Something to Work Toward...

I've decided that I need something to work toward... a reason to lose weight (besides getting more healthy - like that isn't enough, right?!). One of my sons will probably - most likely - be getting married sometime this year. You know, wedding pictures are something that you really need to be ready for - something that you can't "redo" when you look better. I desperately want to look good for those pictures. I DO NOT want to be immortalized in pictures looking the way I do. So, yesterday, I went "shopping" online for my mother-of-the-groom dress. I know... he's not even engaged yet - I don't know the colors - yada, yada, yada. But, remember the "something to work for" part? So, I found a dress I want to wear. It's black (can't go wrong with black). It's beautiful. I'll look GREAT in it - maybe not as great as the model who is wearing it, but... Here's the picture:

Isn't it beautiful?! (And, I'm not telling any of you where I found it - you'll just try to steal the idea from me, I know!!! Because, really, doesn't every woman want to wear this dress?!)

Now... the price - that's a bit of a problem. Losing the weight to fit into this dress is probably the easy part - paying for it will be hard! But, I need a nice, black, dress for going to formal parties. (Don't remind me - I know that Rick and I have never, in 24 years, been to a formal party - but, I'm trying to justify buying this!).

I just printed this picture with the words "GOAL - FIT INTO THIS!" written at the bottom. I'm thinking of putting in on the mirror in my bathroom! Wish me luck!

The Belly Fat Cure

Last month, in Costo's magazine, there was an article about the Belly Fat Cure by Jorge Cruise. It looked interesting, so I went a few weeks ago, and bought it. I read it last week, and I decided to try it. Basically, you don't really watch calories or fat grams, you just watch sugar grams and carbs.

The magic number is 15/6 - 15 grams of sugar per day, and 6 carb servings (one carb serving is 0-21 carbs).

I started it about 5 days ago, and I've lost 4 pounds. I'm never hungry. It's pretty simple. However, I am having withdrawals from things like milk (10 grams of sugar per cup!), and fruit (one medium banana has 14 grams of sugar!). Of course, I have to still make sure that my serving sizes aren't big - even though I'm not counting calories, I still have to be smart about it. Plus, I'm walking each morning, and drinking water.

The reason I'm not having too much of a problem, is because I can eat proteins like lean meats, cheese, and nuts.

Anyway, I'm wondering if the reason I'm losing is because of the food plan, or because I'm exercising, or because I'm drinking water. I'll stick to this for a few weeks, and see what happens. This food plan focuses just on your waistline. You're supposed to be able to lose 4-9 pounds per week, and several inches from your waistline. Hope it works.

Reward!

It's a lousy picture, but a cool beanie! I won it for completing a wellness challenge through my work.

Of course the better reward was the health. But a bit of motivation is always nice.

The object of the challenge was to not gain more than two pounds over the holidays. I met the goal, and then it has still been a challenge. Why does weight bounce up so easily? It is a battle to keep every pound away.

I've already stared on the next challenge. I've set a goal to lose ten more pounds during the six week challenge. I'm also exercising and eating carefully.

I wonder what the prize for that one will be????

Build a Healthful Salad

I have a favorite book I've been reading through lately - Complete Food and Nutrition Guide (click here to go to Amazon.com and buy it for around $16)- and last night I found this cool list of how to build a healthy salad at a salad bar.

A few "stats" first: Did you know - a do-it-yourself salad, chosen from the salad bar, often has more calories than a deluxe burger, fries, and a shake, or a steak-and-potato dinner?! An average salad bar plate can top out at more than 1,000 calories, depending on your choices and portions. And one more - salads have been reported to be a main source of dietary FAT for many women. (!)

So, here is the table they have in the book. Now, if you'd like to get a better, printable, copy of this, just email me at nafari01(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Greens
Bean Sprouts (1/4 cup), 8 calories, trace fat
Lettuce (1 cup), 8 calories, trace fat
Spinach (1 cup), 7 calories, trace fat

Other Veggies
Artichoke hearts (1/4 cup), 20 calories, trace fat
Beets (1/4 cup), 20 calories, 0 fat
Bell peppers (2 tbsp.), 5 calories, trace fat
Broccoli (1/4 cup), 8 calories, trace fat
Carrots, shredded (1/4 cup), 10 calories, trace fat
Cauliflowers (1/4 cup), 6 calories, trace fat
Cucumbers (1/4 cup), 4 calories, trace fat
Green peas (2 tbsp.), 15 calories, trace fat
Mushrooms (1/4 cup), 4 calories, trace fat
Onions (1 tbsp.), 4 calories, 0 fat
Radishes (2 tbsp.), 2 calories, trace fat
Tomatoes (1/4 cup), 8 calories, trace fat

