Eating Good for Us Food!

Many of you know that I have been a diabetic for almost 20 years and for the past few years have dinked around with trying to lose weight.  I say "dinked" because I would start a diet, start to exercise, start to drink more water, lose a few pounds, was at my highest weight in Summer of 2011 and so started to take things a little more serious.

Yes, I know I am a slower learner :)

I lost 26 lbs :) but slowly began gaining the weight back, gained 10 of those pounds back.

Earlier this year as I started having problems with my blood sugars, stressing over how I am going to get my medications.  Two of my medications costs over $1200 every three months and the rest of them are about $75 a month.

If I can get my eating under control, exercise every day like I know I should I know I can cut down if not eliminate some of the diabetes medications I take thus saving us money.

So once again I decided to get back on the bandwagon of getting healthy.

First I got myself an accountability friend.  Many of you know her as my bestie.  I started out writing down everything I eat.  I use My Fitness Pal to record everything I eat.  I mean everything, even all the candy I ate last week when I was having a very hard day.  By putting in my height, current weight and my goal the program helps me figure out how many calories a day I can have each day.  I log all the food I eat, the water I drink and any exercise I do.  I have a little ticker that lets me know how much weight I have lost and my overall goal.

And another great friend got me this great workbook:

I am now on Day 15...because of the rough couple of days I had last week I repeated a couple of days.

It is not a magic book but a tool, one of many that I am using.

Another tool I am using is a Facebook group I started called "Getting Healthy One Day at a Time."  And believe me, it is one day at a time, some days it's half a day at a time and sometimes for me it is get through this hour at a time.  We are a group of ladies who are trying to get healthy, being accountable to each other, encouraging each other when we slip that we can do this and cheering each other when we reach a new goal!!  We are a closed group and after a couple of glitches we are going strong.

Another tool that a friend is helping me with is using protein shakes as a meal replacement.  It is full of nutrients and tastes yummy.  Actually I have used Beachbody Shakeology and Body By Vi protein shakes before and if you are interested in either of them I would be happy to connect you to two great health coaches.  Or you can buy this

or something similar.  Use it as a meal replacement for one or two meals a day.  I am doing one shake a day.  I do it for my breakfast and it keeps me full for a good three to four hours.  I have been encouraged to eat three to six small meals a day and so far it is working for me.

And I have set small goals for myself.

Yesterday my goal was to walk for 5 minutes around the park.  Ron and I measured the distance of the roads inside the park and the perimeter distance.  One lane is 1/4 a mile so the shortest distance I would walk is half a mile because if I go down one lane I have to come back to the rig up the other lane :)  Yesterday I felt so good I decided to do the perimeter and walked a mile in 13 minutes ~ yeah me :)  Got back to the rig and realized I had forgotten to take a letter to the mail box, umm Ron had the Jeep at work, guess what I walked another mile.  Our rig is parked as far from the mailbox as possible here in our campground.  So back out I went and did a second mile.  I felt good.  I slept well last night.

One thing about my walking...I would say I was going to walk but then would get busy doing other stuff and never get out for my walk, well night before last as I had trouble going to sleep I was talking to God about my NOT walking.  He said, umm, do it as soon as you get up...don't get "BUSY" doing other stuff, just do it!!! Right away in the morning and that is how I did my first walk yesterday.  

This morning I had Malachi come over for about 6 hours and so I told him after breakfast and the sun came out we were going for a walk.  He asked me where?  I said, you will see.  So about 10 a.m. we got our shoes and socks on and went for our walk.  He would run ahead of me, walk with me, lag behind me but he talked to me the whole time and we had a great walk.  Came back and sprayed the weeds around the patio area of our campsite...yes, I even did a little yard work.....what is getting into me?

