Where you can find me!

Hello.

Looking for me?  Looking for the Technique Tuesday Challenge?  What about Sketch Challenges?  A bit of weight loss/healthy ideas, tips and fun.  How about PRIZES and GIVEAWAYS???

Well then visit me on my new blog ScrapnFIT @ http://www.scrapnFIT.com

Come on over and be INSPIRED!

Tiare.

PS.  Sometimes I get a little overly ambitious and do one too many things and need to just consolidate.  I know you understand.  So, I am trying to stop putting more things on my list of things to do.  Therefore, I have combined my various blogs into one!  Hence, ScrapnFIT.  Please visit for healthy lifestyle and/or scrapbooking ideas, tips and inspiration, challenges and prizes.

Where are My Panties?

Whenever I do the laundry, I don't fold and put my clothes away, right away.  Typically, I just lay them on the bed to fold and hang later.  I lay my husband's out, as well for him to put away when he gets home.  Well, the other day, he happened to grab the laundry and put all of his stuff away before I did.  When I went to put mine away, I was thinking where are my black panties? I know I bought two pair. (I wash before I wear).  So, I asked my dh(dear husband), "Did you see my black panties?"  No, he says.  Are you sure, I ask.  Yep.  Hmmmm?  That's strange.  So of course, I go check the washer and dryer, no black panties.  I say, could you check to see if you accidentally, put them in your drawer?  Afterall, he is a man and doesn't pay that much attention to the details.  LOL!  Well, what do you know, sure enough he had picked them up and placed them in his drawer.  Yes, I scream with glee!  And I just giggle out loud.

Why so overjoyed, you ask?  They're just a pair of black panties?  Well, the story is so much more.  You see my dh has his own black underwear but for him to completely not notice is rare.  Why?  You said he was a man and it was typical to miss the details.  However, it's not so typical when your panties are more like BLOOMERS...which is what he once lovingly called them, big drawers...whatevah!  He would never have mistaken my big briefs for his own.  You see now they are cute little panties!  Woohoo!

Another fun reason to lose weight! No more BIG bloomers!

YAY!

Happy National Watermelon Day

Watermelon, a great, heart-healthy food is 90% water, and the perfect, cool summertime treat!

Here are a few health facts about watermelon:
It has no fat or cholesterol.  It is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, C, potassium and fiber.  It is also a good source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant that is only found in a few red plant foods.

So get a watermelon, slice, chill and enjoy.  And you might want to give this tasty drink recipe, a try.

Watermelon, Raspberry Lemonade

6 cups watermelon cubes (seeds removed)
¼ cup raspberries
1 cup water
1/3 cup sugar (substitute with 2tbsp of Agave for a healthier treat)
½ cup lemon juice 

Place watermelon, raspberries and water in container of electric blender, cover and blend until smooth. Strain through fine mesh strainer into pitcher. Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Makes 4 servings.

Visit the Watermelon Promotion Board for more watermelon recipe ideas here.

Automate Your Eating

Automate your eating. By planning your meals ahead of time you are more likely to stick with the plan. Make it even easier by eating the same thing for breakfast and/or lunch. For example: make salad your daily lunch, vary the ingredients each day. Knowing you will have a salad daily takes more of the guesswork out of planning.

Choose the Right Plan

Be sure to choose a plan that is right for you. Make sure it incorporates a healthy eating plan of at least 3 meals a day, a snack or two and moderate activity. Don’t go for quick and what may seem like an easy plan that requires you to skip meals or provides quick weight loss. These may provide quick results in the beginning but end up taxing your body and can create health problems, weight loss set backs or failure.

Remember you want to develop lifelong, healthy habits, not simply a temporary fix.

By choosing a healthy weight loss plan you'll be setting yourself up for weight loss success.

Weight Watchers is a great place to begin.

No More Insulin!

Cheryl and I have been friends for some years now.  We have had many conversations about health, my health and hers  She cheered me, encouraged me and pushed me along on my journey.  She has shared many laughs and some tears with me.  I have urged her, on many occasions to take better care of herself..to get her diabetes, blood pressure etc. under control.  While she was a wonderful support to me...she had not been to herself.  Well...not until this year,2010!  

I got a call from Cheryl the other day and I could hear the joy in her voice and I asked, “Are you happy?”  Her reply, “Very happy.” With a bit of a giggle.  Hmmm?  What good news is this you must now share?  What is this wonderful smile in your voice?

Here is an excerpt of HER post from the ScrapnFIT forum

Cheryl wrote: 

“3 month Doctor visit today...

I am OFF - DO YOU HEAR ME? --- OFF INSULIN!!!!

Yep, I set the goal to be off insulin by 8/1.

And as of today, 7/30 - Dr. Kim said - I am officially taking you OFF insulin TODAY... Your A1c is 6.4 - down from 6.5 in May.... And you're coming off that water pill that you really don't need and that other high blood pressure pill.  And depending on your cholesterol, you can come off that too - you're down 1/2 dosage on that anyway.

So here are the stats:

B/P - 100/60

Pulse - 60

Temp - 97.6

Weight - up a little - 173

So what did she add?  She added the new diabetes pill - can't remember the name BUT works specifically with MY type of blood sugar spikes - the night time syndrome and an all natural glucose control supplement with cinnamon, gymnema, chromium, zinc, and green tea.

