Here we are in 2023

 It has been a while. life has been up and down... i am still loosing and gaining weight.. 

Been walking more and moving all the time

Have changed the way I eat. More aware of the Sugar and Salt intake. making my own bread and bake good. Eating less out, While trying to support my Families likes. Yeah it is hard sometimes but It Can Be Done. Just talking to them and explaining how certain activities case you to back track or how it makes my body feel. That really helps and I also do not feel guilty to just wag out and stay Home.

WELL THIS IS TIME TELLING......

 Last year I started a Dirty Keto Plan. It has been and up and down weight issue with me. It did get down to 158 earlier this year. However I am now back up to 164.  At a stand still now. Found out that eating out was not a good thing for me. They like to put sugar in everything you order. Even if I think it is a good  choice I can taste the sweetness. One thing I learn in doing the Keto is that Cheese and Gluten are my nemesis. Too much of the cheese is not good. The gluten just makes me feel bloated, plus I look it. When I stay on the Gluten free and eat less Cheese items the pounds fall off.

Therefore, now I am going to work out more and be really mindful of my food  choices. Cooking at home more and when on Vacation watching what I order. Plus taking more Carb Blockers when eating out on Vacation.  Also making sure I can exercise more on vacations. I found that helps a lot on the weight control. Especially when you need to eat out.

I am going on vacation for 3 weeks in the next few months. So, I will have to bring snacks I know I can have. Think I will make some to take with me. Look for the recipes on my Kitchen site. Plus  follow the vacation time on my Travel blogs. Links are on the side bar.

Keto Life and weight lost

I have been keto for some time. Started by just watching my carb in take and increasing my protein intake. Then found out it was hard to stay in the ketosis state. Researching I found there was a easy way to stay in Ketosis. It started drinking coffee with a keto cream product. Not a fan of Powder creamers however, this one was really good. Then I started drinking a keto drink at midday, To help me stay in the Ketosis state. Decided to a eliminate sugars and flour ( gluten products). Started taking MCT oil. I have really notice a change, Memory is better as well as I have more energy. I am now losing pounds again and sleeping much better at night. Will stay on this life changing path because I really do feel better.

Doing Well even With the Quarantine.

Have been able to maintain the weight loss through our Quarantine time. On thing that I think helps is preparing our on food. Eating out can add a lot more calories to ones daily intake. Ordering  Delivery can also do that. Therefore We have been  cooking at home. I have also been trying to look into Keto and Paleo diets.  Reading up on them. Plus I have been watching our carbs and sweets.

I am big on Sweets. That is one of my weaknesses. Learning to make sweets with very little refine sugars has been fun. today I made some Fudge Sickles . Love them in this heat they are a delight. One can also use things like Puff pastry for sweet treats. They had less carbs then Baked goods.

Tried some Gluten Free breads. Not a fan. Too many Nuts and the taste is just not  appealing to me. However I have been using Lower Carb flours and liking them. I will stay with Sourdough bread since they are less in Sugar and carbs. Eating less breads and more protein meals.

 I am mostly doing a Paleo/Keto diet. Trying to do more outdoor activities for exercise.

 still working on loosing 10 more pound. !0 at a time and then maintain for a few month and start again. That pattern is a good one for me. Allowing me to  plateau  and then start loosing again.

Time for an update: It is a New Decade, changes will happen

So here we are 2020. It just is so strange to type that. A lot has happened in the last decade in this family. The passing of both my parents, a grandparent, Two Aunts and a brother . Some Friends our age and younger. All these can contribute to Weight changes.

Death can make one eat more comfort foods as well as indulged  in things not health worthy.

Even through all the family changes the weight was well with in control. Gaining and loosing was an ongoing thing.

Today my weight is about 160. My BS was high and BP was high. there were a few changes made. These change help the BS and Bp  numbers to go down. I started to take Physio Omego with DPA/DHA/EPA. Been on it for about  two month now. I have seen a difference in my numbers. also have been drinking 120 LIFE. That has really made a difference in my  Numbers across the board.

I have recently added Turmeric Curcumin to supplements. It will take time to see if that helps also.