Fruits
Avocados (1/4 cup), 60 calories, 6 grams fat
Canned peaches, in juice (1/4 cup), 25 calories, trace fat
Fresh melons (1/4 cup), 15 calories, trace fat
Fresh strawberries (1/4 cup), 10 calories, trace fat
Mandarin oranges, in juice (1/4 cup), 20 calories, trace fat
Olives, ripe (2 tbsp.), 20 calories, 2 grams fat
Raisins (2 tbsp.), 60 calories, trace fat

Beans, Nuts, and Seeds
Almonds, slices (1 tbsp.), 55 calories, 5 grams fat
Chickpeas (1/4 cup), 65 calories, 1 gram fat
Kidney beans (1/4 cup), 55 calories, trace fat
Sunflower seeds (1 tbsp.), 45 calories, 4 grams fat
Tofu (raw, firm) (1/4 cup), 90 calories, 6 grams fat

Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs
Eggs, chopped (2 tbsp.), 25 calories, 2 grams fat
Lean ham, chopped (1 oz.), 40 calories, 2 grams fat
Popcorn shrimp (1 oz.), 30 calories, <1 gram fat
Surimi (1 oz.), 30 calories, <1 gram fat
Tuna in spring water (1 oz.), 35 calories, <1 gram fat
Turkey in strips (1 oz.), 40 calories, <1 gram fat

Cheese
Cheddar cheese, grated (2 tbsp.), 55 calories, 5 grams fat
Cottage cheese, creamed (1/4 cup), 60 calories, 2 grams fat
Cottage cheese, 1% low-fat (1/4 cup), 40 calories, <1 gram fat
Feta cheese (2 tbsp.), 50 calories, 4 grams fat
Mozzarella cheese, grated (part skim) (2 tbsp.), 45 calories, 3 grams fat
Parmesan cheese (2 tbsp.), 45 calories, 3 grams fat

Others
Bacon bits (1 tbsp.), 25 calories, 2 grams fat
Chow mein noodles (1 tbsp.), 15 calories, <1 gram fat
Croutons, seasoned (2 tbsp.), 25 calories, 1 gram fat

Mixed Salads
Potato (w/mayo) (1/4 cup), 90 calories, 5 grams fat
Three-bean (in vinaigrette) (1/4 cup), 60 calories, 0 fat
Tuna salad (w/mayo) (1/4 cup), 95 calories, 5 grams fat

Dressings
Blue cheese, regular (2 tbsp.), 150 calories, 16 grams fat
French, regular (2 tbsp.), 145 calories, 14 grams fat
Italian, fat-free (2 tbsp.), 15 calories, <1 gram fat
Italian, regular (2 tbsp.), 85 calories, 8 grams fat
Lemon juice (2 tbsp.), 6 calories, 0 fat
Oil and vinegar (2 tbsp.), 145 calories, 16 grams fat
Thousand Island, regular (2 tbsp.), 120 calories, 11 grams fat
Vinegar (2 tbsp.), 6 calories, 0 fat

Imagine a salad bar with bowls and bowls of ingredients. Your plate is empty. How would you build your salad? When your plate is full, add up the calories and fat - you might be surprised.

I find this very helpful. Notice that they don't even list Ranch Dressing! A few suggestions:
1. Pace yourself. Check out the salad bar from end to end before you even begin filling up your plate.
2. Use a small salad plate, not a dinner plate.
3. Start with greens. Dark-green leafy veggies such as spinach and romaine supply more nutrients and phytonutrients than iceberg lettuce does.
4. Spoon on plenty of brightly colored veggies, legumes, and fruits for their nutrient, fiber, and phytonutrient benefits. They are low in fats, too.
5. Make it a hearty salad with protein-rich ingredients: legumes, lean meat, turkey, crabmeat or surimi, tuna, eggs, and cheese. Cottage cheese, other cheese, and yogurt on the salad bar also add calcium.
6. Lighten up on higher-fat toppings and mayonnaise-based side salads.
7. Dress your salad for success! A 2-tablespoon ladle of French, Italian, Blue cheese, or Thousand Island dressing adds about 150 calories to an otherwise low-calorie salad. Too often, people spoon on double or triple that amount and overpower the delicate flavor of the salad ingredients. Go easy, try a low-fat or fat-free dressing - or sprinkle on just a splash of flavored vinegar or lemon juice.

