my weighted past & a give-away!

 

 

When I was a little girl I remember my momma always being on a diet.  Her side of the family struggled tremendously with obesity, and it was just the norm for her to be trying something new...to be working on herself.  I don't remember the names of them.  Heavens back in the day who knows what silly diets they had, but I do recall watching her once chew an enormous bowl of popcorn, and then spit it out after every bite.  It makes me sad to think about that now.

As an adult my weight has fluctuated.  At one point I weighed more than my Honey!  I know!!  And you wonder why I keep a close eye on it (#operationzipthosepants).  The difference between how I grew up and what we do in our home now is that weight is not discussed.  We talk about being healthy...we focus on eating right and moving.  We limit sugary sweets, fast food and provide plenty of good stuff to snack on. 


Back in the day I don't know if they really knew what to feed us.  Seriously Twinkies, Ding Dongs and junk were the norm in my house.  My honey grew up eating powdered sugar donuts and hot chocolate for breakfast.  He wore Husky jeans...remember those??  Hmmmm wonder why he's so disciplined now??  That husky tag must have scarred him for life;)

I never really liked how my body looked growing up.  Obesity ran in our family and I had to really watch it not to fall into that category.  I remember hating on myself at my 8th grade graduation.  I wasn't even heavy, but I remember crying because of how bad I thought I looked:(


In high school I thinned out, only to gain it all back in our early years of marriage.  Have you ever heard of the Master Cleanse?  I used to take laxative teas and drink a strange lemonade/cayenne pepper mix to detox and shed weight.  Not the best method by the way.  All of that to say most of us have some sort of history with food.  Most of us have experienced a diet and/or not been happy with our body image.  Maybe even done something extreme or dangerous to lose it.


I'm in a different place than I was all those years ago.  I don't look at myself and feel sadness or hatred.  I look at myself and feel love.  Sometimes I get frustrated because my weight doesn't respond to what I'm doing, but it's out of a caring place.  I want to eat right and exercise, not only to look good and feel comfortable in my clothes, but because I love my family and want to take care of myself for them.  I also do it because I'm aging and I want to be healthy and not struggle with disease. 

It can go either way for people...this desire to lose weight.  It can obviously become an unhealthy obsession and take over their lives.  My friend Emily Wierenga struggled horribly with anorexia.  She's one of many of my friends who've experienced an eating disorder.

 

Emily has written an amazing book called Chasing Silhouettes.  I'm so very proud of her for using her history...her past...to help others.  It's a valuable resource...if you or someone you love is hurting in this area.  She's offering one copy to a reader, but I'd like to encourage you to purchase a copy for your school, church, youth group etc... 


You can buy it HERE.  Her story could help so many.  To enter the give-away just leave me a comment telling me your history with food.  Any twitter, facebook, blog post etc...gets another entry:)  Thanks for spreading the word.

Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

 

 

792.  my parents are coming tomorrow:)

793.  a forced break in my routine

794.  two lovely women i'm meeting today

795.  loving myself flaws and all

 

shake it up...the workout!

Okay so you know you've hit a wall when you ask your honey to help you lose weight.  You've seen my man right?  He's a hottie.  He takes his fitness and health very seriously.  I should've asked him to help me a long time ago.  It's obvious he knows what he's doing, but there's that stinkin' pride that gets in the way.  I just couldn't take the judgemental looks when I eat something I shouldn't...it seriously makes me want to stab him in the eye.  Marital peace has kept me from going to him, But I gotta say he's put me on a workout routine and it's kicking my rear.  We're talking sweat dripping off my cute little braids HARD! 

So here it is...

 

 

6 days a week...

HONEY'S SHAKE IT UP ROUTINE:

 

 

 

 

AT GYM

 

Walk/run (5 minutes)...to warm-up

 

Squats, leg presses or lunges (50 reps)...light weight, broken down into whatever increments you can manage

 

RUN (5 minutes)...this is a hard run.  I start at about 5.5 on the treadmill and increase it every 30 seconds until I'm at 7.2 or so.  This is a dead sprint for me.  I've got short legs...trust me I'm dying, I feel shaky...I can only do the last bump up for about 30-40 seconds and then I walk it off for about a minute.

