoming MUCHO improtante in our house.  Well, immediately this presents a problem.  What on earth do I fix for hubby before he runs out the door!?!?!?!?  I want him to have something that will stick to his ribs and be satisfying so he can "be all that he can be".  Wait, isn't that an Army thing?  Well, I want him to be the Air Force equivalent of that!

I have come up with something I think will work nicely!  I know I am not the first person to think of this.  I am sure you can find more recipes out there in bloggyland.

Ok.. My first recipe!

Quiche cups.

These handy dandy, perfectly portioned cups can be reheated in the microwave in a minute or two!!!  WOO HOO!!!!  This is perfect for when hubby has to run!

Now here is how you can make them...

• Preheat your oven to about 350.
• Scramble some eggs, you could use egg substitute as well.
• Add veggies, lean cooked/cooled meat, and cheese.  You could use whatever you have on hand.  
• Pour the egg mixture into a muffin tin.  You could use paper liners, but I didn't have any... so I skipped that part!
• Bake at 350 for about 20-25 min depending on your oven.  

VOILA!!!  You have Quiche cups.  Let them cool and them pop them in the freezer!  They'll keep for a few months.  You can store them in a zipper top bag!

*Don't judge my photo... It isn't the best, but I will be getting better!!!!

10 pounds down...

I am ten pounds down!  WOOO HOO!!!  This is reason to Celebrate!  You can throw confetti and dance around if you'd like.  I know I am!

The first 10 pounds are the hardest in my opinion!  Why?  Because one is learning how to eat and when to eat and all that jazz.

Now that I have learned WHAT I can eat, it is a bit easier.  I tried to eat what I used to, just once.  I got physically ill!  I just can't do it any more!  My stomach has shrunk even in this short time.

I don't really miss it either.  Eating a ton at once and nothing else the rest of the day.  With this new lifestyle, I am eating a LOT more throughout the day, just itty bity portions with better for you kinda foods.

20 minutes

What can you do in 20 minutes?  You can do a lot in 20 minutes.  I can't think of a SINGLE one at the moment, but I know you can do a lot!  Do you know what I have been doing with 20 minutes of my day?  I have been at the gym... I know, right?!? You probably have a look of shock on your face!  YES, I have been to the gym.  Every day for three days!  I have been walking on the treadmill.  Only for 20 minutes.  It is all I can do right now.  I am VERY proud of myself for even doing that much...  I will be going back tomorrow, too!

Breakfast

Remember when you were growing up and your mom always told you that a good breakfast was essential?  Well, my mom told me that.  I don't know about your moms!

OK... don't tell my mom, but she was right!  If you tell her, she'll just get a big head and that won't be a good thing!  ;)

Since I have started eating breakfast, I find that I have WAY more energy to face the day.  Take, for example, today.  I had half a bagel with a few strips of vegetarian bacon.  VERY yummy and now I have energy for what ever I need to do today!

A good breaky in my world is becoming a MUST!  Try it and see for yourselves....

Running? Not on your Life!

I don't run, EVER!  Running to me is like hanging upside down and having my eyelashes plucked out one by one by an angry snapping turtle!  It is pure torture!!!  When I run, I think things are going to come loose inside and fall out.  Yeah, not a good image, is it?

I find walking to be MUCH more productive!  And relaxing to boot!  Running simply stresses me out.  The Hubbs and I have started walking round our neighborhood.  I can't move very fast yet, but it is a start! I find this WAY better than the gym.  Plus, I get to spend more time with my FAB hubby!  Who doesn't want that!?!?!?

A whole new world...

OH MY GOODNESS... I have just (well over the last few weeks) discovered the world of FOOD BLOGS!  Did you know there are hundreds of FABU food blogs out there?

I have been googling a lot lately.  I am specifically looking for healthy but YUMMY recipes.  I don't want to eat yucky, bland DIET food.  If I hear the word DIET, I run in the opposite direction, trust me!!!!  I am a  gal who loves her some yumminess! Isn't that how I got in this situation in the first place?!?! :)

Ok... I am rambling now.  Back to why I am writing!  FOOD BLOGS!  LOVE THEM!  I was googling for a clumpy granola recipe.  I'll let you know how that goes.  I indeed found a recipe that I can't wait to try.  I also found that I can sit and read for hours!!!!  I get caught up reading these amazing blogs.  These women who love food just as much as I do are creating recipes that will insure that we are all around to enjoy it!!!!