I hope this helps to make your salads better! Again, if you want a printable copy, email me. Have a successful day (I think I'll go make a salad for lunch!).

Wake Up Call...

This morning, I weighed and took my measurements. I'm in shock. My last measurements were taken in July - exactly 6 months ago. I've gained 20 pounds, and 14.25 inches since then. I can't really figure out why - I haven't eaten tons more than normal, but I also haven't moved very much. And I've had 2 surgeries, so I've been down more than normal, I guess. I am at my top weight of my whole life right now. It's very depressing. Even more depressing - I weigh 115 pounds more than when I got married 24 years ago. I'm over 40 inches bigger (in just 3 areas) than when I got married.

Well. I bet that just made all of you feel SO MUCH better! I've got some work to do, right?! I've reviewed my goals, and I feel good about them still. The two things I've found to be the hardest so far, are 1) drinking enough water, and 2) making sure every portion size is smaller. Those are the two things I'll focus the most of this week. The best thing I've done? I haven't had even one sip of soda since the 31st of December. I'm quite proud of myself for that - soda is one of the things I love the most. (she says, bovinely).

I've got to close this - I need to go walking before dark. I really don't want to be walking in the cemetery after dark.

I've got a very cool post on salad bars that I'll do later.

New Diet Tip

New Diet Tip:

DO NOT go to Golden Corral is you want to lose weight! Why would anyone want "all you can eat"??!!

An Inspirational Blog

I just found a great blog - very inspirational. This girl lost 116 this last year - not by weird diets, pills, surgery, or anything like that. Just by... drumroll please... eating smaller portions and exercising. Can you believe it? What a novel idea. Here's the URL:

http://enduranceisntonlyphysical.blogspot.com/

I'm going to check this blog out each day - she's a great writer, and I think the inspiration will help me.

Conquering stress and eating

Today I had a very stressful day and I'm pleased to say that I resisted the urge to eat because of the stress!

It was a yucky day filled with several dramas at home and work. Had to be careful about relationships a lot. Some I handled well, others I did not.

By 4:00 I couldn't take any more. I came home from work and wanted to just cry and eat. But instead I remembered to exercise. I changed into sweats and walked/ran through my house. My large upstairs family room doubles as a track for me in the wintertime. I do large loops around the fireplace that is in the middle of the two rooms. Not as great as outside, but it is a lot warmer.

And I agree about the weights and strength training. I've alternated between upper and lower body for years. I don't have the best equipment, but I fit it in at home.

I'm avoiding weighing myself until Saturday. I hope there is a drop!

A few tips!

hey I was watching the Dr.s today- love that show! It is on channel 4 at 4:00. They always have the best info there! They started 3 groups this year who want to loose weight, quit smoking, and destress. They will have tips for each group regularly and they are following certain members of the groups. So I called Kara to tell her to watch it- just as they were ending the weight loss segment! (Sorry Kara!) A couple things they shared today:
1. Did you know that if you treat yourself to a small brownie each night and 3 slices of pizza on the weekend it adds up in one year to over 1300 lbs of fat! Thats 22 lbs that you would gain! HOLY!!
2. If you eat an apple before you eat dinner you will not eat as much food at dinner? Curbs your appetite and apples are not something you eat fast so you curb that urge to chew- or the act of eating. SWEET!
3. Almonds are awesome! (Wish I could eat nuts!- I'm going to figure that out!) If you eat a handful of almonds a day it helps burn fat from your body! Because they are a high protien it takes longer for your body to digest them- thus it has to work harder and raises your motabolism- burning more fat! So... get a jar of almonds and if you get a craving grab a few!

Kris

Lift to Lose

Hey girls, I noticed that both Cindy and Kris posted their goals on the sidebar! Way to go!!!! As I read through the goals, I noticed that each of you plan on lifting weights daily. Let me just caution you about the weights (I do know what I'm talking about - I use to lift a lot earlier in my life and was taught the correct way at the spa). Make sure if you are lifting each day, that you switch between upper and lower body parts. You should give your body a full day's rest between weight-lifting days. So, if you are lifting each day, do upper body one day, and then lower body the next day, and then back to upper body, etc. I'll find my weight lifting chart and post some of the most important exercises to do, and how to do them. Are you guys working with free weights, or do you have machines?

