This week I worked out 4 times, walking/jogging at the indoor walking track, doing 4K-5K a day (I long for the day what I can walk outside without slipping on ice). I stayed on point and did not touch my 49 flex points. I did use some of my activity points, but not all of them. I weighed-in today and I gained .2 of a pound. Yes, I know it’s not a lot, and I know it can be a multitude of many things; from muscle gain, water, hormones, stress, I have had a double ear infection that does not want to go away. But, I still want to have a pity party. I’m upset and not happy about even this small gain.

This last week, was a little harder for me health wise, sore ears are never fun and I am now on round two of medications to fix my inner ear issues. I also had a hard time getting my water in, I know this is important for weight-loss but it has been so cold I just don’t have the desire for a nice tall glass of water. This is something I need to work on.                              

My stress level has also been tested by my step-daughter this last week. The darling has been testing my no yelling and she has been riding my last two nerves…Wow, she maybe 7 going on 8 but she is acting like a trying 14 year old with wild tantrums. I think I need to add meditation into my routine; somehow I need to find a way to keep calm when she stresses me out and not allow her to chase me into the kitchen to mow through it trying to sooth myself. Several times this week I found myself making a b-line into the kitchen, I was going to find “something” to comfort my raw emotions like I had in the past. This is a change I fear will take a long time to overcome but it is an important habit to break. So, here’s to me for not allowing myself to consume a bazillion unwanted points in the effort to comfort my hurt emotions. 

This week I did not make anything new or exciting, but I wanted to share with you a workout move that I love. I love the leg lift/throws that work the abdominal muscles. I use to do these in Tae Kwon-Do and I loved them then. It’s a simple move but it can be hard to do, this can be done alone or with a buddy. I use the buddy system so that she can catch my feet and throw them for me. 

Lay on the floor with your buddy standing at your shoulders, grasp their ankles and raise your feet up to them, have them toss your feet down (at the same time), use your tummy muscles to slow the your feet down (you don’t want them to touch the floor), lower your feet until they are about an inch away from the floor, then raise them back up to be tossed back down. I do 25 of them at a time, and I do it every 5-10 laps around the track, depending on how I’m feeling that day. I try and do 50-75 of these 3-4 times a week. If you don’t want to do them with a buddy, you can do them at home on the floor holding on to something heavy for balance (If I don’t do these at the track I do them at home).

Have a great week ya’ll and just like I am going to do, keep it safe and keep it great. Eat what you need to eat to be healthy, and know that as you get healthy you’re doing great things for body.

Alisha

New Year, New me.

 

I have not blogged in a little over 5 months. I don’t have a good excuse or a good reason why, but I am ready to restart.  I have missed recapping my weeks, and I miss the helpful tips and/or comments from my friends. For the New Year I plan to post one meal I did, with pictures.

 

If I find a product or workout routine I love I will share it. I am going back to the honest, hold no punches, true-to-self beginnings. This is where I want to put into words my getting healthy week, if I lose on the scale or not. I want to celebrate my non-scale successes, they are so much more important then people think.

 

Lets start this BLOG:

I am going to recap my last 4 weeks; I think that’s a good starting point to jump back in from.

 

January 26- lost 1.8 pounds

February 02- gained .4 pound

February 09- gained .8 pound

February 16- lost 2.0 pounds

 

The weeks of February 2 and February 9, I worked-out hard pushed myself, I thought I was going to have great losses. But, I ended up gaining. Gaining!!! I thought I was on point with eating and working out. I admit it was a rude awakening for me when I was told I gained. I was mad, upset, hurt and devastated. I was ready to quit, toss in the towel. But, I am too stubborn and I have the BEST support team. So, with the help of my WW friends and my WW leader we concluded that I was not EATING ENOUGH, crazy I know. So, this week I ate less fruit and added more protein.  It worked!!! It is tough working out and fine tuning what your body needs.