 

Bicep curls (50 reps)...light weight, broken down into whatever increments you can manage.  You should feel a major burn by the end.

 

RUN (5 minutes)...this is a hard run again

 

Triceps pulldowns (50 reps) )...light weight, broken down into whatever increments you can manage

 

RUN (5 minutes)...this is a hard run

 

Dumbbell or Barbell Deadlifts (50 reps)...light weight, broken down into whatever increments you can manage 

 

RUN (5 minutes)...this is a hard run

 

Shoulder press or laterals (50 reps)...light weight, broken down into whatever increments you can manage

 

RUN (5 minutes)...this is a hard run

 

Pullups/dips (requires certain machine...50 reps each)

 

AB crunches (100 reps) broken down into whatever increments you can manage

 

Leg lifts (100 reps) broken down into whatever increments you can manage

 

 

 

 

 

AT HOME

 

Elliptical Machine (45-60 minutes) easy pace

 

AB crunches (100 reps)

 

Leg lifts (100 reps)

 

Push ups (50 reps)

 

 

 

Here's the deal...this workout is hard.  It takes almost 2 hours, and I'm dying by the end.  I alternate days, working out at the gym in the morning one day, and on opposite days doing the home routine in the evening.  This is because I'm sore and tired and need that much time to rest inbetween.  It's obviously not for everyone.  I just wanted to show you what I'm doing and if you want to join in you can;)  If you want to modify it, or you don't have a gym membership/elliptical, of course you can use dumbbells at home and walk/run outside.  You can make this as easy or difficult as you want.  The goal is to use fairly light weights, lots of reps...until you burn...and to intersperse with challenging cardio.  If you have any questions about what certain exercises are just ask me and I'll try to explain.


I can tell it's working. I can feel my waist shrinking.  I haven't weighed.  Weighing sabotages me.  If I'm up then I just want to throw in the towel and give up.  So I'm waiting a bit.  The perk to having my honey train me is that he's involved and very excited about my progress.  I can see him checking me out.  I can see that pride come over his face and I just know he's thinking...yeah I'm whipping her into shape.  And instead of that annoying me I LIKE IT!  We're working as a team, and it feels good:)

Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

773.  a shrinking waist

774.  energy to workout

775.  my husband's encouragement

776.  the time to do it

777.  feeling sore!

 

 

operation zip those pants

Okay here I go...once again on another weight loss movement.  If you've been following along with me for any length of time you know there have been many, many, many, many of these posts!  Geesh that's embarrassing.  The fact is I will always try to be my best.  That's just the way I'm wired.  It was about day 5 of my latest vacation, and I could feel the switch starting to flip once again.  And that's what you need "the big serious, I mean business, I'm not messing around switch" to click into place in your brain.  I just knew that when I got home I was going to have to get on it.  HARD!

So I went through all my clothes.  Painfully trying on pants, shorts and sweats...all one after the other not fitting.  CRAP!  Four entire drawers worth!!!!  It all stems back to the move and the approximately 10 pounds I gained from that stressful year, and then in June I went home.  What is it about home that does me in??  Oh I remember...mom made lemon squares, and there were family gatherings with CAKE, and then there were friend days where we did nothing but pig out, and by the end of the week I had gained 8 pounds.  8 POUNDS!  Is that even possible in 7 days??  Holy cow.  Anyway I didn't worry too much because I thought the second I went back to the gym and ran a little it would all magically melt away.  Well guess what?  It's now the end of summer and they're still there and they've even added a few friends!!  They are having a little party...laughing at me.  And I don't like it one bit!


What I've come to realize after living away for approximately 10 years is that there will always be a weekend trip, a vacation or family coming in.  It happens almost every month.  There will always be a reason to celebrate and I cannot continue to eat whatever I want on those occasions.  I'm almost forty people!  And "they" say, whoever they are, is that 40 is when it all hits the fan and you can't get it off like you used to.  Guess what??  YOU CAN'T.  They were RIGHT!  So I came up with #operationzipthosepants and if you follow me on Instagram (farmgirlpaints) you've seen my hashtags.  You've seen my ridiculous pictures of me all sweaty...throwing out healthy ideas and trying to be good. 



