Low Fat Homemade Tomato-Basil Pizza

I made this pizza on Sunday and it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E.! For the base, I used one of those sandwich wraps. I heated it slightly first in a frying pan just to get it crispy then I added all the fixins'. Don't let all that yummy cheese fool you...it's fat free! I cooked it about 10 minutes or so on 375. Just think of all the variations you could come up with! I'm excited! Next time I'm either going to try a BBQ chicken style or some sort of Mexican variety.

Marc and I rode our bikes on Saturday. We rode 7 miles. Holy crap...I thought I was gonna die, but I finished! I had to stop a couple of times along the way, but I was determined! That Swamp Rabbit Trail has some crazy inclines. You don't realize it until you start pedaling up 'em!

I'm down another pound....192.

MIA

I've been M.I.A. I've been busy with my class reunion stuff so I haven't had much time for blogging. Honestly, it seems like I say the same shit everyday anyway. I'm still at 193, although some days the scale likes to f*ck with me and say 194.

We had sushi last night. It was awesome. It wasn't until the last year or so that I'd even touch the stuff. I also had a mixed drink and a glass of wine. Not the sort of thing a diet is made of, I know. I have been exercising. I plan to ride my bike tonight. I didn't pay all that $$ for it to sit in the garage. Guilt is a wonderful thing sometimes.

Later Taters.

I'm Slipping...

Last night I didn't exercise because I had a committee meeting for my 20th year high school reunion. Tonight I'm not going to exercise because we've been invited to Todd & Janice's house to eat crab legs. Wait, that's not true. Janice did say that I should bring my walking shoes and that we'd walk up her neighbor's driveway. It's way long and way hilly. It's better than nothing. I'd much rather get in my usual walk though. I couldn't turn down the invite for crab legs. Crab isn't fattening, is it? I think as long as you don't dip it in the melted buttah, you're ok.

I lost another pound. 193!

Ouch...That Hurts!

My body hurts in more than one place from all the stuff I did this weekend. Marc and I rode our bikes at Furman on Saturday. My butt hurts pretty bad from doing that. That seat isn't kind to my rear end at all! You'd think that with all the padding I have back there, that I wouldn't hurt, but let met tell ya.....it hurts down to my haunches. OUCH!! Does that get better with time, I wonder? Yesterday, I drug out the Wii and did my Wii Fit. It was the first time I'd played it since February. I did some exercises that I'd never done on there before, including some crunches. I think they called them "scissor curls"? I woke up this morning and I'm SORE! I suppose that's a good kind of sore though. Yesterday evening, Sarah and I walked our usual. So I had a weekend full o' exercise. I lost another pound....so I'm at 194 now! Zipadee Do Da! Zipadee Dee Day! I'm on the downhill slope to the 180's!

I made some turkey spaghetti yesterday. I thought it was decent, but Marc only rated it a 5. Of course it isn't going to be as good as ground beef spaghetti, but it was definitely better than a Lean Cuisine!

I Bought A Bike!

Well....I finally did it. I bought a bike! Sarah called yesterday and bailed on walking last night, so I called Marc and got him to meet me at Sunshine Bicycle Shop to help me pick out a bike. I spent more than I wanted, but I didn't want to make the same mistake I made the last time I bought a bike. If you remember, I bought a bike back in May from Walmart. It was a beach cruiser type and I didn't have much success with it. I rode it a handful of times and the gears didn't seem to work well. Marc said it was "user error", but I'm not so sure! My new one is WAY easier to ride. Now, I'm not sure if it's because it's a lighter bike or because I've lost 20+ pounds since I last rode a bike. It's probably a little bit of both. Marc and I went to Furman to ride last night. Note to self: Never go to Furman Lake in the Summer on a Thursday night. I had forgotten that they have concerts there in the Summer. It was NOT a time to be riding around the lake. It was way crowded and nothing but a big cluster f*ck. The ride would have been really nice, had it not been for the big crowd milling around. We finally decided to get off the trail around the lake and get on the Swamp Rabbit Trail which runs parallel to the campus. We rode on that for a few minutes, but then Marc's foot started hurting some, so we headed back to the car. I think we rode about 2 1/2 miles. I'm jazzed! I lurrrrrrrrrrrve my new bike! I'm not so jazzed about the stoooooooopid ass helmet that I have to wear. I'm so getting some skull stickers or something to make it look less dorky.

