I may think this was the best recipe because I just came of mushies and wanted solids. But, I tried chicken the other night and in NO WAY did my band agree! She was being her usual bitchy Hildegard self...so, I did not think of eating red meat yet. I will save that for an adventurous day! Anyway, I loved this, my kids loved this, even my dogs loved it :) I hope you do too!
Brenda's Band Friendly Turkey Meatballs:
1/4 C Italian Bread Crumbs
1lb. Lean Ground Turkey Meat
1/4 C Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1 Jar Preferred Spaghetti Sauce
1 Egg
Stir together Italian bread crumbs, ground turkey, and egg until thoroughly mixed. Roll into meatballs and place in a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes or until juices run clear. Pour spaghetti Sauce over meatballs and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake approx. 10-15 minutes longer or until sauce bubbles and cheese is melted. Dig in!
I would give you the approx. calories but it will depend on your sauce and choices in products. I will say that my yummy dinner was approx. 350 calories....and it was AWESOME!!! Enjoy!
P.S. I would have included a photo but the meatballs were devoured in a matter of minutes! :)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Food Journal Website
In the quest to make myself accountable for each bite, I have succummed to keeping a food journal. I will be honest, I thought it was a lame idea. It would take too much time. I know about how much I consume per day. Then, I found a great website that is easy to use. I mean really easy! Completely user friendly.
The website is: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
Not only does it track your daily food intake but also excersise and water intake. It is easy to plug in any food you have eaten as they have a database of foods already set up. Type in the food and up pops all the nutritional values! Easy peasy!
For water consumption you just click on the water glass to log how many glasses you drink per day. It also lets you log the type of excersie and how long you excersised.
The really cool thing about this website is it lets you figure out how many calories per day you need in order to loose 1 or 2 pounds per week. And, at the end of the day when you click the finished tab it tells you how much weight you would loose in a few weeks if you continued to eat like that day. That is very motivating!
The website will run reports on nutrition, excersise, etc. Also, it will create weight loss tickers for websites or blogs.
Anyway, whether you are trying to loose weight, maintain your current weight or just track your nutrition, check out this website. It is a great tool to help you in your weight loss journey.
Oh, I totally forgot to mention the best part....IT'S FREE!!!!
The website is: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
Not only does it track your daily food intake but also excersise and water intake. It is easy to plug in any food you have eaten as they have a database of foods already set up. Type in the food and up pops all the nutritional values! Easy peasy!
For water consumption you just click on the water glass to log how many glasses you drink per day. It also lets you log the type of excersie and how long you excersised.
The really cool thing about this website is it lets you figure out how many calories per day you need in order to loose 1 or 2 pounds per week. And, at the end of the day when you click the finished tab it tells you how much weight you would loose in a few weeks if you continued to eat like that day. That is very motivating!
The website will run reports on nutrition, excersise, etc. Also, it will create weight loss tickers for websites or blogs.
Anyway, whether you are trying to loose weight, maintain your current weight or just track your nutrition, check out this website. It is a great tool to help you in your weight loss journey.
Oh, I totally forgot to mention the best part....IT'S FREE!!!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Motivation
Today, my husband called me from work. He was really discouraged about loosing weight. His surgery is scheduled for May 3rd. The scale has not moved in 2 days.
I never thought that I would be anyone's motivational speaker....especially about weight loss. But, I found myself spurting out information that 2 months ago I had no knowledge of.
Here are a few of the things I have learned:
1. When dieting there will come a point when your body "freaks out". In other words, you went from say a 2,000 calorie a day diet to 1,200. Your body, after giving up initial pounds thinks it is starving. It is holding on to fat, water, anything it can to survive. Eventually, it will give in. Wait it out!
2. EVERY dieter has a run in with stagnant weight loss. They call it a plateau. The thing that jolts weight loss again is different for every person. Some people need to drop fat and eat more protein. Some people need a bit more excersise. Some people need more calories than others. A 1,000 calorie a day diet may work for me but for you it may take 1,600 calories a day.