 I've got a goal friends, and it's not to be skinny.  It's not unreasonable.  It's to fit into the clothes I already own!  Inevitably when I write a post like this I will get some sweet/snarky comments and emails telling me how good I already look.  They tell me to love myself and to just go buy bigger pants.  They will tell me not to be so self centered, and that I should devote my time and energy to something more important.  They will tell me to love myself and to not be so hard etc...And this is what I say to all those sweet kind saboteurs...I JUST WANT TO FIT INTO MY PANTS!  I know I'm not fat.  I know I'm beautiful inside and out...blah, blah, blah;)  BUT I refuse to turn 40 and become frumpy, and how do you think that happens?  By ignoring one 8 pound gain after another. 


So there you have it.  If you want to join in I'd love it if you use the #operationzipthosepants hashtag too, and document your journey with me.  I might even make a button and you can link up with me when I post.  Just share what you are doing.  Encourage each other.  We can do it together, and before you know it those post it notes will be coming off and we'll be able to wear our clothes again;)  More posts (workouts and nutrition) to come...

Have a blessed day.

 

757.  my honey who is encouraging me
758.  that flip switching!
759.  greek yogurt
760.  pistachios
761.  ezekial bread
762.  an able body that allows me to push myself

so i'm not a size 3 & caprese quinoa

After my shower the other day I went for my comfy shorts.  You know the ones that look sorta cute, but more than anything the fit is just right?  I pulled them on and they were SKIN TIGHT.  We are talking sausage roll tight.  My blood pressure immediately shot up.  I started doing sumo squats to try and stretch them out, the whole time I'm fuming under my breath.  Did I shrink them??  Did I gain more weight?!  Finally I ripped them off and kicked them around the floor a bit, frustrated that another article of clothing was going to my twelve year old.  Then I picked them up and looked at the label.  They WERE my twelve year old's!!!  WHAT?  So then I'm like oooh I could actually pull up a size 3 pair of shorts;)  HA!  Uh can you say psycho?!  It took me about a millisecond to lose my joy and then another millisecond to get it back again. 



I'll be honest.  I've been down on myself this year.  It's been a roller coaster emotionally with the move etc...and I've put on about 15 pounds, which makes me mad.  Going on vacay recently and eating like a banshee didn't help much either, but that's besides the point;)  The thing is as women we can be really hard on ourselves. 

I work out.  I kill it at the gym.  I eat healthy most of the time.  I believe our bodies are worth fighting for.  It's not wrong to try and look good.  Because to me looking good equates feeling good.  What is wrong is letting satan steal my joy when I can't fit into a size 3 or if I don't like how my face looks in a picture etc...  There's some kool aid being passed around in society that we have to be itty bitty to fit in...to feel pretty.  Well I'm not buying in.  Speaking of pretty...thank you for all the sweet compliments from my previous post.  I hope you know I wasn't fishin' for them.  I was referring more to a feeling than an outward appearance, but I'll take it.  Made my head about explode. 


I went to lunch with a friend recently and she started off saying, "I don't want to offend you" and immediately I was like oh no what is she gonna say.  She went on to say that she's starting to think about aging and it's bothering her a bit, and that if it bothers her than it really must bother me.  I was like oh how so??  In a nutshell she went on to tell me she doesn't care about her looks...and it's apparent that I do.  Whew I was worried it was going to be something bad, she didn't offend me at all.  I do care.  I've mulled this one over and there is nothing wrong with caring.  Caring to me means taking CARE of yourself and I think that is what the Lord calls us to do with our bodies.  We only get one.  It's when we get out of balance and either don't care enough or care too much that it affects our lives and that's when there should be a check in our spirit.  That's what I had the other day...a little what the world are you freaking out about check!

Since we are talking about caring for ourselves, this gal has done just that.  I'm so inspired by her fit journey, and apparently she eats a lot of quinoa.  I've never had it, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  I found a yummy recipe here.