Was this an easy task? No indeedy - by no means has this been easy.  BUT I stick to my guns, I made up my mind that I DESERVE to live a LONG HEALTHY life and I need to do whatever I need to do to see it and make it happen.  Did I give up EVERYTHING?  All of my snacks and goodies?  NO - I eat my potato chips but they are BAKED; I eat cookies but they are fiber rich and super delicious cookies - the Kashi type.  Do I drink juice - NO because I know I LOVE juice and will drink the entire gallon - BUT I also LOVE the fruit that makes the juice, so I eat the fruit and remind myself it is these CHOICES that keep me off insulin and I am willing to make that sacrifice.”

Cheryl and I talk often and celebrate together. I got to hear the happiness in her voice and it simply made my heart full. I cannot even begin to express my joy for her.

All of this after only losing 20lbs!  However, the weight loss and making healthier choices has paid off in less than a year!

Is this journey worth it?  Hell yeh!

Do it now.  Do it for you!

YAY!  

Why Goodbye Lane Bryant?

The reason I created this blog is to share all of the wonderful, positive, happy, often funny aspects of weight loss, to share positive, fun tips and ideas for achieving your weight loss goals. And I hope that you will share yours with me.

So many people I meet lament what they will lose if they try to lose weight. I cannot begin to tell you how many people have said it’s too hard, it must’ve been hard to lose weight, you are working so hard, isn’t it hard? If you believe it’s hard, it will be hard.

Throughout my journey I refused to say, it was hard. I refused to fall into negative thinking and attitudes. Instead, I decided to focus on ALL of the wonderful pieces of this journey. The tasty foods and new recipes I got to try. The joy of movement. The happiness of knowing what my next meal would look like. The thought of wearing smaller clothes, of looking good, of feeling good, of no longer being the big girl in the room.

It makes more sense to focus on how weight loss may help to lower your blood pressure, control your diabetes, lower your cholesterol, lower your meds, strengthen your heart and as a bonus help you get your sexy back! How it will help you feel better, look better, move better, enjoy your life more. And trust me...you will enjoy your life more!

I mean really what exactly is it that you’ll be giving up? Indigestion? Heart Burn? Hurting feet? High blood pressure? Big “more expensive” clothing? A tight seat? Hmmmm?

Is it time for an attitude adjustment? Focus on all that is good about the journey and all of the great new experiences you will have. Be clear, be positive, be strong and for today, let’s just say...”I can do it. I am worth it! I enjoy exercising and healthy eating!” Repeat tomorrow and repeat again.

This is a good journey, with happy results.

Now explore and enjoy the journey!

You can learn more about my journey here.

Happy National Lasagne Day

That's right, it's National Lasagne Day. Lasagne, you ask? But I’m trying to lose weight? Well there is no need to give up all of your favorites. There is a way to have your lasagne and eat it too. Why not give this low-fat, meatless, vegetable lasagne a try! It is chock full of wonderful, colorful vegetables making it a good, healthy, nutritious choice for dinner.

To add even more nutrients, replace white flour lasagne noodles with healthy, hearty whole grain lasagne noodles!

You can pick up the recipe here!

Hitting the Gym

I'm about to hit the gym for my Barbell Strength Class. One of my favorite classes. It's important to get in not only cardio but strength-training during your weight loss journey. This will help to build muscle and prevent or lessen loose skin. At the end of your journey you will be a lean, mean sexy machine! Yea baby!

Start Now!

Get started NOW! The next time you eat, make a better choice. Do ONE good thing for yourself. Do not wait until tomorrow, next week or next year. Make you a priority NOW.

Saying Goodbye!

It’s been about 4 months since I reached my weight loss goal of losing 120lbs and this feeling is still so surreal. I find myself taking a peek at myself in the mirror often...thinking...is that you? Is that really you! LOL!

Although, it’s been fun shopping for this new, SIZE 10 body...size 10...I wear a size 10? Did you just read that? Did I just type that? Wow! I’m a size 10! Hallelujah! I still find myself thinking in larger sizes.

I find myself still looking in the window of Lane Bryant at the mall and I must remind myself that nothing in there will fit me! What? I’ve shopped there for 20 years! It has been my staple. Just today, I finally unsubscribed from getting emails from Lane Bryant! Yay! Goodbye Lane Bryant...Hello World!

I still take an xl and a large in the dressing room, often. That’s when good girlfriends come in handy. I try on a large and think it fits just fine and never even consider a medium. However, on a recent shopping trip a girlfriend brought a large and a medium dress to the fitting room and softly said, “I brought you a medium too...I don’t know...it might fit.” I think it was her way of saying, “Please try on this medium, that large is just a little too big.” Hmmmm? Ok. Well, guess what it fit! Woohoo! Quite nicely at that.

Getting used to the new me will take time and I’m in it for the long haul. However, today I say goodbye to 20 years of my life! To 20 years of discomfort! To PLUS sized clothing, to overeating, to unhappiness! To 20 years of not knowing, not acknowledging, to numbness, to what I thought was comfort.

Today I say GOODBYE to a bit of me.
Today, I again say...GOODBYE LANE BRYANT! HELLO WORLD!


You can read my story here.