Getting Bored & Half Asses

I'm getting bored with my weight loss journey. I'm not getting bored with exercise, but I'm getting tired of just walking. I'm pretty sure I'm going this week to buy a bike. I'm getting tired of eating the same old foods and I need to mix things up a bit. I need to find some decent recipes and quick fix meals. I had a turkey dog the other day and it was pretty darn good. I topped it with hot dog relish instead of chili and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted. Last night I had a Morningstar Chicken Patty and it was good too. I don't have a ton of time to cook in the evening before I exercise, so time is a factor when it comes to food. Ehhh...it's a process and a learning experience, I know.

There's something else that's been bugging me lately. It irritates me when I see people who say that they want to lose weight, but then don't really try. They half ass it. I know that I've been there/done that myself. Who am I to judge?? It's all a mind thing. You have to resolve in your mind that you're going to REALLY DO IT and then REALLY DO IT! I'm working on not being irritated at people in my life for half assing it. I don't know what else to do, but to encourage them and to offer tips that have helped me. Until they make that commitment to themselves, I don't suppose there is really anything else I CAN do.

Gosh, that makes me sound so snarky and judgemental. I'm not...I swear!

********************************************************************************

Edited to add: I started to delete this post, because it really isn't fair for me to be irritated at all. Weight loss is HARD and I shouldn't judge or make assessments about anyone in their weight loss journey. I hope that I haven't stepped on any one's toes or hurt any feelings. If I have, I am truly sorry.

Since October...

...I have lost 30 pounds (I'm down to 195 today). Now granted, during that time I lost, gained, and then lost some of the same pounds back. Yeah, I know, that's kind of confusing. Some of you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about and are nodding your head right now. It has only been since mid-May that I have lost the majority of that weight though. I feel so much better. My self-confidence as soared. I can tell that I have lost some of the junk in my trunk and that I don't feel like my ass has it's own zip code any more. I can wear clothes that I couldn't wear last year. Because I'm exercising, I feel more fit than I have felt in years. I actually LOOK FORWARD to exercising! What theeeeeeeeeeee hell? How is that possible?? I have more energy and I'm mindful of my food choices. I worry though, that I'll revert back to the old ways. I worry that I won't stay focused and that I'll find myself in my recliner with a chili-cheeseburger plate with no thoughts of exercising. Will I let myself go that route again? I have before. 10 years ago, I went from 206 to 126 pounds in about 8 months. I kept the weight off for about 4 or 5 years. Gradually, the weight crept back on until I eventually weighed 225 pounds. I know that I'll always battle my weight. I know that it will never be easy for me. How do change my lifestyle for good and make it stick?

'Cause Dats How We Roll....

As promised, here are a few pics from Saturday....

Marc & Janice

Sarah & Janice

Me & Sarah




Todd & Abby



Janice & Marc (he ALWAYS throws the finger in photos...ALWAYS)


Marc (working his cooking magic) and Sarah

munching on some Guiltless Gourmet chips & salsa

Sarah (talking to Andrew, who was late & why he's absent from the pics)

Janice & MEEEEE!

Almost Back To Normal

I'm pleased to say that Marc's foot is healing. He's off the crutches and he's able to walk on his foot again. Whew! It's not completely healed, but it's getting there.

In fatass news, I ate some fried mushrooms and a ton o' peanuts on Friday and yesterday was the first time I exercised since last Tuesday. The scale says I'm up 2 pounds. I'm not worried about it. Not even a little bit. I'm back in my groove now and I'm only looking forward.