Fresh Caprese Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
-1/2 C quinoa
-8 oz fresh mozzarella
-1 carton grape tomatoes, halved
-fresh basil (I only had cilantro)-2T olive oil (I used maybe a tsp or 2.)-salt & pepper

Method
1. In a medium sized pan, bring 1 C water and 1/2 C quinoa to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer on LOW until all of the water is absorbed. This should take anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. *Cooking your quinoa on low is extremely important. If you let it simmer on a hotter flame, the water will absorb too quickly and the quinoa will turn out hard! (I've heard you can cook it in a rice cooker too.)
2. Cool the cooked quinoa in the refrigerator for at least an hour before preparing the salad.

3. To prepare the salad, slice grape tomatoes in half [hot dog way] and cut the block of fresh mozzarella into bite size pieces. Mix together. Then add the chopped basil and cooked quinoa and give the salad a toss. Next, drizzle on the olive oil and season with a little salt/pepper (to taste). Give your salad a final toss and serve cool or at room temperature.

I'm not sure what I think of quinoa.  While I was eating I took too big a bite and about killed myself on a tomato or hunk of cheese. Geesh!  Cut it up small!  After that I was scared to eat anymore.  It's supposed to be really good for ya.  That's all I know.  I'm sure I'll try it again soon:)






<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.farmgirlpaints.blogspot.com"><img vspace="none" hspace="none" alt="feed my family friday" src="http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu20/folly_surf_fisher/feedmyfamily-1.jpg" /></a>

So I'd love for you to link up a recipe and join in the fun. 

Have a blessed weekend friends.

556.  friends you can talk about anything with

557.  lunch at baker's crust with my first friday girls

(chasing a fly)

558.  how my honey makes me laugh out loud

559.  big chick's new smile;)

560.  having this place to spill my thoughts

561.  you for loving me with your words

bikini shot...brussel sprouts on the side

This is the post where I shock you with how gutsy/stupid I am!  Yes that's me...in a bikini...on the Internet:-0  Hard to believe, especially since I NEVER wear a bikini.  We are talking never!!  But in Hawaii where you don't know a soul it's easier to get a little brave.


I'm gearing up for Spring Break girlies.  I've GOT to get these last stubborn 10 pounds off.  This picture is my motivation.  It's hanging on my fridge.  This was Maui two years ago.  Probably the best I've ever looked and felt...aside from my wedding day;)  I worked hard to get my stomach that flat. We are talking HARD!  I think I ate nothing but sweet potatoes and baked chicken breasts for 10 weeks.  Ugh!  Just the thought makes my stomach turn.  This time it's all about moderation and NO bread or sweets.  I'm hitting my elliptical machine and weights every.single.day.  I'm hoping that will do it.

To go along with my new resolve and fitness goals this week it's all about the veggies.  My recipe for Feed My Family Friday is Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon.  Again it's from my trusty diabetic slow cooker recipe magazine.  Love!


1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained and crumbled (I added 4 slices)...made it tasty
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel (optional)...I opted out. 

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut Brussels sprouts into lengthwise quarters...toss with 1 tablespoon vinegar and the oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to coat.

2.  Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes until sprouts turn brown and tender.  Turn them every 10 minutes.

3.  Transfer sprouts to a large bowl and drizzle with remaining vinegar and sprinkle with bacon.  Garnish with lemon if ya want.


I thought these were really yummy...and sorta fancy;)  It's a great way to get your veggies and not feel like you are eating veggies.  Everyone seemed to enjoy them, not as much as me, but no one complained and that's a good thing.  I served it with marinated grilled sirloin steak.  And there you have it.  Healthy, simple and clean.  Beats out baked chicken and the same ole' sweet potato dinner.

LET'S EAT!!!

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Grab my button ladies and please share a recipe.  I want to see what's for dinner in your house!

 

Have a blessed day.

484.  my elliptical machine

485.  deadline...pushes me

486.  having something to look forward to

487.  pomegranate juice with seltzer water

488.  yellow spray paint;)

and so it begins...

 


The hard part of moving obviously are the goodbyes.  I am emotional to a fault.  Let's just say I live and love very deeply.  Goodbyes about do me in.  It's the part from the beginning of this process that made me not want to move forward. 