 

The weather has been super cold here in Ontario Canada (4F-24F has been too cold to walk in), so my WW buddy and BFF have been walking at the indoor track. We KICKED BUM this week and pushed ourselves harder then we have before.  Our goal this last week was to push ourselves. We Walked/Jogged 4K each day this last week. Next week my goal is to do 5K a day and over half of that distance jogging.  I will keep you posted.

 

I wanted to share a product that I fell in LOVE with. Danone ~ Silhouette Greek yogurt, its 50 calories for 100 grams, has 8 grams of protein, and 1 gram of fibre,  for only 1point. I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the refreshing apple flavor, it is crisp, light and yummy. I plan on trying them all. I eat one after my workout.

 

For Valentine’s Day I made a fruit snack that the kids and I loved.  I just watched what I ate and made sure I ate only a couple of chocolate dipped ones. Super yummy and super fun!!!

 

IT WAS AMAZING!!!

 

 

6 POINT Spaghetti squash DINNER:

For each half of the squash I added:

1 wedge of Laughing Cow jalapeno -1 point

1.5 pieces of low sodium bacon –2 points

¼ cup cooked sweet potato (I had one hand) – 1 point

½ cup homemade sauce of tomatoes – 1 point

For a total of 5 points

 

I then added steamed green beans, broccoli and carrots- 0 points

Mixed greens salad with tomatoes, cucumber, celery and 1 TBS dressing for – 1 point

For a dinner total of 6 WW Points and full of delish flavor. Husband even loved it.

 

Have a great week and I look forward to reconnecting with friends.

 

Let’s ROCK IT this week!!!!

Alisha Ojeda

First day of school for the kids spells AWESOME FREEDOM for moms and dads.

 

The first day of school for my son Riley was a lot harder for me then it was for him. He only went for 2 hours on Friday, but it felt like I was missing my arm. But, I am looking forward to the new adventures I will be embarking upon with this childless freedom.

My weight loss progress has been a little/lot slower the last few weeks then I expected. This week I lost only .4 of a pound, it is tough after I have been working so hard. I have been tracking, walking more, and making the right choices. But this stubborn fat is not understanding the eviction notice I have given it. I wanted to hit my 60 pound mark before my mom and dad came for a visit, I have 9.4 pounds to go and 16 days to do it (I have been working hard at this for 2 weeks).  OKAY-OKAY-OKAY....rethink this Alisha....re-evaluate what it is you are doing and working toward. Maybe this goal was not the right goal to have at this time.

When I walked the kids to their first day of school, I saw people I have not seen since the end of June, they were shocked to see how much I had "lost", but it's not pounds that I've lost, it's inches. When I went to my WW meeting this morning a couple of people come up to my friend Sherry and I, commenting with encouraging words about how much we have lost during summer vacation. I have not lost a lot of pounds, but I know I have lost inches. So, I am going to take what the universe is tossing my way and take notice of the difference in my body.

This week I am going to take 5 minutes a day and look at myself in the mirror while wearing only my undergarments. I'm going to take notice how much my body had changed in the last 3 months. I'm going to take notice of how different my clothing feels, from my undergarments, tops, pant...everything. I am going to flex my muscles and view my whole body to see the physical definitions that are showing from my toes to my nose.
This is going to be a chance for me to take a new peek at the "new me". I have avoided mirrors for so long (I have trained myself to view myself from my chin to the top of my head) this will possibly be the toughest thing I ask of myself. I will post next week my discoveries.

Fall is coming, the leaves are changing. The summer bounty of fruit and veggies are going to become limited. I am going to miss watermelon but, I'm going to enjoy the coming fall bounty. SOUP season is coming and I LOVE soup, three cheers for soup...hip-hip-hooray!!!

*Sherry love, I know you are not a big fan of salads, how do you feel about soup??

*Jen, I know how much you love tomatoes, do you like tomato soup??

