Silent Progress

Today I make a suggestion.

If the weight isn't coming off
by diet alone- exercise!

A month at Curves had these results:

My daughter lost 9 LBS and 17 INCHES!!!
Wow! Yeah, Erin!

And, then,- (of course I blame it on old-lady
hormones and faulty metabolism for not
doing better)-
I came in losing a whopping 3 LBS
and 9.5 INCHES.

I feel good about it.

Even though it is a hassle
to go into town everyday-
find clothes to work out in-
sweat like a giant whale,
and be sore for days-
I know it's worth it.

Just wish I had started sooner-
not waited until my 200 day goal
was almost over.

But we've still got time
to make a difference.

Time To Weigh In

My daughter and I joined Curves
a month ago
and later today we finally get
to see how much it has helped.

We weigh in and measure.

I'm thinking about asking if I
can weigh naked-
or maybe I'll get my haircut
before I go-
or fill up on some kind
of helium-induced bran
that will make me lighter.

A person can usually tell
when their pants feel bigger
or their skin is firmer.

Just between you and me-
I'm not feelin' it.

But, one thing I have learned
over the years is
that life is full of surprises.

I just hope that 30 minutes a day
and wearing blinders around
the cheesecake
has helped.

I'll let you know tomorrow.

Until then-
we have 25 days to go.

What other kind of blog
will I write
when this one is over?

A Few Days Off

Due to family matters,
I won't be posting here
till next week.
Thanks for stopping by.

Success Story #1

Just thought I'd share
a little note I received today.

Dear Rae,
I just hoff to tell you how perfectly
vondervul I veel since reading
your blog.
Yor inspiration haus
made me find thin!

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

And he enclosed a photograph:

The Heat Is On

How is it that you can sweat
ten buckets of perspiration
and not lose a pound-
but one donut hole
slaps 12 ounces to your thighs?

Diets aren't fair.

I thought that working outside in 90+
degree heat and 100 percent humidity,
I might experience the same benefits
as spending the day in a sauna,
but-
no.

Not gonna happen.

All I lost was
the shine in my hair,
a favorite flip-flop,
and the lid to the
gas can.

I figured I could have
lost more weight
kicked back in my recliner
eating granola bars and
watching Cops
than I did killing myself
with a hoe and a weed eater.

Diets aren't fair.
Or fun.

But just like
bad hair
and pimples
and hot flashes
and husbands-
You just gotta live with 'em.

Make the best of it
and take it one day at a time.

I just wish someone
would have told me
that my plateau
was going to be 100 miles wide
and a 100 days long!

All of us here
are after the same thing.

Why is it so hard to find?

Take A Closer Look

The whole problem with food is
that it tastes good.

And, most times, looks good, too.

But what if we could make it
less attractive and less tasty?

Maybe this will help.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
puts out a handbook every year
that establishes acceptable levels
of contaminants in food sources.

Craving spaghetti for dinner?

Well- here's the scoop on that:

MACARONI AND NOODLE PRODUCTS	Insect filth (AOAC 969.41)	Average of 225 insect fragments or more per 225 grams in 6 or more sub samples
	Rodent filth (AOAC 969.41)	Average of 4.5 rodent hairs or more per 225 grams in 6 or more sub samples

And how about topping that with some delicious mushrooms?

MUSHROOMS, CANNED AND DRIED	Insects (AOAC 967.24)	Average of over 20 or more maggots of any size per 100 grams of drained mushrooms and proportionate liquid or 15 grams of dried mushrooms OR Average of 5 or more maggots 2 mm or longer per 100 grams of drained mushrooms and proportionate liquid or 15 grams of dried mushrooms
	Mites (AOAC 967.24)	Average of 75 mites per 100 grams drained mushrooms and proportionate liquid or 15 grams of dried mushrooms
	Decomposition (MPM-V100)	Average of more than 10% of mushrooms are decomposed

Like it with lots of oregano?

OREGANO, GROUND	Insect filth Average of 1250 or more insect fragments per 10 grams
	Rodent filth Average of 5 or more rodent hairs per 10 grams

How about strawberries for dessert?

STRAWBERRIES: FROZEN WHOLE OR SLICED

Mold (AOAC 952.22) Average mold count of 45% or more and mold count of at least half of the subsamples is 55% or more

Lost your appetite?

Me, too!

Be A Cute Little Firecracker- Not A Blubbering Bomb

Last year Americans consumed
150 million hot dogs.

And that was just on the Forth of July.

Add 23 million cases of beer.
Buns.
Potato salad
and apple pie.

No wonder we're all fat!

Hot dog (1 serving)=
242 calories
14.5 grams of fat
670 mg of sodium
18.0 carbs

Bun (1 serving)=
110 cal.
1.5 fat
210 sodium
21.0 carbs

Add 14 calories for pickle relish
and you end up with a
366 calorie sandwich.

Multiply that by the
normal three or four
that I consume while
watching fireworks-
and that's almost
1500 calories!

Not to mention potato salad,
chips, dip, pie, cake,
and bbq!

Ice cream, marshmallow salad,
pasta and macaroni salad,
Cole slaw,
banana pudding and hot wings!

So, this is just a head's up
for the upcoming holiday.

Have fun,
but don't overdo.
Remember the calorie count.
Fill up on ice water and veggies.
Choose fruit over pastry items.
Go easy on the beer.

Let's claim our Independence
from fattening foods.

Let's sparkle,
hold our heads up high,
and continue reaching for
our goals.

36 days to go....