We had a few friends over on Saturday. I served some of those Guiltless Gourmet chips and salsa and they scarfed them down in no time. I also picked up some low fat Black Bean and Chipotle dip at Publix that was a big hit too. I wasn't going to buy full fat chips & dip because I knew that I'd be WAY tempted. Turned out they loved the low fat stuff anyway! I took a few pics. I'll try and post them tomorrow.

TGIF!

It's been another bitch of a week. Marc hurt his ankle last Friday. His foot was swollen Friday night, but by Saturday the swelling had gone down. It had improved more by Sunday, and he rode his bike about 6 1/2 miles. Bad idea. By Monday it was hurting even worse and swollen again. Long story short, we've been to the doctor twice this week. He's on crutches and has been told to rest his foot and ice it. The doctor says that he has a stress fracture. He goes back to the doctor on Tuesday. He's been ill as a hornet through all this mess. I would be too. I know he's been in a lot of pain and not being mobile is a pain in the ass. ANYWAY...I hope he's on the mend now.

I haven't walked since Tuesday night, but I have lost another pound....I'm down to 196! :)

Hopefully next week, I'll get back into my walking groove and things will get back to normal!

12 Facts About Me You Didn't Know

1. I think political correctness has gone too far. People get their feelings hurt too easily these days. Suck it up already! Get over yourself!

2. I despise Oprah. I also despise anyone affiliated with Oprah. That includes Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, and whoever that BFF is of hers....Gayle? It irritates me to no end when people take what Oprah says as the gospel. Oprah thinks her sh*t don't stank. Yeah...I'm pretty sure it does.

3. I say "Yes, Sir" and "Yes, Ma'am". You rarely hear that said much anymore (even in the South). If I had children, I'd teach them to say it. I tried to teach my dogs to say it, but they just looked at me crooked and then licked their butts.

4. Cornbread isn't worth eating unless it's cooked in a cast iron skillet.

5. I played softball from the 4th grade until my freshman year in college. My senior year in high school I won MVP. I missed the award ceremony because of a boy.

6. I don't care who you are, I'm not going to kiss your ass.

7. In 2001, a cyst the size of a large grapefruit consumed my left ovary and I had surgery to remove it.

8. I have a B.A. degree in Elem. Education. I taught K5 for a short time. I soon realized that I hated it. I have never regretted not using my degree.

9. I know how to make (can) bread & butter pickles.

10. No one can read the Sunday paper before me. As I read it, it as to be stacked "just so". If it's not stacked correctly, I can't continue to read the rest of the paper.

11. Once the fire dept. was dispatched to my house. Apparently, when you're cooking frozen pizza, you're supposed to remove the brown cardboard the pizza sits on before you cook it. Who knew?

12. I am not ashamed of being a Southerner or of my Southern accent. Anyone is who ashamed should be beat about the face with a wet carp.

Me - January 2008

Looks Can Be Deceiving...

This incline doesn't look like much, but it sure kicks my butt. This was formerly an old railroad track and was recently turned into a walking/biking trail. I'm thankful for this trail, because I'm not sure that I'd be so active without it. It's literally seconds from my house. Convenience means a lot to me!

I walked last night by myself. I started at a different part of the trail for a change of scenery. I walked part of the trail and then around Furman Lake. My pedometer said it was only 3 miles though. It started raining on me and it was getting late so I headed home. I wasn't digging walking by myself last night either, because at that time they had not announced that they'd caught the Gaffney serial killer dude yet. (FYI...Gaffney is about an hour away from me). Close enough for me to get the willies about walking alone! Good thing I don't do that often.

I lost another pound............I'm at 197.

I rock.

That is all.

Holiday Weekends Are H.A.R.D.!