When we went to Vegas I notice that my BS and BP was well in control. Walked a lot and eat healthy fresh food. I did eat a lot and had dessert once in a while and still my Number were good. That tells me exercise will be important.

Hubby is retiring  this month we plan on walking more and traveling more. Learning how to eat  out  and still maintain the weight is crucial to us. We plan on changing our diets to a Keto friendly one. thinking that will help in this process.

With our health issues the Keto changes should establish our Numbers. Help to kick start our bodies to manage our food intake. Will be coming back to give you a monthly update on our process. Want to lose at least 10 more pounds in this year.

Update: Looking Up!!

Now I am down to  about 20 lbs since August. Feeling very good. I stated in September with a new weight loss program. Read a lot of Books on Healthy living and getting fit. the one that impressed me the most was to control the amount of food  we eat at a sitting.

I cut back the amount of food I ate by 1/2 and on the 5 day I increased my serving a little to keep from plateauing. Still continued my daily activities, doing nothing different. At least not yet.

We went on Vacation to Florida for a week in October and I managed to eat out and gained only a couple pounds. Which came off fast once back at home. This Program I am following is really good for me.  I enjoyed the vacation and did not have any guilt in eating stuff. I did walk and swim a lot.  That helped in the extra calorie intake.

I have meet my  previous goal. So, now I am setting another one. 10  pounds by January. At the point I will be closer to my ideal weight. I really think this is doable. Even with the holidays. One thing To remember is enjoy the holiday food in moderationo.  Here a photo of now. I will look for one of before. I tend to not like photos of me.

 Now.

Time to Think about It -- On the Track Again!

 With a wedding in the near future, the illnesses in the Family, Managing my fathers diabetes and the overall health for family members, it is... Time to Think About It!

This is a Bell from my Parents house. It hangs on the large tree in the back yard. I have been staying there off and on for over two years now. two week there and two week at our home. That has cause so much stress. Eating out and Stress eating was doing me in.

My father is a Stroke Victim  as well as has diabetes. Trying to gets his number under control as well as decrease the chance of another stroke has been my only goal.  That put the me on the back burner.

I decided, after my daughter told me she wanted to get married next May, it was time to look at me and my health! So, I began to pay attention to how I Eat. I knew I got enough Exercise it was just the comfort food. Dad wanted Sweets and hubby wanted high fat things (Pizza) and to eat out all the time. How was I going to change when I have these obstacles?

One thing I decided to do was put my foot down and just say NO. Yes it was hard, my answer would be I have food to prepare here, or we do not have the money, need to save money or I really do not want pizza again! Then I starting saying " I really am trying to loose weight and so I can not eat Pizza or out, cause I tend to overeat". Folks That Worked! They  started to support me.

My Dads A1C went down to 6.1 and I stated to lose weight. I am down to 161 now and still losing. Started to cook more and create Recipes that are lower in calories, and fat. You can see some of those on my Kitchen site. Feeling a lot better, dressing better, got some new clothes that fit and are not baggy/ oversized. I even have those sweets on occasions.

The key is to eat half as much as you would have before. do this 4 to 5 days, than on the 6th day, eat a little more. By doing this year body does not go into a fat saving mode and you do not plateau. I know this. The other day hubby wanted donuts, Yeah I know a weakness for us all. We got some and Yeah I indulged. But it was on my 6th day. I didn't gain any weight  and in two day I dropped 2 more pounds.  I would suggest doing this all the time, but once in a blue moon is okay.

Still doing well and plan on dropping 10 more before Janurary. I think I can do that.

My Update on Health Plans

Here I am again. If you follow me you know I have had several things happened in the family. Daughter is off to college and in her final year. Hubby has had several health issues. Dad had had Several medical issues and now lives  with us.We had a flood in the basement. Which caused a complete reconstruction of the basement offices and rooms.

Not to say my weight has been up and down. I think I am still in the same place I was a few years ago. Haven't done much lately. However I am on the rise of returning to the walking and exercising with the wii.

My Dad has Diabetes therefore, I am learning to cook and eat differently. Being very portions conscience. Trying to eat less every meal. I am thinking this will help me to maintain a healthy non Diabetes  body.

I will try to update you on the progress. My wieght is still at 175. I hope to get it down to 160.