I'm really pleased that we are all going to be focusing on lifting - a lot of people think you shouldn't lift weights, mostly because it's sometimes hard to lose weight if you are lifting (because, even though you are losing fat, you are gaining muscle, which is heavier than fat). I've known for years that the only way to lose fat is to gain muscle!

What happened?!!!

Well crap. Its worse then I thought! (Haha!) Weighed yesterday...maybe I will hit the scale eveyday to stay motivated! NOT! 44 lbs to my goal! Holy cow. What happened?!!! All I have to do is think about the number on the scale and know it better be lower when I get on it next Sunday! Did pretty good yesterday and so far today! Hang in there guys it will get easier!!!
Kris

Some Things I didn't Do...

I did not walk today.
I did not follow a good food routine today.
I did not feel good today. :-(

My stomach has been sick since last night. I missed Church this morning because I felt like crap. I wasn't sure why I didn't feel good, until Rick came home and threw up all over everything. Then, I thought perhaps I have the flu (like him). It's pretty hard to get excited about walking when you don't feel good, but I do wish I would have tried. I would have gone this morning, but since I was skipping Church, I thought I would get struck by lightening! It's hard, too, to eat well when you're sick. I had a bowl of cereal. Then I felt awful. I had a few roasted peanuts. Yuck. I had a banana - ew. I had 3 pieces of licorice. Oops. I ate 1 peanut M&M. Double oops. I tried to eat the chicken I cooked in the crock pot for the fam tonight - it was cooked in Spiced Caribbean Jerk marinade. It was a little too spicy for my sick stomach. I got through about 1 cup of it. I really want some Coke - I think it will help settle my stomach. It helped Rick's stomach. BUT, I promised myself NO MORE soda. *sigh*

I should just go to bed, and close the chapter on this crappy day. I hope I don't get more sick over night. I guess I'm sleeping on the couch. :-(

Good luck tomorrow, everyone.

Some good, some not so good

Good:

• I met the requirements of the wellness challenge I have worked on! (I'm less than 2 lbs. up over my pre-holidays weight.)
• I'm at 10,204 steps today. I was at 7,000 until about an hour ago and walked around the house to finish it up.
• I was very hungry by the time Kirby and I went out for Thai food. I didn't eat too much and brought home a lot.

Not so good:

• My boys missed a pancake breakfast today and asked that I make some. Not what I had planned to eat. White flour pancakes with butter and syrup are not a diet food.
• Some little chocolate candies should have been saved for a reward :-(

Tomorrow: Fast Sunday with a vegetarian dinner.

Rewards!

Ok - one more thing! I was talking to Dave and he is trying REALLY hard to get with the program, loose the weight (and the stomach) he has gained and most of all quit the POP! Hard stuff for him since they all get it free at the Common Cents by the prison! I think they usually make about 4 runs a day to get drinks. So he is cutting down to 1 a day and a 20 ounce not 44 oz.! He said "If I try to just stop cold turkey I will never do it." True. So if you have a vise like this don't try to go cold turkey, you will feel horrible and then you will get down and quit.
I happen to LOVE rasberry Brisk ice tea. So I decided I would have hot fruit tea in the mornings, and will get some rasberry tea crystal light for my water and have just one a day to kill the cravings!
My big treat? Maverik has this amazing Fat Free yogurt! Ok...it comes in 2 sizes. I usually get the big size and save half for the next day! (sometimes!) I decided that if I stick to it and do good then 2 times a month a can have a SMALL frozen yogurt! My favorite is the chocolate (I ate nothing chocolate for 9 years!) or the strawberry cheesecake. So everyother Friday night we are going on a date to Mavrick for frozen yogurt! :) I know this sounds lame but hey, I'm excited! Until a few months ago Dave and I never had ice cream together! It was like we were dating again! HA! So my suggestion to you... tell yourself to stick with it, and its OK to reward yourself with a treat once in a while! Just make sure you limit it to a couple times a month not everyother day! If you read the Body for Life program it is really strict, you have to stick to a very harsh diet all week but have a "free day" every Friday where you can eat whatever you want. Personally I don't think this is a good idea. Can we all say Binge and purge? But I do think it is good not to totally deprive yourself of the things you like. Everyone wants to be rewarded and lets face it, a manicue is great, and movie or other activity is fun, but a 4 oz. fat free chocolate frozen yogurt is the bomb! :) Find your vise and put it on your calendar!
Kris

What to eat?