This is going to be a new week for me with no kids at home. I plan to add kickboxing into my weekly routine 2-3 times a week, walk in the mornings after I drop the kids off at school, and again in the afternoon with my walking buddy. This is new time in my life, I plan on embracing it with gusto and making it all about my health and fitness.

Have a great week y'all, let's ROCK IT!!!

The End of Summer

 

The end of summer brings with it, shorter days and cooler nights. The kids are ready to go back to school, YIPPEE-SKIPPY!!!! The last few weeks we have been having fun with the kids, making memories and sharing in their delights, as daddy and I spend time with them doing fun kid things.

 

This year all three kids are going to be going to school. This is a big step for our youngest who is joining the world of big-boy school and a bigger step for me as he is my only child. Riley will be going all day, everyday. I will miss my little buddy, my little rascal, my partner in crime. This will be a new phase for me, one I am excited for, and one that makes me just a little sad. Being a stay-at-home mommy, your kids become your whole life. One day they're under-feet exploring, the next they are out in the big-big world on their own, it makes you feel a little left-out.

 

 I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, sorry, I will do better in the future. I just wanted to get the last of the summer days in with my kids. As we all know, time runs fast even when we need it to stop for just a few hours. My days end with me needing a little more time, like most people I know. Again, I am sorry and I will do a better job at keeping this post updated in a timely manner.

 

The last few weeks I have had a tough time losing weight, due to stress and my not tracking as I should. Summer indulgences with the kids have been fun, and needed for a well rounded summer.

Memories made one day at a time, one event at a time. Soon they wont want Sean and I around for summer breaks, so I will bask in them now for as long as I can.

 

My weight loss during the following weeks:

 

The week of August 18, 2012 I maintained my weight.

The week of August 25, 2012 I gained 1.4 pounds

The week of September 1, 2012 I gained .2 of a pound.

For a total of 1.6 pound gained in the last three weeks.

 

There were days I made the choice to have something that was not the best of choice I could have made. But, I firmly believe you have to have days when you stray and allow yourself the indulgences of decadent delights. Life is too short to be strict with what you eat and do all the time. Life is suppose to be fun, and if you say "no" to yourself all the time life will become unfun. You will also have a harder time losing weight because you will constantly be thinking about food you want but don't think you can have.

 

In the last few weeks I have lived the following:

"Laugh" with your kids as often as you can. I enjoyed taking Riley to the CNE and watching him play, ride rides, and enjoy the treats that come with going to a fair. Watching his joy shine from his eyes is worth more then any pound lost.

"Time" Sean and I allowed the kids to stay up later then normal so that they could play with one another. Funny how in the evenings the kids find a magic hour that they all play nicely together, funny how it's right before bed. It was nice hearing them play NICE with one another.

"Love" spending time with the kids was not productive for my weight loss, but it was good for their little hearts. I think that is what will matter more to them when they get older. A mom that was there for them, that could have a fun time and splurge on "fun" food with them. I don't want them to obsess about food or weight like I have all my life, I want them to have normal childhoods that are healthy and fun.

 

This week I intend to get back to tracking, that is what keeps me on track and when I do my best. I will also try new menu items, I have gotten out of habit of making a menu and I will need this once the kids are back in school. With the menu's I will post the new meals with pictures that I make. This will be fun. Fall foods that are both enjoyable, but also point worthy. I love the comfort foods that come with the cooler weather, so do my kids.

 

Have a blessed week all, and enjoy the last of summertime.

We are going to "ROCK THIS WEEK".

Alisha

 



100 Club

 I’m sorry I have not posted anything in the last couple of weeks, some of my days ran wild and the others were filled with summer vacation joys.

Being a Weight Watcher Goddess has its good days and its bad days. The past couple of weeks were filled with both. I am not just a WW Goddess trying to gain her health back.

♥ I am also the wife to an amazing husband whom daily shows me love, understand, and immeasurable compassion. He gives me strength when I need it the most.

♥ I am the mother to a delightful, funny, challenging, and energetic four year old.