3. People that depend on food for emotional needs have the hardest time with the plateau. They tend to throw in the towel and turn to their friend, food. I know, I have been there. Talk to someone...anyone.
4. Even 2 lbs. lost is 2 lbs. less than you were before. Some people have to take baby steps when loosing weight; others take giant leaps. It is easy to give up but just remember 2 lbs. a week X 4 is 8 lbs. a month. 8 X 12 months is 96 pounds in a year. That is a lot!
5. Make little goals not big ones. Start with something small. My original exercise goal is to walk 30 minutes a day. My next goal is 35 minutes a day. And I will increase that number by 5 minutes a week until I am at 60 minutes a day. Small steps, but hopefully I will see big improvements in my health.
6. This is the most important thing. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We are a nation of overweight people. Surely there is someone that you can talk to who can relate. If not, feel free to e-mail me at brendamyers@msn.com. I promise I will answer.
I have read many weight loss boards on websites. Some posts are so positive that they inspire me but others leave me really sad. Weight loss can be an emotional roller coaster. Maybe, if we all lean on each other the journey will be easier!
I never thought that I would be anyone's motivational speaker....especially about weight loss. But, I found myself spurting out information that 2 months ago I had no knowledge of.
Here are a few of the things I have learned:
1. When dieting there will come a point when your body "freaks out". In other words, you went from say a 2,000 calorie a day diet to 1,200. Your body, after giving up initial pounds thinks it is starving. It is holding on to fat, water, anything it can to survive. Eventually, it will give in. Wait it out!
2. EVERY dieter has a run in with stagnant weight loss. They call it a plateau. The thing that jolts weight loss again is different for every person. Some people need to drop fat and eat more protein. Some people need a bit more excersise. Some people need more calories than others. A 1,000 calorie a day diet may work for me but for you it may take 1,600 calories a day.
3. People that depend on food for emotional needs have the hardest time with the plateau. They tend to throw in the towel and turn to their friend, food. I know, I have been there. Talk to someone...anyone.
4. Even 2 lbs. lost is 2 lbs. less than you were before. Some people have to take baby steps when loosing weight; others take giant leaps. It is easy to give up but just remember 2 lbs. a week X 4 is 8 lbs. a month. 8 X 12 months is 96 pounds in a year. That is a lot!
5. Make little goals not big ones. Start with something small. My original exercise goal is to walk 30 minutes a day. My next goal is 35 minutes a day. And I will increase that number by 5 minutes a week until I am at 60 minutes a day. Small steps, but hopefully I will see big improvements in my health.
6. This is the most important thing. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We are a nation of overweight people. Surely there is someone that you can talk to who can relate. If not, feel free to e-mail me at brendamyers@msn.com. I promise I will answer.
I have read many weight loss boards on websites. Some posts are so positive that they inspire me but others leave me really sad. Weight loss can be an emotional roller coaster. Maybe, if we all lean on each other the journey will be easier!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Weight Loss Comparisons
I came across this weight loss comparison chart and had to share, as I got a really big giggle from it! So far, I have lost a 5 gallon jug of water or a human leg.....
1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a humans skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average house cat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant's heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11")
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's 5'4")
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 pounds = an average football lineman
400 pounds = a Welsh pony
1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a humans skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average house cat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant's heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11")
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's 5'4")
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 pounds = an average football lineman
400 pounds = a Welsh pony
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hello to the Sisters
My hubby (in all his guyness) gave me a compliment last night. We were about to watch a movie when he told me to turn sideways.
I was going to question what he wanted but I decided to see where this little adventure was going.
He said (and I quote), "Wow! Your boobs stick out more than your stomach now!" I almost smacked him! But, then I stopped when I realized he had just given me the ultimate guy compliment.
The sisters had made their re-debut!