So yesterday I was reading Kara's post about what she ate. AWESOME! I think one of my goals will be to try to eat new things. I am so bored with food. This last year I have added beans- all kinds, (yea protien!) and some different fruits and vegiesto my diet. Good stuff. If you guys aren't aware my diet is still pretty limited- but in a different way- because of my colon being removed. I can't eat anything with oil or fat it makes me RELALY sick. And meat is very hard on me too- makes me sick and I have hard time digesting it. Oh, and nothing with seeds. Bad idea. PAIN!
So for breakfast I had peaches (that I canned) with about 1/2 a cup of fat free milk on them. A slice of dry toast ( I don't eat butter) with about a Tbl. of homemade jam.
For lunch I had a bowl of black beans (about a cup) with a little seasoning. and 4 crackers.
For dinner I had a salad of lettuce, celery, carrots, cabbage and kidney beans, with 3 Tbls. of fat free ranch. OK... Thats not alot of dressing, but I fugured out that I eat ALOT of dressing.. probably one of the reasons I have gained weight! So even though it is fat free I have to watch my calories!
I wasn't really hungry for snacks, kept myself busy cleaning up christmas stuff all day! Tip: stay busy and you wont realize you haven't eaten! Ha!
I did have a few of Ellie's gummies and a starburst. Again... fat free candy does not mean calorie free candy! Gotta be careful with that! Got some hard candy and gum so when I have a sweet craving I can suck on a peice or chew gum and it goes away. I usually don't finish the candy either- after a few minutes I can't take the sweet anymore.
I meant to meassure and weigh this morning -again- but forgot-agian! So I will do that tomorrow morning! Sunday seems like a good morning to do my weight and meassurements- then I can go to church and pray for help! HA! Good weekend to you all!
Kris

Water Water Water!

Ok...suggestion. Loose the huge waterbottles- those overwhelm everyone!! Get some of those one pt. 7.7 ounce Arrowhead ones. I put four in the fridge. They are easy to drink..you know the ones with the skinny middle, with the snap open cap?? Refill and put on a different shelf in the fridge, grab another one. By the end of the day all four are gone and you've had over 12 cups of water- really!! (about 3 cups each) Make sure you refill and stick them in the fridge for tomorrow! I actually had to refill my last one at about 7 last night and drank another whole one before going to bed! This is the best way I have found to get my water in! I take it with me everywhere. If I feel hungry I guzzle water. No more hungry. If I am sitting down to eat I guzzle first, not just a sip, I guzzle it! Challenge yourself! Fills you up and you will not want to eat as much! You will be surprized how much water you drink! If you have to # the bottles do that. Whatever you do Sharpie your name on them and threaten your kids not to touch your water! :) Good luck!

Pedometer Points

I wore my pedometer all day today. They say you should have 10,000 steps each day. Today I got 9668.

Yesterday I got about the same amount - but I had expected more. I actually took a nap because I was supposed to chaperone at our church New Year's Eve dance. I planned to dance with Kirby and be very active. But at about 10:15 pm - just as I was about to leave- someone called and said I didn't need to go because they had too many chaperones. So Kirby and I spent a lazy night home with no kids - and no dancing.

The day before I got over 12,000. During the summer I often get between 18,000 and 25,000.

My little $3 pedometer has motivated me to move more than an expensive gym membership. I just don't have time to fit in going to the gym. But I can do lots of little things during the day and get in lots of steps. I often think of them not just as steps, but as points I have earned. It really is helpful to see how active or inactive I've been. If I could figure out how, I would put a pedometer chart on here.

End of Day One...

Today, I've made some good food choices, and just thought I'd blog about them. I decided to not go on a "diet", because that just plays with my head. I need to do a lifestyle change instead. So, I'm trying to just cut my serving sizes way down. I figure that I won't necessarily have to change everything I eat, I'll just eat much smaller portions. That way, I can still enjoy food, and lose weight at the same time.