Another thing I am doing is cooking at home.  In fact, we have not gone out to eat except twice since we have been here in Liberty/Coffeyville, KS - once when we were on a six hour drive that we took to Oklahoma to see some sights and one day when we had gone into town and it took longer than expected and my blood sugar started dropping so we pulled into Sonics.  Even that day I made a pretty good choice compared to what I used to eat: a grilled chicken wrap, half an order of tots and NO soda pop.  And if you have known me for any length of time you know how I love my soda pop.  I could check my food journal but I think I have had 5 soda's in the last 20 days ~ yeah for me :)

For dinner last night I made mini pizzas w/pepper jack cheese for Ron and mozzarella cheese for me, pepperoni, red/white onions, red, green, yellow & orange peppers, mushrooms and FAKE shredded cheese for the topping - not because I intended to use FAKE cheese but because I saw it was $4.99 for 2 lbs and I thought what a great deal :) :) :) next time I will read the label that is for sure.  You know that stuff does not melt.  Ron and I usually split a medium pizza - last night I ate one mini pizza!!  yeah me :)

And a fresh fruit salad with apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries and oranges and I did not put any Cool Whip on it!!!

And I added a green salad with mushrooms, onions, carrots, peppers and lite Italian dressing.  Yeah for me :) I did not eat the fattening blue cheese dressing that is my Favorite!!!

Here is a peak at our dinner last night.  Hope you enjoy looking at it as much as we enjoyed eating it.

Ingredients for the pizza.

All put together  except for the shredded cheese.

And before it went into the oven.

Looking good in there baking.  This is when I noticed the cheese wasn't melting so pulled it back out of the fridge to see what it was ~ it was FAKE!!!!

The fruit salad!

And Ron patiently waiting for me to present him with his dinner.

And voila ~ dinner: healthy, colorful and tasty.

I forgot to get a picture of my green salad.  Ron had two mini pizza's and fruit salad.  I had one mini pizza, fruit salad and a green salad.    And it was ALL good.

So be prepared to see what's cooking in the Wander Lodge in the days to come!!!

Oh and I am down 4 lbs in 20 days!!!

Friday Fumblings

 

Today is probably your Friday

but for us it is our 

 

as Ron goes back to work tomorrow - confusing for sure :)

Thursday was a difficult day for me in the area of eating - I did well in the morning but the afternoon and evening were a downhill slide but as my friend reminds me often

Tomorrow is a new day!!

Today is that new day!!

It has been a good day.  

Had a great time with the Lord.

Proverbs 12:11

 

And I took that to mean IF I plan and stay focused on making healthy choices the outcome will be good.  BUT if I do whatever, I will stay the same and in this case that would be overweight and unhealthy.

Commitment is required to Accomplish my goal!!

And then I read in my devotion:

God's economy is germination, then cultivation, then the harvest.

Translated:  Plan healthy eating and activities then eat those healthy meals and get moving ~ physically  THEN I will see the outcome of a healthy mind, body and spirit.

And then Matthew 21:20-22

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree

And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Wow!!  I have forgotten the most important person in this journey to get healthy: JESUS!  

To actively seek and include Jesus in this daily walk.

Just as they say in AA/OA:  I am an over eater and I can't do this journey alone.  

I need to and must include Him!!!!

Proverbs 10:4 

 

IF I don't stay focused I will fail.  By staying focused I will see results.

Proverbs 10:17 

 

Keep learning & working towards the goal and the rewards will come.

IF I ignore what is right I will make wrong choices.

Proverbs 10:25

 

When things (life) gets crazy and I lose sight of the prize I lose.  

BUT if in the chaos of life I use the tools and knowledge that I have,

everything in the long run will have a positive outcome. 

Proverbs 10:29

 

Following Jesus is what gives me strength.

When I take my eyes and focus off of Him everything falls apart.

WOW, Wow is all I can say.

Thank you Lord for just saying it like it is and in a way I understand.

I need to stop running and searching for quick answers and others to do the work for me.

I need to slow down, do what I know, one step at a time.

Do you always hear when God talks to you?

How does He speak to you?

And more importantly do you listen?

Thank you Lord for never giving up on me and making every day a new day!!!