Now, when I step into a room my stomach will no longer be the first thing to enter!
I am reminded of a Newlywed Game episode where they asked the husbands: When your wife takes a bath what side would most stick out of the water? The front or the back. One husband answered the front of course, because it would be his wifes tummy.
So, bring on the Newlywed game questions...well, we are way past that stage at 15 years of marriage (but, whos counting?). But still......
I will take the compliments as they come!
I was going to question what he wanted but I decided to see where this little adventure was going.
He said (and I quote), "Wow! Your boobs stick out more than your stomach now!" I almost smacked him! But, then I stopped when I realized he had just given me the ultimate guy compliment.
The sisters had made their re-debut!
Now, when I step into a room my stomach will no longer be the first thing to enter!
I am reminded of a Newlywed Game episode where they asked the husbands: When your wife takes a bath what side would most stick out of the water? The front or the back. One husband answered the front of course, because it would be his wifes tummy.
So, bring on the Newlywed game questions...well, we are way past that stage at 15 years of marriage (but, whos counting?). But still......
I will take the compliments as they come!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
My Skinny Bucket List
This is my skinny bucket list. Things that I would dare not do when heavy but with each pound lost are becoming more doable! Thanks to the Lapband Talk forum for the idea!
1. Take the kids on a rock climbing adventure.
2. Go tubing down the Rio Grande (we live in Texas)
3. Go on a second honeymoon! Whoo Hoo!!
4. Buy some really expensive jeans that make my butt look good!
5. Go on some bumper cars (and actually fit!)
6. Go to the Texas state fair and walk all day!
7. Get on roller skates at the kids skate nights for school.
8. Go go-carting
9. Cross my legs comfortably
10. Tie my shoe in the middle NOT on the side
1. Take the kids on a rock climbing adventure.
2. Go tubing down the Rio Grande (we live in Texas)
3. Go on a second honeymoon! Whoo Hoo!!
4. Buy some really expensive jeans that make my butt look good!
5. Go on some bumper cars (and actually fit!)
6. Go to the Texas state fair and walk all day!
7. Get on roller skates at the kids skate nights for school.
9. Cross my legs comfortably
10. Tie my shoe in the middle NOT on the side
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Hunger Monster
Yesterday, I had my first run in with the stress eating monster. Thankfully the band won't let me stress eat.
I went to pick up the kids from school and my air conditioner in the car was blowing out hot air. Not good! It is already 90 degrees here in Texas.
When I got home, I called Kevin at work to tell him. He was not happy. Kevin started ranting and raving and asking me what did I want him to do about it. I started to cry.
The next thing I knew I was standing right in front of my good friend the fridge with the door wide open. But, the difference now is that when I get upset the band automatically tightens up. Could I have tried to eat something? Yes, but it probably would have ended up being thrown up.
So, I closed the fridge. I drank Crystal Light and cleaned. Well, if I am being honest I cried and cleaned. But, I didn't eat! That in itself is a success. And it got me wondering......
Over the years, how much have I eaten and not really been present in that moment? I would guess...a lot. How many times does the normal person eat when stressed? I am guessing...a lot. It was kind of an A-Ha moment for me.
I have been relying on food to get me through all the stress in my life...and there has been tons of stress in the last 5 years. What am I going to do going forward when I get stressed? I haven't figured that out yet but the possibilities are endless...a walk, a hobby? What am I not going to do? I am not going to Brauhams with the kids or opening the fridge and eating empty calories.
I am taking this band one day at a time. I am learning the new rules Hildegard (that is my bands name!) imposes on me. I am becoming me again...slowly but surely I will get through this journey....and I will be stronger and more present in my own life.
I went to pick up the kids from school and my air conditioner in the car was blowing out hot air. Not good! It is already 90 degrees here in Texas.
When I got home, I called Kevin at work to tell him. He was not happy. Kevin started ranting and raving and asking me what did I want him to do about it. I started to cry.