Today I had to say goodbye to these sweet women.  Women for the most part that I haven't known for very long.  I kind of shimmied my way into their neighborhood bible study, and they of course welcomed me with open arms.  It's been such a blessing to study the word with them.  There is a richness that comes from friendships when the Lord is the common thread.


I'm praying so hard that the Lord leads me to another bible study with women I can connect with.  It's like air to me.  I need it so desperately.  One because I'm lazy when it comes to studying the word on my own, and two because friends are vital to my well being.  I know He knows this.  I'm sure He's got it covered, but if you could pray that specifically for me I'd so appreciate it!

I'm feeling kinda down on my physical self lately. I've gained 10 pounds since last year. 10 POUNDS!! And I can tell.  My clothes are a little snug. My face and arms look pudgy.  I'm a stress eater, and there's been just a little bit of stress going on lately. Funny thing is my honey is losing weight. Well actually it's not funny it's annoying the he$@ out of me. He's looking lean and fit and I'm going all soft.  I know I shouldn't wait for another day to start cleaning it up, but I feel like I can't properly focus on myself when everything is in complete chaos around me. Hopefully once we get moved in and settled I can put it in high gear. Anyone with me??




This picture completely cracks me up.  Let's just say I don't do candid well.  I look like I'm saying DUH or DER!  That face is in reaction to the gift my bible study girls got me.  It was the sweetest necklace.  It's a glassed in mustard seed with the scripture Matthew 17:20 engraved on the back.  It says: If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed ...nothing shall be impossible unto you.  They also prayed over our family and the move.  Goodness I was snotty mess when that prayer was over.   So grateful for them and that new reminder that I'm wearing around my neck.  It only takes a tiny of speck of faith to believe that great things will happen.  Surely I have at least that much faith right?? 

Have a blessed day.

making it click

It's share your ugliest, scariest picture day on Farmgirl Paints...ha!  Just kiddin';)  But this is serious business.  Last week was my first camera class.  I took it with a friend.  Talk about overwhelming.  Just learning the lingo makes my head spin.  Our homework for the week was to play around with aperture.  It's the one thing that for some reason makes me the most confused.


So after devouring 4 different camera books...I'm still a little fuzzy, but I thought teaching someone else might make it clearer to me.  I am in no way an expert or probably ever will be, but I think this method of learning is the best.  Every week I will attempt to explain what I've learned.  Hope it doesn't bore you to death.  Maybe it will click for one person.  Oh and if you DO know what you are doing please please pipe in and help us all get it.

The aperture setting on my camera is called AV.  So I turn it to that setting and then I can play with the f/stop number.  The higher the number the sharper the picture.  Consequently the higher the number the smaller the little lens hole is that lets in light.  That's what gets me confused.  Everything is always opposites.  Why do they do that??  In this picture I must have had the f/stop number low because the foreground is really blurry.  The focus is on the distance shot. 

In this pic the little peeps are in focus and the distance is blurry.  The f/stop number must have been low...which mean the lens hole was really big, letting in a lot of light.  When you are in Aperture mode on your camera the shutter speed (I'll explain that later) will set for you automatically.  Which is nice, because I don't have a clue how to do both at once.  It is SOOO complicated.

BTW finally got all the Christmas stuff put away.  Can you say Hallelujah!!!  What a wonderful feeling.  I love having that behind me.  The house is all springy now, which is ironic because obviously spring is a million miles away from here. 

Hi baby...she's such a good sport.  Here the foreground and background are pretty much both in focus.  I must have had the f/stop number high.  Remember high number equals sharp total image.

Background is fuzzy.  F/number must have been low.  Does this make sense?  Did you happen to notice the candy??  We keep a really big jar of candy in the house year round.  All the Halloween, Valentine's day, Easter, birthday party junk etc...goes in that jar.  And for some reason none of us get into it.  I have no idea why.  Maybe because it's in our faces all the time and we just get used to it.  I like it though...it looks pretty:) 

Oh and I wanted to mention my "5" plan.  I wasn't going to talk about it at all, but I feel the need for an update.  I've been following this plan since the first day of Jan. and up until today had only lost 1 pound.  I've been going to the gym or exercising at home faithfully, writing everything down, etc...and only one pound!!  It's really easy to get discouraged and want to give up.  Even though the scale wasn't saying anything my body was changing.  I could see it in my face...feel it in my waist.  When you are pretty close to your goal weight the changes are slower.  Don't give up.  All of a sudden today I dropped 2 more pounds.  Be patient.  You WILL reach your goal if you don't get sidetracked.