 

It's Wednesday

 

Thought I should pop in and say hi!

HI!!

Today has probably been one of the most laziest days I have had in who knows how long.

Slept in till 9 a.m.  

Hubby got up at 10 a.m.

Hubby made lunch at 12:30 p.m

It is now 5:30 p.m. and I should think about something for dinner.

I would love to go out to eat but that would necessitate taking a shower, 

getting dressed and driving somewhere.

And here I sit in the corner of my couch,

playing on the computer,

reading Facebook,

talking my sweet hubby,

watching the verdict come down in the Jodi Arias trial,

thinking back to when I was on a jury in 1992

and how stressed and exhausting the day was after our verdict was read in court,

checking emails,

talking to a friend in Branson,

asking God for guidance about a possible decision regarding work for us,

enjoying the quiet of the day except for when we heard a truck tire blow on the freeway behind us,

talking to my sweet hubby,

writing a few emails,

reading Facebook

etc., etc., etc.

How has your day been?

Monday's Meanderings

 

A New Day!  Where will it lead me?

Had a rough start to my morning as it actually began right at midnight when I woke very confused and unable to see clearly.  Stumbled my way to the bathroom, yelled out for hubby that I needed help.  Tested my Blood Sugar (BS), yes I am a diabetic and have been since 1995, and usually don't have the problems I have been since arriving here in Liberty, KS.  BS was 44  !! Way, way too low.  Should be in the 75-90 range.  Hubby got me a can of pineapple juice (we keep them on hand just for these occasions) and 3 miniature peanut butter cups (pbcups) (doctor told us to always keep some on hand for such an emergency as the peanut butter is protein and chocolate is sugar and they melt under your tongue when you are in no shape to eat them).  Hubby helped me to get the can to my lips and broke up the pbcups and put them under my tongue.  15 minutes later checked my BS again, only up to 50...3 more pbcups and another 15 minutes and it was up to 88...whew...what a way to start a day.

I called the doctor this morning, spoke with the nurse.  She is going to talk to the doctor and one of them will call me back with what I need to do.  We know what the problem is -- with hubby's new schedule (Sat. to Tues.) we are up at 5, eat about 5:30, hubby goes to work around 6:10, I eat a morning snack, lunch (today was my Beachbody Strawberry Protein Shake = Yummy!) maybe have something in the afternoon and then have dinner with hubby between 5:30 and 6, go to bed between 8:30 & 9, which is when I take my nighttime meds...all this being between my dinner time medication and night time meds I am getting too much of something and then go quite a bit of time (8 to 10 hours) without eating makes my BS whacky.  Will be glad to talk with them later today.

Started our day by weighing...Ron is down 1.6 lbs in one week and I was down 3.6 lbs for an overall total loss of 19.4 lbs since August 1, 2011.  I am once again really focusing on what we are eating and eating healthier.  I am using many tools: Dr. Becks Solution to Weight Loss Workbook, myfitnesspal.com (you can find me there under ali1357), support from family and friends and participating in closed group on Facebook called Getting Healthy One Day at a Time.

My quiet time was quite interesting this morning and began with John 8:11.

 

 Had a rough weekend with emotions, things being said, hurting someone dear to me, seeking and receiving forgiveness, swallowed my foot up to my knee cap and then read about the adulterous woman and how some wanted to stone her to death.  And Jesus telling those around her go ahead and you that are without sin may cast the first stone.  And no one did, in fact they all slunk away leaving the woman alone with Jesus and he saying to her "Go and sin no more."   Wow, just what I needed this morning a reminder that yep, I screwed up, learn from this mistake and don't do it again.

And then I started thinking about my dieting/losing weight/getting healthy ~ have to come up with a good word instead of dieting - that just sounds so defeating, missing out of good things...getting healthy sounds so formal...any ideas or suggestions?

And then I read from my Women of Faith study.  The month of May is on Faith! And this is the scripture being discussed today:

 

And then 

Wow!!!