WOW...It's been so long......

I guess I took a break.... Not that I meant to. It seems my life had be put on hold. My last post being in 2013. almost a year ago. Well you see, since then my world has been turn upside down and sideways. Hubby has had an accident which resulted in lost of memory, surgery which turned out to be more than expected. Daughter is off to college and growing up too fast. We had he Deaths in the family and friends. Storms unheard of... a deep freeze in the mid east!! Critters that do not belong in our neighborhood . Marriages friends and family. It has just been nonstop!! Saying that the exercise and posting has be on hold.

I am now back on the wagon, per-say. Starting to get back in a routine. I really have not gain or loss in this time. However I think that I am healthier. Have made some changes. No more artificial things. no sweeteners, soda with preservatives or food ready made. Been making things from stretch and  read all the labels.  My goal is to get down to 140 lbs. and have a healthy blood work totals. cholesterol, sugar levels and anything else. Really sure these thing can be achieved.

So today I weigh 176 and wear a size 14-16, that's a large. Would love to wear a size 10 -12, medium. since I am 59 that is a reasonable goal. Pretty sure this can be done by the winter. So we are talking about 6 months. That turns out to be 6 pound per month. Not too hard to do and just think by that time all my not so good habits will be controlled.

they say that it takes six months to completely change a habit. I believe that. When I started out on the  Sensa it took that long to stop drinking soda and sweeteners. Not I have no desire for those items. Even a cinnamon bun, which i have always  love,   it too sweet for me and just does not taste good. Therefore I know that statement is right.

No longer on the Sensa Program. Felt that it just wasn't right for me. once I stopped I gained weight back.  So, a program that uses products to loose is not a choice I am seeking. I purchase to books; the Dash Diet and Shred. Both of these seem to be on the same note. Changing the food intake and looking at different ways to exercise.

Now that I have posted my goals it is time to reawaken this site to lets  get going.  so here it goes

 It will be Fess up Fridays! posting every Friday on the progress.. good or not so... either way posting it make me accountable. So if you want to join in, come along.

Spring Into A New You

Spring is here time for a fresh start. I did fairly well over the winter. Maintained my weight  and managed to lose some inches. Decided to make a few changes for this spring and summer. The changes should help me to continue to get health and fit.

One thing decided is to move all the health equipment to the Solarium. Having it in there will help to keep it in my face as a reminder... "I am here for you , get on me today". Want to set a day once a week to do the Wii or Xbox. that way I can look forward to a break for some fun exercise.
Another thing is to keep a healthier mind of food. I am going to go back on the Sensa program as well as the Spark group. Thinking that those tools will help me stay on track.

As for the pool, we had to take it down. Hubby somehow contracted a rare Bacteria infection from that area. So we will not be putting it back up until we can found a fix for the area. However the hot tub will be opened.

Walking will be on my list of activity as well as yard work. I like working outdoors. It should help with the burning of calories.

My goal is to lose 10 pounds during the next four months and to maintain the weight lose. I have maintain the 15 pound loss for a long time. So each step is a trial of change in lifes' walk. Sensa has helped with the cravings and changed my thoughts on certain foods.  Stopping all artificial sweeteners have help my sweet tooth.  As well as help with the cravings as sweet things. My taste buds have really changed. Soda removal has also made a difference. I do once in a while have a soda, but find myself my finishing it.

I started taking raspberry ketones daily, 1200 mg. That has help with my middle section. Stopped it for a while and notice the increase coming back, so I started it back up. It really does work for me.

I am starting to incorporate some new vitamins and minerals. Hoping that they will help in my metabolism. At 58 I need to find way to increase it, that will help in the weight loss journey.

October's update

Well I am still hovering around the 166-168 range. I it so hard to lose those pounds. Was hoping to see a downward spiral. Just not happening here. Think it is time to start the Wii up again. We have a couple of programs to use. I also have a stepper, palates bench and a treadmill. Perhaps I need to move some of them up to the main floor. That way I can use them while a watch TV. The only things is I am a morning person, meaning that if I do not do it in the morning than I tend not to get to it. Yeah that my problem! There you have it. Walking or any outside thing has to be finished by noon for me.
I will make a pledge to start this routine of stair stepping and Wii in the mornings. I think I will go back to logging the time here. Making it a daily routine.