MMMMMM!!!  I love food blogs and I love the people who write them!  THANK YOU!!!!!

Motivation...

Working out takes considerable motivation...  Health is the main motivation.  I believe that there are people out there that actually like it!  Yeah, I think those people are nutso, too!!!  Who knows?!? Maybe I will become one of those crazy people.  Doubtful, but it could happen!  What is your motivation to work out?

YAY for produce!!!!

Ok... I have to tell you.  Farmer's Markets are FABULOSO!!!!!!  Even in the rain they are great!

I got to go to our local farmer's market yesterday.  It was extremely dreary out.  I shouldn't be surprised as this is, in fact, England!  I was in a foul mood.  I don't know how my friends put up with me!!!  I needed a MAJOR attitude adjustment!  I have the cure for the attitude thing.... FARMER'S MARKETS!!!!!!

I got to walk around with a few of my friends.  We looked at all the BEAUTIFUL yumminess that we can't get at our commissary!  I got peppers, beans, carrots, mushrooms, and a ton of other stuff!  At only a pound a bowl, I couldn't resist!!!  (For you Americans who don't know what a pound is, it is about a buck and a half.)  OH, I also got half of a Rye-pumpernickel loaf.  Let me tell you.  There is nothing as good as fresh produce and fresh homemade bread!  I was proud of myself... I didn't go crazy on the bread.  I only got half a loaf!

It ended up being a great day.  Good yumminess and good friends.  I came home and relaxed for a bit, then hubby and I had a great FRESH din din.  We made grilled pollack (fish) and crisp tender steamed green beans!   YUMMO!!!!

Poor me?

I wanted to say thank you for all the encouraging words.  It helps!  I know I have a huge uphill struggle ahead of me and knowing that you all are behind me, makes it a bit easier!

This new 1500 calories a day diet thing is hard!  Harder than I expected.  I can only eat very little.  And I am used to eating a whole heck of a lot more, trust me!!!  I know my stomach will shrink, but until it does, this House Frau is a bit cranky!  Poor hubby.  He is so amazing!  He is eating what I have to eat and not complaining.  I am the complaining!  LOL!

Thank you again for your kind and encouraging words!  Keep 'em coming!!!!

Torture? Maybe...

The dictionary defines exercise as "physical exertion, esp for the purpose of development, training, or keeping fit".  This house frau defines it as TORTURE!!!!  Going to the gym terrifies me!  All those sweaty people and scary machines!  I know, I know... they aren't looking at me.  I am looking at me.  All those mirrors, reflecting EVERY single flaw and angle.  AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!  It is enough to drive a gal mad!  As long as I don't have to look in too many mirrors, I am ok!  I am perfectly fine fairly comfortable with my body.  I just am not particularly fond of having it reflected back at me SOOOOO many times.  Also, when I am on of of the scary machines where do I put my hands?  Where can I put my Ipod so I don't get all tangly in the cord?  These are mucho importante questions, people!!!


I have come up with a fairly easy solution... I have a Wii Fit.  I even created a ridiculously cute cartoon version of myself.  As soon as I stepped on my Wii Fit board, she expanded!  Like one of the creatures you put in water to watch them grow!  I was APPALLED!!!!  Now my cute cartoon version of me looks like the Stay Puff Marshmallow man! 


Well... in light of my marshmallow-y-ness, I am even more determined to lick this thing!  I will get over my fear.  I will get over my fear!  I have to keep reminding myself of that!!!


Do any of you out there have any ideas or thoughts on how to conquer this thing?  I am open at this point!  I need to get my body moving!!!!  Wanna be my body moving buddy?  

Fluffy

"Oh so cute and fluffy!" That is what my hubby calls me... He likes that I am fluffy. He LOVES that I am fluffy. He worships the fluff! One thing though.... the fluff is killing me!

Am I saying that he won't love me when I am less fluffy? NOT AT ALL! Yes, there will be adjustments. For both of us!

So let's raise our extremely tiny glass of diet soda... "Here's to less fluffy!"

My Journey...

I have been diagnosed with Type II diabetes. There, I've said it! Now you are thinking... "Oh, poor you!" The reason I know you are thinking that is because I have been thinking the same darn thing for the past two weeks!

NO MORE WALLOWING! I am done with that! Now, I am going to fix it.

This blog is going to be my journey. My journey to becoming half the woman I am today! :)

It won't be easy. I will most likely cry, then laugh, then want to tear my hear out. You can share all that with me!