One of my biggest battles is with Food!!!  I love to eat.  I like a good candy bar: 3 Muskateers or a Butterfinger any day ~ Yummy!!!  Cake, not just any piece of cake but a corner piece with lots of frosting and oh, if there is a rose on top ~ that's even better.  And its not just sweets, cheesy potato casserole, pasta with alfredo sauce, warm bread with lots of butter right out of the oven ~ yummy, Yummy, YUMMY!!!

BUT I am reminded this is not just my battle.  God is with me and will help me with this battle.  I need to do what I know and need to do: portion control, get some exercise every day, eat healthy: low carbs, cut out all the refined sugar, keep track of what I eat ~ definitely makes it more real to actually see what I have eaten, how many calories, how many grams of sugar ~ way too many, not enough protein, not enough green vegetables...yes those are things I know and things I need and CAN do to get healthy!!!

AND Jesus says for us to share our struggles/battles with those who will pray for and encourage us.  That is what my Getting Healthy group does.  And my bestie and other friends who know I struggle with this issue and that I really need to get this eating thing under control.  AND I am to go to HIM ~ just lay it on the line with Him.  He has broad shoulders and can handle any issue I have.  He always has and will never fail me...he never has yet so why would He start now - he wouldn't.

And then the devotion ended with a quote from Barbara Johnson  "God has to be the One who brings changes in any of our lives.  Condemnation won't work, it has to be convicted by God."   This was part of my struggle this weekend, feeling like me and a friend were being chastised, ridiculed and told we weren't worth any thing because we "didn't just pick a plan and stick with it" ~ wait what about Grace?  And then I was reminded by God this morning this is not Ali's battle this is God's battle and He can help me get through the rough days when all I want to do is stuff my face and lay in bed and read.  I have to be willing and listen to Him and those who I have asked to be on my accountability team.  I have to do what is right, eat what is healthy, make healthy choices and remember to take one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, remembering I didn't become 100 lbs overweight overnight and I won't lose the weight overnight but one day at a time!

And in closing my devotional time I have started a new Bible study called Hello Mornings - you can learn all about the study by clicking the badge on the side of my blog.  It is a study of Meet Jesus, studying the Book of John.  And right there at the beginning it says

 

And ends with 

 

In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God 

and ends with

the Father Full of GRACE and TRUTH.

Thank you Lord for all your reminders this morning.  I am hearing You loud and clear, we all make mistakes and it is what we do with those mistakes, hopefully learning from them and not repeating them.  And that You are all I need in this world, You will help me walk this walk and talk this talk of living for You and when I do mess up, Your GRACE is sufficient for me and the TRUTH will always come out.  Thank you for loving me Lord.  I am glad to be one of your daughters, a daughter of the King.  Amen!!

Stumbling through Saturday

 

 

Saturday Morning and I am barely moving.  I have been pretty quiet the last day and a half or so as I have not been feeling well.  And this morning I feel like I am just stumbling to make my way.  Was up at 5:00, made hubby breakfast of a bagel and banana and then got his lunch together.  Today is his first full day of work, a 10 hour shift at Amazon.  I pray for strength for him as he begins his first long day at Amazon.

As I stumbled through my time with the Lord this morning I am reminded He only asks us for obedience to him, to walk one foot in front of the other, keeping our focus on Him and Him alone.

 

In Joshua 6:16 we are told by Joshua, commanded by God to SHOUT for the Lord as he has given you the city...I find myself asking "Do I SHOUT out my blessings from the Lord?  Do I SHOUT out His wonderful mercies?  Or do I sit and keep them quietly inside only shouting about the hard stuff, the negative stuff or some stupid irritation I feel for someone else?

Lord help me to SHOUT out my blessings ~

   ~ Thank You Lord I was able to get about six hours of sleep last night without the ickyness of acid reflux!

   ~ Thank you Lord for Ron's job!!!

   ~ Thank you Lord for the days off we had together!!!  For the beautiful scenery of Oklahoma and Kansas that we have seen over the past three days!!!