I'm pleased to say that the 2 pounds that I "gained" from eating the Mexican food on Thursday is gone. I'm also pleased to say that I didn't gain any from the long holiday weekend. I want to compare this weekend to a mine field. First, being off 3 days in a row, put me out of my routine. Having a hurt foot, put me out of my exercise groove. Marc and I went to a cook out at his Dad's house on the 4th. I did fairly well until someone poked a plate of nanner pudding in my face. It was HOMEMADE BANANA PUDDING, Y'ALL. I couldn't turn it down, because that would just be bad manners, and my Mama taught me better than that! :)

Yesterday morning, we went out to breakfast (which we NEVER do). I actually had willpower and only had a bowl of grits and some toast. Marc wasn't so strong. He had a heart attack on a plate, which pretty much consisted of eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits & gravy. I'm sure it had bacon or sausage too. I couldn't look at it much or else I would have wanted to eat it all and then lick the plate. That's just how I roll.

I came within a gnat's hair of going to Bruster's and getting a double scoop of Butter Pecan Ice Cream last night, but I didn't. Holidays do that kind of crap to me! They suck you in and make you think that it's ok to cheat!

The posse and I walked last night. My foot is better, but it's not 100%. I'm thinking of buying another bike. The last bike I had, I returned to Walmart. It was a beach cruiser and Marc said it was a heavy bike. Also, the gears didn't change right, although Marc said it was just "user error". Whatever...maybe he's right. Anyway, I'm still debating on getting another one. The one I had was definitely a cheapie and it really was heavy, compared to the bike he has. I worry that I'll be huffing it up some of the hills on the trail. I huff up the hills when I walk. Will it be easier or harder on a bike?

Shouldn't Have Done That!

Last night Janice called and asked us to meet them for Mexican. It's been a bitch of a week, so I agreed. I didn't do toooo bad, but I didn't do great. I ordered a quesadilla that had shrimp and grilled veggies, but it also had lots of cheeeeeeeeese. The plate also had rice and a salad with two big globs of guacamole and sour cream. I only ate half my quesadilla, and half my rice. I did dip into the guacamole and sour cream, but didn't eat all of that either. I ate a good amount of chips though. Oh.....and I had a big ass margarita. I weighed this morning and showed a 2 pound gain. That's what you get when you choose to weigh every day. That food was good, but it wasn't worth seeing that gain on the scale.

I'm going sometime this weekend to buy myself some new workout clothes. I've been wearing some regular capris and I really need something a cooler. The heat is bad enough, but the humidity, is a killer. Gotta love the South, y'all!

In Other News.....

.....I lost another pound. I'm down to 198. I walked an extra mile or so last night, but hurt my foot in the process. I don't know what I did to it, but it almost feels like a non-stop cramp across the top of my foot. I've had this same hurt a few months back. It healed on it's on when I stayed off my foot, so I guess I need to ease up on the walking for a few days.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge.

We'll Miss You, Hailey

Yesterday Hailey died. We adopted her in 1996. At the time, we believe she was at least a couple of years old. She lived a long life and her death wasn't completely unexpected, but it hurt, nonetheless. Since we don't have children, our dogs are our children. We certainly feel a loss. Yesterday morning, Hailey met me at the back door as she usually does. I wish I had known that would be the last time. Marc found her last night under the deck. When I came home from walking last night, I saw him digging a hole. It took a minute for it to sink in what was happening, but then I soon realized. He was crying as he dug that hole and I couldn't do anything but cry along with him. She was faithful and loving. One cool dog.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

~Roger Caras

Hailey, a.k.a Hale-Bop

1994-2009

I Forgot I Had Curves!

I have curves again! I can see my waist. I know that I'm still a heifer, but I.HAVE.CURVES! I wouldn't look near as large if it wasn't for my rear end. Even when I'm skinny, I have a big ass. Well...bigger than your average bear anyway. It's not freakishly big. It is what it is. Can't do anything about that. Everyone in my family has the same ass.

Sarah and I walked last night. Cindy, my best friend from high school joined us. That was the first time I had talked with her in about 4 years. We caught up with each other and had some laughs. We talked about new stuff and about old times. I can't believe that we have been out of high school 20 years. 20 YEARS. I'm frickin' old.

Did I mention that I'm in ONDERLAND!?!? Being 199 is awesome! I'm loving it!