Have a blessed day.

The "5" plan

You knew this post was coming...it's January.  I had to write a diet post.  I'm notorious for that;)  A little disclaimer here though.  I know that I'm not fat.  I fully realize this, but I have gained 8 pounds over the last few months and in my experience if you don't nip weight gain right away, one day you wake up and you truly have a problem..like a really big hiney and rolls of "cushion" hanging over your jeans.  Not that this has happened to me.  I'm just sayin';)

This picture is old.  This was us "before" we cleaned up our diet.

For the most part I have struggled with my weight since puberty.  I have the obesity gene, sorry mom but it's the truth.  I have done all sorts of things in the past to shed weight.  There was the Master Cleanse, the South Beach diet, the French Woman diet, the Body for Life diet.  The list goes on and on.


Last January Honey and I did the "eat clean" diet.  It was our own concoction, nothing new or different.  But a plan was formed and it worked really well.  We both lost a lot of weight and felt and looked great. I wrote about it here.  It was all in preparation for our big trip to Hawaii.  Funny how the thought of wearing your bathing suit in the winter will do that to ya.  It got us all geared up and ready for change.  It ended up being one of the best things we've ever done together.  It was a life changer.  Honey is a lot more disciplined than me, so months after the trip he would still have the will power and resolve to turn down dessert and I (the emotional hormonal queen that I am) did not.  So low and behold the inevitable happened and my pants are now a smidge too tight.  But I have a plan.


Since you are all my friends my plan is free...ha!  Seriously I could write a book, but I won't.  So this IS the way to lose weight.  It is fact!  It will work!  I am living proof.  So are you ready for it??  Beware...it's not sexy:)

The "5" Plan

5 days a week...sweat a lot. 
For me planning is a must.  If I am to succeed I have to get to the gym at least 3x's a week and on the other days off do something at home.   Once the weight is off maintaining can be done with 3x's a week.



5 times a day...eat.
Eating mini meals is really important and keeps your metabolism stoked.  Every three hours is a good thing to shoot for.



5 meals a day will consist of these foods: ***This is by far the most important step and I believe 90% responsible for weight loss.***  Ideally a protein source and a carb is the best mix.  So breakfast, lunch, dinner and your snacks need to have a protein and a carb.  Does that make sense?  It totally makes your body burn, burn, BURN:)

What you put into your mouth will determine if you lose weight.  For me cheating doesn't work.  If I do really great for 5 days and then have a cupcake..that mental shift will completely mess up my progress.  It's just better to stay focused and on course until the weight goal is achieved.

dairy & eggs: 

skim milk, plain-non fat greek yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, low fat string cheese, egg whites

meat: 

lean beef, lean turkey, tilapia, tuna in water, canadian bacon

veggies:
my fav's are spinach, steamed asparagus, steamed broccoli, carrots, sweet potato...add whatever you wish.

fruit:
1/2 banana, strawberries, apples (or natural applesauce), blueberries, oranges

grain:
  whole wheat pasta, low calorie whole wheat bread, rice crackers, oatmeal, high fiber english muffins, brown rice

extras:

  spray butter, small amounts of peanut butter, sugar free Coffee Mate Hazelnut creamer, lite mayo, balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and ZONE BARS.  Zone bars keep me from losing my mind when I'm craving something sweet.  

There you have it.  The recipe for weight loss success.  This is what I'm focusing on for the next 5-6 weeks.  It seems selfish doesn't it?  But I tell you taking care of yourself is a Godly thing.  He wants us to take care of these vessels.  I'm not going to talk about it again because doing the accountability thing just makes me want to shove cookies in my mouth.  I don't know why, but I self sabotage.  So if any of you have some holiday weight to lose feel free to join me.  Let me know how you did in 6 weeks:)

Have a blessed day.