♥ I am also the step mother to two loving, bright, challenging step kids.

Being a step parent is a gift given to me by God and I value His faith in me. It is a loving, challenging, emotional, prayer filled job. I love them as they are my own, but they come with their own special needs and lets face it, road blocks. I can love them as my own but if I love them too much, then some people feel their toes are stepped on. If I don’t love them enough, then I am the evil stepmother. There have been days these last few weeks I wondered if I truly lost my mind...I think the jury is still out. 

The last three weeks I did not post an update, for one reason or another my weeks flew by and I did not get a chance to catch-up to with my weight loss blog.

The last three weeks I have seen many ups and many downs, both emotional and physical.

The week of July 28, 2012; I lost 1.8 pounds, for a total of 52 pounds. That was an exciting week as I reached the weight loss goal of the 100 club. My weight for this week was 199.8 pounds, I was thrilled. This journey has been so emotional and challenging. To hit this milestone was sheer joy and triumphant elation.

The week of August 4, 2012; I had a slight step back, I gained 2.4 pounds and went back to weighing 202.2 pounds. I took this gain in stride and knew it could not be avoided. I threw my back out and could barely move, I was on pain pills and just moving was agony. Walking for “fun” was out of the question. It took me a week and a half to recover, the longest week and a half of my life. During this I came to the painful realization that back pain is not for the week of heart or soul. My body functions came to a grinding halt, and to be blunt, it took all my effort to fart. It was four days until I could muster the strength to go number two, ‘holy cow Bat Man’. I felt like I was six months pregnant and let me tell you I was *Super Mommy Cranky Pants*. I was happy to return to almost normal by Wednesday THANK THE LORD. I kept track of what I ate and I really tried my best to get in extra water and to move as much as I could without relapsing.

The week of August 10, 2012; REDEMPTION week, I lost 3.2 pounds, for a total of 52.8 pounds lost and my current weight of 199, back in the 100 club. YIPPEE YIPPEE KY YI YEA!!!!

I was so happy and shocked. I still had low mobility due to my back, but I have been able to move more and more each day. I think my saving grace was my plumbing is almost back to normal and I tracked every lick, bite, and taste I put into my mouth.

My plans for the next week are to keep on the track that I have been on. To keep remember how far I have come and where I want to be. Healthy!!!!

Have a great week all. Let’s ROCK this week!!!

July 14, 2012

This week I stayed the same on the scales but, I had a major leap of personal growth. I took the kids swimming and this year I put on a swimming suite and joined in on the fun. I still don't like the way I look but I know they don't care, they were just happy to have me play with them in the water. So, folks here it is....

me in my swimming suite. This was such a big moment for me, I knew that I had to let you in on it. One day at a time, yes sir, one day at a time.

I hurt my back and I am trying to bounce back, I miss walking and working out. Saturday I knew that I would either stay the same or have a gain, thank goodness I stayed the same. I hope to be able to move more this week, keeping fingers crossed.

I bought a panini press and I love it. This week I made a pressed quesadilla. It was AWESOME and only 7 points plus!!! Super YUMO!!!! if you pair this with a summer fruit salad, it is the perfect summer meal. 

I want to give my friend a shout-out, Sherry, I am so proud of you. Having hit a milestone, the loss of 65 pounds is amazing. YOU GO GIRL!!!! WOOT-WOOT-WOOT!!!! Now, we dance around the room...snap-snap, wiggle-wiggle, twirl-clap...snap-snap, wiggle-wiggle, twirl-clap...snap-snap, wiggle-wiggle, twirl-clap...snap-snap, wiggle-wiggle, twirl-clap...snap-snap, wiggle-wiggle, twirl-clap... 

I hope everyone has a great week, lets ROCK IT!!! Have a blessed week, and have fun.

I DID IT!!!! 

I MADE MY 50 POUND MARK!!!! 

HIP-HIP HOORAY!!!!!