The next thing I knew I was standing right in front of my good friend the fridge with the door wide open. But, the difference now is that when I get upset the band automatically tightens up. Could I have tried to eat something? Yes, but it probably would have ended up being thrown up.
So, I closed the fridge. I drank Crystal Light and cleaned. Well, if I am being honest I cried and cleaned. But, I didn't eat! That in itself is a success. And it got me wondering......
Over the years, how much have I eaten and not really been present in that moment? I would guess...a lot. How many times does the normal person eat when stressed? I am guessing...a lot. It was kind of an A-Ha moment for me.
I have been relying on food to get me through all the stress in my life...and there has been tons of stress in the last 5 years. What am I going to do going forward when I get stressed? I haven't figured that out yet but the possibilities are endless...a walk, a hobby? What am I not going to do? I am not going to Brauhams with the kids or opening the fridge and eating empty calories.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Two Banditos
Well, I am happy to announce that my husband has decided to become a bandster also. He will be official on May 3rd.
I think he wanted to make sure he could endure the pain so, he graciously let me go before him. I hate to tell him but the 3 C-sections I had have pretty much numbed my abdominal muscles. Hopefully, he won't be too much of a man-baby about surgery. Ha! Wishful thinking!
Actually, I am very proud that he has made this decision. Our family is really in for some changes this year and I couldn't be more excited!
I think he wanted to make sure he could endure the pain so, he graciously let me go before him. I hate to tell him but the 3 C-sections I had have pretty much numbed my abdominal muscles. Hopefully, he won't be too much of a man-baby about surgery. Ha! Wishful thinking!
Actually, I am very proud that he has made this decision. Our family is really in for some changes this year and I couldn't be more excited!
Naming the Band
I have decided that in the spirit of weight loss that my band will be named. I know it sounds a bit silly but, I will try anything if it will help this process along.
So, I was stumped as to what to name her. Yes, she is a woman because when she gets angry watch out!!! And she can make me happy one moment and miserable the next.
I picture her a 6 foot tall Amazon-like German woman with two braided buns on the sides of her head. She has a uni-brow and wears super conservative clothes. When she gets mad....well, all Hell breaks loose. But, she has a very sweet nurturing side. To sum it up, she is like a German nanny that watches over me. She is very protective.
Hildagard is her name. Hildy when she is acting nice.
I googled the name Hildagarde. This is what it says:
Hildegard: as a girl's name is a variant of Hildegarde (Old German), and the meaning of Hildegard is "battle stronghold".
Hildegard is strongly going to battle against the war on fat! Be brave Hildy, there is a lot of work to do!
So, I was stumped as to what to name her. Yes, she is a woman because when she gets angry watch out!!! And she can make me happy one moment and miserable the next.
I picture her a 6 foot tall Amazon-like German woman with two braided buns on the sides of her head. She has a uni-brow and wears super conservative clothes. When she gets mad....well, all Hell breaks loose. But, she has a very sweet nurturing side. To sum it up, she is like a German nanny that watches over me. She is very protective.
Hildagard is her name. Hildy when she is acting nice.
I googled the name Hildagarde. This is what it says:
Hildegard: as a girl's name is a variant of Hildegarde (Old German), and the meaning of Hildegard is "battle stronghold".
Hildegard is strongly going to battle against the war on fat! Be brave Hildy, there is a lot of work to do!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Two Fat Girl Fears ~CONQUERED!~
Yesterday, I am proud to say I conquered two of my "fat girl" fears. Can you guess what they were? Going to the gym and buying a scale! I did both! What a proud day.
I hate walking into the gym. I hate the idea that I will be the fattest girl in the joint. I have a fear that everyone will stop and stare and wonder what the fat girl is doing at the gym. I know this sounds crazy because really what is the gym for? It is for people to get healthy. We all know that if you need to get healthy chances are you are just a little overweight.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was the youngest member there and no one was skinny! Imagine that! NO ONE WAS SKINNY. My gym time will definitely be at 1:30 in the afternoon again!