   ~  Thank you Lord for the nudging on how we can serve others.  I ask Lord that you help us as we get the ball rolling on a specific plan to serve others.

   ~ Lord Thank You for the blessing of getting to know Jesse, Ryan & Malachi and for the opportunity to share You with Malachi and take him to church to learn more about You!!!

Lord I ask that you be with Tina and her parents as her dad was taken to the hospital last night.  Give the doctor's wisdom in treating his breathlessness.  giver her and her parents peace in this time of uncertainty.

Lord thank you for this new day.  A day to step out and start a fresh with you.  Help me to make healthy choices pertaining to the foods I eat.  Help me to do the things I do today with a cheerful heart.

Thank you for loving me, my family and friends.  Be with family as they are spread far and wide.  Thank you for the fun long conversation with Aunt Erma yesterday morning.  Help me to remember to contact them and not her always having to call me.

Love you Lord!!  So glad I am a part of your family!!!  Amen

Do you SHOUT out about your blessings or do you keep them quiet, hesitant to share?

Thursday Thoughts ~

Woke to a windy and cold day here in Liberty, KS.  And they are forecasting possible snow tonight and here I thought we were in May, Springtime and Warmth ~ hopefully it will return on Saturday as they are forecasting...I definitely am a fair weather girl ~ give me warmth and give me sunshine.

Have you ever wondered What If?

Today I have been thinking ~ What IF my parents had never divorced ~ today would have been their 60th Wedding Anniversary ~ wow, wouldn't that have been amazing.  Ron and I have been married 37 years and so often we here Wow, that's a long time!  I can get so wrapped up in the What If game ~ IF my parents had not been divorced, would we have moved as often as we did when I was a kid?  IF my parents had not divorced I would not have been sexually abused for almost six months by a step-father who only thought of himself; IF my parents had not divorced would I have met Ron?  IF my parents hadn't divorced what would my children be like and who would they be?  

And then I am reminded of my devotion yesterday of not to worry about yesterday as it has passed but give thanks for today and how God has provided for me every day of my life.

Today I have been reminded from scripture in Psalm 121:4

 that God never slumbers nor does he sleep.  He is always awake, always there for me and has always been with me and will always be with me.  He knows the plans He as for me.  And even though I didn't have the perfect childhood, with perfect parents who were only married to each other I had the childhood that has led me to being the person who I am ~ a wife, mom and grammy who loves to share the Lord with those who I come into contact with.  I have faced many giants, climbed from the deep valleys up to the mountain tops and all the while God has been with me.  He has protected me from my own negative thoughts and behaviors, he has given grace and protected my children when I was struggling as a parent, he has strengthened my marriage when I thought it was over or going to die.  We have celebrated on the mountain tops healing from major depression, the scary times of illness and the celebration of healing and protectiveness.  He has comforted me when I feared the worst for our son, Jamie as he lived and worked in Iraq for a year.  He has protected our sons as they made decisions that would have impacted our lives in a harsh way.  I am so thankful HE never sleeps or slumbers.

From my Daily Guidepost devotion I was reminded that "long-distance parenting requires different skills and methods. That how we stayed close in the past matters less than finding ways to grow close in the future."

As I have been working on a project for Ron's siblings and our children I have been reminded of ways I have treated others in my past and how I want things to be different in certain relationships today and in the future.  I am reminded to extend more grace, ask for forgiveness from pasts actions and words I have spoken and to give glory to God for his everlasting love and the grace he gives to me.

As I continue to build my relationship with the Lord  I am reminded again about God's Wisdom in

 

 Proverbs 2: 20-22

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.

For the upright will live in the land,
    and the blameless will remain in it; 

 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
    and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

I am reminded that by keeping in God's Word by reading it and absorbing it and learning from it I can stay on the right path ~ living my life in love and to bring glory to God

And to keep my faith in Him strong.  In Gen. 22:1-18 we find where Abraham has been called by God to bring his son, Isaac as a sacrifice to Him.  I am sure in his humanness Abraham had to wonder what was God thinking, use my son as a sacrifice but in FAITH he did as God commanded and TRUSTED God knew what he was doing ~ isn't that a good thing that in our way of thinking things don't always make sense but GOD always knows what He is doing.