Today, for lunch I had 3-4 bites of the last Wingers Sticky Finger chicken tender from our New Year's dinner last night. It wasn't that great. I gave the rest to Cocoa. I also had carrots, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes. I had 8 Wheat Thins, as well. Yesterday, I made some Ranch dip for veggies, and today I had 2 tablespoons of that with the veggies and crackers.

Tonight, I made Potato-Cheese soup and homemade biscuits. I ate 3/4 cup of soup (where, before I would have probably eaten at least one full bowl), and 1 biscuit - no butter - with 1 teaspoon of honey drizzled over it (before I would have most likely eaten at least 3 biscuits).

So, I feel pretty good about my food choices today. I ate a few (maybe 6) peanuts as I was making dinner, too. There - I've listed everything. I didn't drink as much water as I should have, but I did drink perhaps 4 glasses. I don't see how I can't lose weight by cutting food way down like this. One of the greatest things about keeping a food diary is that it shows you how truly out of control you were before you started it!

All-in-all, I think for my first day, I did well. I walked, I drank water, and I watched the amount of food I ate.

I hope everyone else had a successful day!

(I'll probably post more often than everyone else - I just need the accountability!)

We're not all here yet

Anybody heard from Loriann yet? Will she be joining us?

I'm very welcome to anyone that wants to join! At some point we'll have to have a skinny party for all of us. I'll bring the celery.

The First Day of Healthy

Today is the first day of 2010! WOO-HOO!!! I can't tell you how excited I am to be done with 2009. I am done with being sick and feeling unhealthy. I told myself that no matter what the weather looked like this morning when I woke up, I'd go out walking. I felt pretty crappy when I woke up - like most mornings - so keeping my promise to myself wasn't easy. But, I rolled out of bed, put some clothes on, stuck my "Survivor" hat on my head, grabbed my iPod, gloves, and scarf, and headed out the door. I drove to my all-time favorite place to walk - the cemetery here in town. I put Hootie and the Blowfish on my iPod, bundled up, and walked. It was tougher than I thought - walking in the snow. I found that it's kind of like walking in sand. But, that's a good thing, right? I walked about 25 minutes - 6-7 Hootie songs.

Walking seems to give me the time I need to think. I thought about all of the good things I wanted to do for myself this year. I thought about what I would look like and feel like next New Year's Day. It was good motivation.

Came home feeling pretty good about myself. I made a good choice for breakfast, too. I had a bowl of frosted mini-wheats (1/2 as much as I normally eat), and an orange. I'm sitting here staring at my bottle of water - it's 33.8 fl oz. I think if I drink about 3 of these each day, that'll be enough. But, I definitely need some flavor - I'm going to go search through my pantry for a Chrystal Light packet to add to the water.

I've also read the scriptures this morning - the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow is from Moses, chapter 1 - were Moses finds out that he is made in the image of God. That made me think that perhaps I should take care of this wonderful body I've been given. Ya think?

I already love this - focusing on something with family and friends. I say, the more, the merrier (and healthier). Make it a great day today everyone.

Happy New You!

Good morning and Happy New Year!

So, it has taken me a while to figure out how you have all been posting to this. I told you I was new to this. I found this cool button called "New Post". We'll see what happens.

Like Kara said, this was my idea. I had a couple of friends who were sisters who did a blog on losing weight. I thought that this was just what I needed - support and motivation from sisters and friends who were trying to be healthier too!

I hope we all have tons of fun and become healthier.

My first goal is actually very short term - due tomorrow. I've been in a wellness challenge through my work called Lean Santa. We're supposed to not gain more than two pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years. My final weigh-in is tomorrow. At one point I got sick and actually lost a pound! But then I re-hit my all time high - almost four pounds above the pre-Thanksgiving weight. I've been being good since Christmas and right now I am just 1.4 above my starting weight. That's within the goals of the contest, but still too high.

For now, I'm just going to say that I've been bouncing around an all-time high weight for about a year. I'm going to take it way down! I'm not sure what my ideal weight should be, but I'm guessing it's 30 to 40 pounds away.

I'm really glad for the support of you guys already. What a great group of sisters/friends! We're all close to the same age and I think we share some of the same health concerns. Kara scared us all and maybe we've all become more health conscious because of her. I've become more grateful for my health as I have watched others my age develop serious health problems. I realized a while ago that my only health problem is that I am overweight - my own fault. I've also got mild asthma and was surprised to read that losing weight will help that too! So now it is time to see just how healthy I can be.