After such a trying month and a half, I finally crested over the 50 pound mark. YIPPEE-SKIPPY (My inner cheerleader has got her pom-poms and she is doing high kicks, she is in such good spirits)!!!
This week I lost 1.4 pounds for a total 50.2 pounds shed from my glorious body. I get to add another bead on my bracelet, I am so excited. This journey has been filled with joy, sadness, determination and triumph these emotions have spurred me along. And yes, I have had a DIVA moment or two, not proud of them, but they are part of my journey so I need to acknowledge her. 

This is my half way mark on my journey. I say half way mark loosely, if I feel in 25-30 pounds I am happy with the way I feel then that will be my end mark for weight loss, and the maintenance portion of my journey will start. But for now, I get to add my 50 pound coin to my key chain from Weight Watchers. At my meeting on Saturday it was such a rush to hold the super shiny copper medallion. I am pron to be delighted in all things that are shiny.

I am thankful for the people that are so supportive of my journey, knowing that I don't want to be super thin but healthy and curvy. My husband who supports me as I am, who loves me as I am, and tells me all the time that he loves me no matter what size I am, thank you honey. I am thankful for my walking buddy Jennifer, you help solve the worlds problems, you are such a joyful treasure to have as a friend. You keep me out-and-about walking and talking, much love to you my friend I cherish you more then you know. And a shout out to my WW friends, Sheri, I am so proud of you and the journey you are on, you keep me motivated and awe-inspired. Your journey reflects mine in so many similarities, it is nice to see your awesomeness and how joy filled you are at your milestones. Thank you for keeping me motivated during the moments I have been down, you ROCK!!! and last but not least, I want to give a shout out to my family, my mom and sisters. You have helped me, listened to me, and kept me on track. Katie I would not be where I am today if it weren't for you, holding my hand my first meeting. Thank you.

     

I got to add a new bead to my bracelet, each 5 pounds I get a new bead and at 10 pounds I get a sparkle bead. I went with a smokey crystal-like bead. I think it really help, when I am out and about and I get a snack attack, I just look down and see how far I have come. I know it is a little crazy but I love it and it keeps me on point. 

If you don't know, I love anything cinnamon, and Ericia found these little Weight Watcher snack delights at a store near her. It is a close out store, they have a best before date, but I just take them and pop them into my freezer. I love the fact that they are only .99 cents for a box of 4 snack cakes (3 points plus each) or a box of 9 cookies (2 points plus each). Life changing is hard, but it is harder when there is no desserts to be savoured. I maybe retraining my eating habits but I know that I cant give-up on sweets, be it cakes, cookies, or frozen yogurt. Life is too short not to have sweet treats. 

I find I get in a rut when it come to eating, there are a couple things I love. Salads are my big time life savers. A large salad filled with veggies is zero points, add a little lean meat and dressing and the point value is only 4-6 points depending on how much meat and dressing I want. I LOVE SUMMER SALADS. 

I also love to have bar-b-q'ed chicken and veggies. What is it about food being cooked outside that makes it so yummy? I have had to learn that I don't have to have potatoes with dinner, they are not worth the points for me. I would rather have a salad and have points left over for some dessert. 

I know that some of my friends don't like to be limited to a point range, but it keeps me in check. I know my limit, and I know I can succeed on my journey. This way may not be for some but it is perfect for me, veggies and fruits are 0 points in moderation. I don't think I could do this if I was limited to or had to eliminated them from my diet. I am thankful that Weight Watchers has been successful for me, but I have also worked very hard to make sure I succeeded. I exercise, track my eating, weigh and measure my food portions. Keeping on track is hard and I know there will be weeks that I fall off the waggon and take a step or two back. This is life, this is a journey, this is a life change. I remind myself, the choices I make today my body will be happy with 3-6 months from now.

Thank you for all the support, I look forward to the other half of the weight loss journey.
Lets ROCK this week ya'll.