After facing that fear, I felt it was time to face the next one. So, after I picked the kiddos up from school we made a Wal-Mart run. I decided we actually need a scale. It is hard to imagine that after 15 yrs. of weight struggle that the scale will be going down now.
I mean I have tried very hard to NEVER step on the scale. At the doctors office I remove any article of clothing that I possibly can get away with without becoming naked in the hallway. I have even stepped backwards on the scale and told the nurse to keep the weight to herself. NO MORE!!!!
The last half a dozen times I have stepped on the dreaded scale it has actually went down! DOWN!!! Can you believe that? Even as I write this it seems impossible. One little band has changed the way I view the scale.
So, yesterday I climbed my mini-mountain and conquered a few dreaded fears. And you know what? My self-esteem went way up. I am going to love the new me! The new me is not afraid to try new things. The new me is not afraid to fail. The new me is going to be positively someone I want to hang out with!
I hate walking into the gym. I hate the idea that I will be the fattest girl in the joint. I have a fear that everyone will stop and stare and wonder what the fat girl is doing at the gym. I know this sounds crazy because really what is the gym for? It is for people to get healthy. We all know that if you need to get healthy chances are you are just a little overweight.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was the youngest member there and no one was skinny! Imagine that! NO ONE WAS SKINNY. My gym time will definitely be at 1:30 in the afternoon again!
After facing that fear, I felt it was time to face the next one. So, after I picked the kiddos up from school we made a Wal-Mart run. I decided we actually need a scale. It is hard to imagine that after 15 yrs. of weight struggle that the scale will be going down now.
I mean I have tried very hard to NEVER step on the scale. At the doctors office I remove any article of clothing that I possibly can get away with without becoming naked in the hallway. I have even stepped backwards on the scale and told the nurse to keep the weight to herself. NO MORE!!!!
The last half a dozen times I have stepped on the dreaded scale it has actually went down! DOWN!!! Can you believe that? Even as I write this it seems impossible. One little band has changed the way I view the scale.
So, yesterday I climbed my mini-mountain and conquered a few dreaded fears. And you know what? My self-esteem went way up. I am going to love the new me! The new me is not afraid to try new things. The new me is not afraid to fail. The new me is going to be positively someone I want to hang out with!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Banded~Finally!
After 2 years of research and contemplation, I have finally been banded! This journey has been a long one. 2 years ago I backed out of surgery because I thought I could do it on my own. HA!!! What was I thinking?! Not only did I gain an extra 20 lbs. that now I have to take off but my self esteem went to the crapper! It is a big blow when you realize you can not control the food...it controls you.
After my new inquiry into Lap Band, it took 4 weeks until my surgery. I can honestly say it was a GREAT decision. I have not wanted my old eating habits back at all. I have dropped 32 lbs in 4 weeks. WHOO-HOO! I am no longer on the big 300 side! What a relief. I will not go down that dark alley again. Screw the donuts! Krispy Kreme no longer has a hold on me.
I am excited to be on my new journey. I am sure there will be ups and downs but, I realize now that I am bound to make a few mistakes. When the mistakes happen, I will pick myself up and get back on that wagon. I want to be strong, healthy and one kick-ass hot momma!
After my new inquiry into Lap Band, it took 4 weeks until my surgery. I can honestly say it was a GREAT decision. I have not wanted my old eating habits back at all. I have dropped 32 lbs in 4 weeks. WHOO-HOO! I am no longer on the big 300 side! What a relief. I will not go down that dark alley again. Screw the donuts! Krispy Kreme no longer has a hold on me.
I am excited to be on my new journey. I am sure there will be ups and downs but, I realize now that I am bound to make a few mistakes. When the mistakes happen, I will pick myself up and get back on that wagon. I want to be strong, healthy and one kick-ass hot momma!
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