 As for the food issue... Still on the Sensa plan for at least 6 more months and I will be adding a portion control tool. With the holiday season coming up I really need to make some progress. Also I want to eat all my holiday favorites. That allows me not to feel deprived, which causes the over eating. If I know that I can have some more on another day, that should allow me to stick with the potion control.

Well I turned one year older this month. The years are flying by so, I need to really make some serious progress to this journey. Turning back the age clock is not as easy at my age. However it can be done! Determination is the turning key. Now I need to find that key.

A Slow Loss and Time for a Change

Well It has been a while since I blogged an update. I am down to 166 now. It seems that the Sensa works for the Cravings but not too well on the weight loss. It has been a Slow Loss and on top of that a YoYo effect seemed to be the norm for me. I will continue the sensa until it is gone. however I am moving on to a different life long plan.

Now that I seem to have the cravings licked, the next thing is to add a daily exercise plan. My goal is to lose 14 to 16 more pounds. That will put me at a healthier BMI number. I think I can do this.

To give me a sense of what has happened in the 18 months of Sensa. I started out at 189 pounds. Got down to about 168, then back up to 172, then back to 168 and up to 175, back to 170 and then up and down. Mostly 2 pounds difference each way. Now that I am down to 166, I think I have broke the stalemate number.

Now my feeling on the Sensa plan is that it did help with the ability to control the binging. As well as  the will to say no to the weakness in sweets and high Carb loaded items.

So let look at my progress. I have lost more than 40 pound even though it was an up and down journey. Able to control my craving and no more binging. Starting to eat less at a sitting. Learned what a proper  portion is and able to stop  and feel when I am full.

Now I just need to maintain my steadying weight fall. Watch my portions and listen to my body. Make good choices and remember "It is not the last time I will have this food". I  can have a little now and then some later on a different day. Calories are a big deal. So that mean eating out needs to be choosing Lower calorie food and only eat half of it. I can do this.

Sensa has given me a boost and allowed me to have the knowledge that it can be done. I am glad I did the program for this time. However I  do not think it is good to continue it pass the 2 years mark. Especially if I want to keep the weight off. I have enough to continue for a few more months. Therefore for I will continue, with the new program  of exercise.

Updating my progress.

Well, here we are in the middle of spring. Have been up and down however I am down to 168 pounds again. Although it seems that I am loosing inches. My clothes are getting looser and I am losing inches. So I will not be discouraged about the scale weight. Sensa is still the program I am on.  As well as taking Raspberry Keytones, 1000 mg per day. It seems to be working with the midriff section. I am loosing inches, they are just falling off.

I was looking for something to return my Metabolism to my younger years. Going to start using some teas to help out with that. Will keep you informed on how that works.

Been reading a book called WheatBelly by Davis. It is a very interesting read. Learning a lot about the food we eat and how it effect our health. I will be writing a review on it soon, on my Review site.

The New weight program is here.

I think I will send it back. After getting it and reading though it, I found nothing worth spending $$ for. Hubby does not seems to be gun-hoe for it. I also noticed that they are using the Adkins type plan. This uses Sugar substitutes and low carbs.
Now one problem with that plan, for me , is GAS and a Bloating feeling. Then after you get down to your desired weight, Gaining it back is too great a problem. It didn't seem to change ones eating habits. Not like the Sensa has. I know this because I have done the Adkins plan and lost 40 pound just to gain it back with a year. I was away hungry and really missed my craving/comfort food.

I will stay on the Sensa plan, because it is working for me. Slow by steady. That's the way is should be. This way I am slowly changing the way I eat and most of all the Cravings are under control. I am also learning how to cook the comfort foods healthier. I post most of them on my Kitchen site.

For a while I cut down the meats and found that I was more hungrier. So I added them back. I just reduce the amount. It will probably take me awhile to find out that balance.
The family wants the meat also. I try to mix it up. Using chicken, turkey, pork, beef, bison , lamb and fish. Made a great Pistachio Crusted Salmon. I will post the recipe on the kitchen site later. Today will be a chicken mushroom stew.