But Abraham kept his faith and the angel came to him and God provided the sacrifice of the ram in the bushes.

Lord I pray that my faith will be strong at all times and in those times that I stumble and fall that my faith, small as a mustard seed, will be enough and that You will continue to be by my side and that you will never sleep or slumber and that you will always be with me.

So do you fall into the pit of What IF?  And if so, how do you get back out of it?

P.S.  Thank you Miss D for letting me know of the OOPS in the first part of my blog.  Love you Sis!!

Wednesday Wanderings

 

What a day it has been already!

 

My morning started at 5:20 a.m. when I woke up with sweat and hot flashes abounding.  Stood up and was a little dizzy so carefully made my way to the bathroom.  Checked my blood sugar ~ it was 59 again!!!  Made my way to fridge and grabbed a 6 oz can of pineapple juice and 3 miniature Reese's PBCups.  I felt like I couldn't drink or eat fast enough.  Opened a 4 oz juice box (it tasted nasty so those will be going to little Malachi - the neighbor boy here in the campground), 3 more PBCups and 5 Cherry Jelly Hearts (I know - stop by the candy!!!)  I started feeling better and went back to sleep about 6:40 a.m.  Slept till 9:57 and woke up feeling so much better.  I logged my early morning "breakfast" and now have 1200 calories left for the day ~ my choice is going to be healthy calories, well that is my plan.

Once I was up and ready to go for the day I went for a 1/2 mile walk with hubby.  He wants to walk every day, even on his days off to keep himself limber for work.  Today is day one of his three days off.  I want to get up to where I am walking 2 miles a day or 30 minutes of exercise...I have the Wii Sports, Country Music Dance, a walking video and Biggest Loser so I have the tools JUST need to use them.

 

After our walk hubby worked on some stuff outside the rig and I had my quiet time.  I had to chuckle when I was all done reminding myself God has a sense of humor and knows what I need each day.  Can you see why I was chuckling?

My devotion from The Sanctuary by David Jermiah

Hebrews 13:5

 

And then

 Psalm 143: 5-8

I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.

I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land. 

 Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.

God was the same yesterday, just like he is today and will be tomorrow.

Because He provided yesterday I have no reason to fear today

And I am not to worry about tomorrow.

I guess the Lord really wants me to remember

He will NEVER leave me NOR forsake me!

As my bestie reminds me quite often "He hasn't failed you yet!"

One of my personal goals this year, like I have mentioned before is to get healthy!!!  Not just lose weight but to GET HEALTHY!  To be healthy physically, emotionally & spiritually.

Today in Proverbs 1:1-7

(from The Message)

A Manual for Living

These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
    David’s son, Israel’s king—
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
    to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living,
    for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
    and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
    still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
    the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
    only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

7B is what really jumped out at me "only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning" ~ WOW if that doesn't say it like it is I don't know what does.  God's Word is filled with wisdom -  we, No, I need to pay attention to this.  What a powerful reminder to be in the Lord's Word every day.  

Lord I come to you this morning thanking you for your Word, for telling me to remember the past where you have never let me down and you have always provided for me.  You are my loving Abba and I am so thankful you are my Daddy.

Thank you for sense of humor in showing me not once but twice to remember no matter what You will always be will me.

Lord I lift up Sharon to you today as she got the diagnosis of cancer in her rib.  Lord I thank you that the cause of her pain has been found and it can be treated.  I pray for the doctor's as they put together the right treatment plan, I pray for Sharon to be strong not just physically but emotionally and keep her faith in you always.  Thank you Lord that she believes and trusts in you.

Lord be with our family and friends in whatever they may face today.  Thank you that today is a new day - a day to do things differently today that we might have needed to do yesterday.    Amen.