The Ride

I think I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I received a new bike for Christmas. When I asked for it, both my mom and dad looked at me as if I were crazy, but I really wanted one so it went on my list. My justification at the time was that we lived on a very busy street and my two children were ALWAYS begging to ride around the block. That made me extremely nervous. When I was their age, I was gone for hours at the time in the neighborhood and in the woods, but times are so different now. I like to be able to look out the window and see my babies. Since I was really nervous about it, I would never let them go unless they were in a pack of 3 or 4 children and not just 2. I guess that just made me feel safer but not completely. That is when I decided that I would get a bike and ride with them.

Christmas came and upon walking into mom and dad's it was immediately know that my request had been accepted. My bike was wrapped in a big Christmas "trash bag". I was so excited. We took it home and Doug immediately adjusted the handlebars and the seat for me. I couldn't wait to ride it but it was dark and cold. Well, it has remained cold and I have really not had the chance to take the kids on a bike ride yet...until last night.

When did it become so painful to ride a bike? Now I know that it has been years since I have flown through my grandparent's yard on my bright blue Good Vibrations bicycle, but has it really been that long? Am I really that out of shape? My knees were in pain. My calves were screaming at me. What in the world was I thinking. Emily and Chandler were flying past me, standing up peddling and swerving all over the road. I was scared to death. People would drive by us and wave, but I couldn't wave back. If I even thought about lifting my arm, I felt like I was gonna fall right over! By the time we got home, 15 minutes later, I was out of breath, my legs were numb, and my hinney, oh my hinney...there are no words!

Since my diet began 3 weeks ago, I have been exercising on the Wii Fit and walking a little bit. The exercise has slowed lately due to sickness and just the fact that I tend to be a little lazy, but now I am even more determined!!! I am going to master this bike! I am gonna show it who's boss and I am not going to let it defeat me. I will ride for longer than 15 minutes without feeling like dying once I hit the driveway. Lance Armstrong, watch out!!!!

Diet Soda Cake - my new low point friend!!!!

Ok, so I love browsing the WW message boards. One of my favorites is the Recipe Review board. I love to cook (I know that's hard to believe) and have got many great ideas from WW members all over the world. It is so amazing how people from all over the country cook. Like, what in the world is quinoa? It is a big thing apparently!

While browsing the Recipe board today, I found a low point dessert that many people were just raving over and I thought I would share. It is called Diet Soda Cake. Very easy to make. My family gave it a 2 thumbs up tonight. There are many variations, so just pick and choose your favorite mix and drink and get to baking!

Diet Soda Cake

1 box cake mix (any kind)
1 can diet soda (any kind)
1 small box sugar free/fat free pudding (any kind)
2 egg whites
light cool whip

Put all ingredients in your mixer and mix/bake according to the box directions.

Let cool and top with a dollop of cool whip. You can also take another box of pudding and mix with the cool whip for added flavor.

Tonight I used a german chocolate mix with Cherry Coke Zero. You do not have to use the pudding in the mix but many said it made it more moist. I used chocolate.

This is a 4 point dessert!

1st Weigh In Day

Today was my first weigh in day! I never wake up early on Saturdays. I absolutely refuse to get out of bed before nine, but this morning was different. I was so excited, I woke up at 7:45 to hit the scale and see my first results. I was nervous. The week has been fairly easy. Have I been hungry? Yes, to the point of tears, but that was my fault, I should not have waited until 8:30 to cook dinner Wednesday night. That will never happen again!!!! I have to learn to plan ahead. Since I am in class on Monday and Wednesday night, the crock pot is going to be my new best friend, so if you have a good recipe, please send it to me.

Counting my points has not been difficult either. I even got to eat chicken fried chicken and hash brown casserole at Cracker Barrel last night. I have learned how to budget my points. In the WW plan, you get so many points per day and then you get almost a whole day of points extra to spread out through the week. If you save those extra points, you will most likely lose more, but they are there to splurge with. You can truly eat anything you want, you just have to learn to budget and decide what you really want to use those points for.

So, what did I lose this week? 7 Pounds! I am so excited. This hasn't been a full week, I started Tuesday, but I choose Saturday as my weigh in day. I thought if I planted it slap dab in the middle of the weekend, I would be less likely to REALLY mess up. I was worried that this was a little to easy and that a couple of days I might have miscalculated even though I measured and counted twice, but I think this week has proven to me that I CAN do this. Thanks for all the encouragement! I means the world to me!!

I'm Losing It!

When I first set out to blog, I thought I would just randomly post whatever came to mind. I have done that, but very sporadically. I love to write and thought I might have something to say, but am never at the computer when the idea hits, and by the time I get to the computer, I have forgotten everything I was going to write. Forgive me, I am getting older and I do have 2 young children...is that a good enough excuse? In the past week, I have set out on a new path. I have a new goal and I plan on sharing it with my friends, family and anyone who cares or needs a bit of encouragement. I want to encourage, but I also want encouragement.

As most of my friends and family know, I LOVE FACEBOOK! I check it morning and night. I love reading what people have to say and I love looking at everyone's pictures. Every once in a while a post will really stick with me. It may be funny or cute, political or religious, sad or just something that tugs at my heart strings. Well, earlier this week, one of my FB friends inspired me. She is going about it a little differently than I am, but we both have the same goal...TO LOSE IT! Lose what you say...WEIGHT, FAT, BLUBBER, whatever you want to call it! So, from now on, this blog is not just about Hope, but about LOSS...weight loss.

If you have known me for years, you know that I have NOT always looked like I do now. I was never skinny, but was ALOT thinner. I will never be 120 pounds, my big bones probably weigh that much, but I would love to weigh a lot less than I do. Take the journey with me if you wish, I would love to encourage you. Sit back and watch me, keep me on task or an encouraging word would be greatly appreciated. Share advice or silly "chunky girl" stories. I have many to tell. I will share things that I experience, the good and the bad. Now, I will not post my weight. I will post how much I have lost and maybe, just maybe, if I stick this out and get close to my goal, I will give up the starting weight. We will see!

Let me give you the details: I am following the Weight Watcher's plan and am counting points. I am not attending meetings, but have joined online. I figured if I was paying, then I would be more apt to stick to it. I am exercising. I am not doing The Biggest Loser type, run till you puke, exercises. I have a Wii Fit Plus that I am using. I LOVE IT! I am also walking and riding my new bicycle (thanks Mom and Dad)! If I come across something wonderful like a recipe or weight loss gadget, I will share and please share with me. This is going to be challenging, but I am going to try to make it fun!

So here we go!!! I"M LOSING IT!!!!

Me in 1995



Me Now

Shortcut Cookie Cookbook Giveaway!

Go to my favorite recipe blog: http://picky-palate.com/ and register for the Shortcut Cookie Cookbook giveaway! Register to win a cookbook and browse the blog for some great recipes!!! Camilla Saulsbury was the winner of Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown Best Cookie!