I think starting a weekly menu will be a great thing to do. Will need to work on that. Maybe if I laid out the menu the family will be more informed. Also eating a little earlier would be great.

Meal time is hard due to everyone's work schedule. Daughter is working and has lesson that end at 6:30 on some days and 8pm on others. Hubby gets home from work between 6 and 7 . That makes family mealtime a little more difficult, or should I say challenging.

Oh well, I will still be sprinkling my food with Sensa and enjoying the new me, slowly transforming.

Fitness Update- A Family View piont.

At a stand still right now. I do so hate this point of the weight lost journey. Feel like it take a while to get over the hump. Do feel my cloths getting looser and know the fat is dissolving. So trying not to let myself get discouraged is very important.

Been staying around 168. Do go up and down some but maintaining in most the 168. Would like to lose 10 more pounds before June. Find that setting small goals are better for me.

Still on the Sensa Plan and getting ready to add another plan to it. We received a new weight program recently. Have not started it yet. The family, mostly hubby, does not want to do Sensa. He just doesn't seem to remember to sprinkle. Too much work he thinks. So I will join him in the new program. Let you know when we start it. Right now He has to get the clearance from the doctors. Has some Kidney and Clotting problems. However He needs to loose weight!

My daughter is Obese in her weight. We have been trying to get her to loose. However, it is harder for teens. She loves to blame me for the weight. I told her that I am eatting the food I am making and losing weight. She just refuses to eat the food. Therefore she eats far in between and consume too many sweet and carbs. I refuse to buy her the carbs and will only do sweets a little. she will soon be 18 the will have to work on her own health. The Nutritionist told me to stay out of it! That is so hard when I see the health issues it is causing. She is 5'2 and 175. I hope posting this will make her realize she needs to work on it. I will admit that she was working out, but she didn't feel it was helping her weight. Once she gets to 18, I can give her the sensa plan and just maybe it will help her control her cravings for Carbs.

A Change in Store for Me.

Now that the new year is here, think I will make a good change. I do like meat, however I will go more towards Vegetable and Less Meat. I have been feeling petty good lately. Having lost the 20+ weight and the inches falling off, my confidence is getting better.

So for this year I will limit my meat to twice a week. eating more vegetables the rest of the week. Oatmeal in the mornings and maybe a soup in the afternoon. Since the rest of the family will want meat. I will make a regular dinner and for me it will be vegetables and maybe a whole grain pasta.
I am eager to see how much this will lead to more weight loss.

I will have to take some vitamins for sure. Melaluca makes good ones and I will begin using them again.

So for a new change I will log my daily meals here. To start off it will be posted weekly. That is so I can look back on my decisions. Now on the other side, You all can help me out by giving me ideas of meals. I am wishing to make a impact on the family, So they will want to join in with me.

Doug... sound good with the oatmeal. I like to add fruits and Agave. Agave is a Low Glycemic sugar. Great for allowing the insulin level to maintain a even level. I will be adding some recipes on my Kitchen site.

The weight is dropping....

Well I am now in the 8 month of the Sensa Plan. I am down to 168 and feeling pretty good. this plan seems to be a great one for me.

I can now see the chance of really getting down to a great healthier weight. Thinking maybe 145 is not a dream but a possibility.

So how does it work you ask? Well it is a sprinkle it on every thing you eat plan. As you use it though the Months, the cravings and mindset seems to be able to have the will power to say no. I really like this. My problem was cravings and just having a mind set of --why not just have it. However I have notice that I have a better mind set on the cravings and eye liking things.

It also helps one know when to stop eating. This is good because we tend to eat way too much!The fullness trigger seem to be working much better for me.

Now I have not been doing any extra exercise than I normally do. I am in my mid fifties and that is a hard age to loose weight. Exercise is great however, my bones seem to hurt a lot. I am hoping when I get down more I will be able to increase the exercise with the doctors go ahead. Now with that said I do walk and climb stairs a lot during the day. Just the basic household duties..... Lifting and stooping go along with the daily activities.

Sensa has really been a great step for me to take. Yes It does cost about 45 dollars a month. However if one looks at the amount you pay to get that cinnamon bun, Starbucks coffee, or candies/snack, fastfood and on and on. The cost is not that bad. Heck one can spend that in one week snacking out! Think about it what is it costing you in health? Now that makes it worth the cost.

I realize that the weight is coming off slow. This seem to be a good thing according to the Medical folks. Every thing I am hearing tells me that loosing it slowly will help one keep it off. I guess it is because of the change in eating pattern one makes over a time. I have notice I really do not want some things anymore. As well as my Choices in food have changed over these 8 months.

Well, now you have it, the plan I am using is working. Even though the Holiday eating frenzy.

Update: the weight is coming off!

Okay it is not super fast....You know we all would like the perfect weight to arrive to our bodies in about 30 days. Seriously though, the longer it take the more likely it will stay off.

Here is the story, I started on the Sensa Weight Loss Plan four months ago. Now in the middle of my fifth month. It is a six month plan and then you start over with month 1 until you reach your goal. In that time one trains the mind to learn the full feeling and break the food habits and craving we have.

So far I have seen a break in the habits and cravings. This month the full feeling is pretty clear to me. So portion control is something I seems to have mastered so far. Now on the the weight loss. I started at 187 pounds and now I am at 172. I think that is great considering the health injuries I had that has limited my exercising , the sprained ankle being one.

I am finding that this weight loss plan is working well for me. Hoping to drop 10 more by December. I think I can do that with the help of the Wii Fitness Trainer.

One thing I am doing is getting rid of the older clothes. The ones that are big, that way I will need to lose to get some new ones. The tendency to gain in the Fall and Winter is great. By getting rid of the old size I can make my mind stay focus and not feel like I have cloth if I gain a few. That is the downfall to the winter gain. Need to change that mind set.

Changing my mind set is so important. I need to really work on that part. Getting excited about losing is great and a good feeling. Being more fit is a healthier fit for my mind.

A progress report. Using Sensa Weight Lost System.

Three months down...12 pounds gone!!!!!

So when I first started I lost right away then about the second week I gained back. this frustrated me a lot. However I kept going. Took my measurements and started logging the weight daily. I would see about .1 to .5 of a pound go off, then I would gain some back.
I think one problem I had was the sprinkling, I wasn't sprinkling enough. I seem to have a lot left over. So the second month I sprinkled more.

I notice the same thing I would lose in the first two weeks and not so much the last two. How frustrating that can be. Think I needed to do somethings else, but what? Maybe exercise. Okay, however I sprained my ankle an tried to do some walking and swimming. It really aggravated the ankle. You know I was not gaining all the weight back just yo-yoing. Still at the end of the month I weighed less.

For month 3 I decided to purchase the travel packages. Thinking that this would help me in knowing how much to use per serving of food. I did well well this month. Lost more weight and did not seem to yo yo as much.

I think the packets was a good purchase for me. it help out a lot and allowed me to get a feel of the amount to sprinkle on the food.

Now into my fourth month as normal for me, I am losing weight this first week. 2 more pounds. I just want to be able to continue the loosing.

As for the inches, not happening. Think that will happen soon. Exercise will have to be the tool to use for that. The Wii is my choice for now. Until the ankle gets better.

Weight Update.

So here I am 1.5 months into the Sensa Weight lost system. I have lost 9 pounds. At first it is hard to remember to sprinkle all food. However I am getting better at it. I have notice that my clothes are getting better and I am loosing inches. Will have to do measurements today. That way I can see the inches go away. In loosing weight sometimes the Scale do not sure the real truth. Once can loose the inches and not the weight as much. My goal is really to tone up and loose also.

Hubby tried it, however he has no patience. He want to see progress daily. This program dose not have that. I believe it is better to loose slowly. That way one can change their life habits and mold themselves into a Healthier thinking person.

For me I need to change my brain to not want the comfort foods. So far I have lost my desire for Sweets. Ice cream just does not sound good to me and Chocolate is something I am not always thinking of. The sensa states the it will make the carbs and sweets lest appealing as well as get me the full feeling. That is seems to do.

Like as mention last time this is a Six month program. I am excited about this program. Awaiting my next two month supply.