Banana Cookies... hmmm? healthy or not?

A few weeks ago I had lots of overripe bananas. I wasn't in the mood for banana bread and I really didn't want to just toss them in the freezer, because truth is, then I forget them and they sit there for years and when I finally do try to use them I don't like dealing with the slimy-ness of thawed bananas. :)
So I went online to try to find some banana cookie recipes.
I was in luck. There were several that I found. First I decided to try the 'healthy' one. It actually did sound really good and was only 44 calories per cookie. It was made with bananas, oats, and not much else. It called for dates but I used cranberries. It didn't have any sugar or flour.
Now you know I love cookies, so when a recipe is called a 'cookie' there is a certain expectation. Well, when u are expecting a 'cookie' this recipe does not deliver :(    If it instead were called 'banana oat blobs' it probably would have been better. They actually taste fine, but they just have no cookie texture. They are super moist (possibly I put too many bananas or didn't cook them long enough), but anyway it was almost a gross moistness because it was like oats in applesauce almost.  Anyway, I didn't like them (and no one in my family did either) so I threw out the recipe.
So the next day I tried another recipe I had found. These had sugar and flour and therefore were more 'normal cookie-like". These wound up being absolutely delicious! In fact my youngest daughter kept referring to them as breakfast cookies and eating them constantly (actually I did too) they were good :)
They are certainly more than 44 calories apiece, but next time I make them I may make some modifications with flax seed, whole wheat flour, apple sauce, and Stevia which will make them more healthy. But truth is, with all those bananas they HAVE to be sort of good for you (right?)  (hopefully)

Here is the recipe (requested by my friend Min who happens to have a recipe blog site you may enjoy)...


Banana Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup of sugar  (in other cookie recipes I use 1/2cup sugar + 5 packets Stevia + 1/4 cup turbino sugar)
                                  (but I haven't tried this modification yet on this recipe)
1 egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 1/2 large bananas)
2 cups flour
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I use more)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I didn't used this bc a lot of reviews didn't like it, instead I used 1/2       teaspoon of allspice)
1 cup pecans or walnuts
(I also tossed in a handful of choc chips=about 1/2 cup)

Preheat ove to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add egg and continue to beat till light and fluffy.

In a bowl, mix the mashed bananas and baking soda. Let sit for 2 minutes. The baking soda will react with the acid in the bananas which in turn will give the cookies their lift and rise.

Mix the banana mixture into the butter mixture. Mix together the flour, salt, and spices and sift into the butter and banana mixture and mix until  just combined.

Fold into the batter the nuts and chocolate chips if using. Drop in dollops onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until nicely golden brown. Let cool on wire racks.

Makes about 30 cookies.

Yum Yum Yum!

Again, I'm not sure if they are really 'healthy' but they sure are good. And considering they really do taste like cookies (cake-type texture) they have got to be healthier than cookies that don't have bananas in them right?
Hope so  ;)

Something to think about

I was reading an article online in the Eat This, Not That franchise and came across this article. What really struck me about all the tips was #12. It really made me think. It also made me think, that if I can consciously focus on this it could be really beneficial to my health.
As a person who loves a 'deal', and always goes for the deal (sometimes even buying things or more of things just because there is a 'deal' going on) this really hit home with me. I love the 'deal' so much and it is so ingrained in my psyche that I will spend an extra 30 minutes in a store (which I don't have, and with whining kids no less) because the salesperson just told me that if I buy another shirt I'll get it for half off (even though I am done shopping, am at the checkout counter, and have already tried on everything in the store that even remotely caught my interest, and I didn't find another shirt.). But because its a 'deal' I'll now go spend time frantically trying on things again, or trying new things that really didn't interest me the first time, just to see if I can find that top, so I can get it for half off. Insane, right? Yes, sometimes I think it is. I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes, there are things in my closet that I really didn't need to buy. And even regret some of those purchases. Sooooo, you can see that to wrap my head around the following 'tip' is going to take alot of willpower, and 'inside my head conversations', like "no, remember I don't need the bigger popcorn, its just extra calories and I'll be full and over-satisfied after the first few handfuls anyway. Stay AWAY from the extra 50cents!".  LOL
So you are probably wondering by now what this 'tip' is, so here it is re-posted from Eat This, Not That...

12 Best Restaurant Weight Loss Tips

Weight Loss Tip #12

Start small

Here’s the good news: No one is going to stop you from ordering seconds. So be like any good businessperson, and start small. Here’s exactly how expensive it really is when you go for the “bargain”:

* 7-Eleven. Gulp to Double Gulp Coca-Cola Classic: 37 cents extra buys 450 more calories

* Cinnabon. Minibon to Classic Cinnabon: 48 more cents buys 370 more calories

* Movie theater. Small to medium unbuttered popcorn: 71 additional cents buys you 500 more calories

* Convenience store. Regular to “The Big One” Snickers: 33 more cents packs on 230 more calories

* McDonald’s. Quarter Pounder with Cheese to Medium Quarter Pounder with Cheese Extra Value Meal: An additional $1.41 gets you 660 more calories

* Subway. The 6- to 12-inch Tuna Sub: $1.53 more buys 420 more calories

* Wendy’s. Classic Double with Cheese to Classic Double with Cheese Old Fashioned Combo Meal: $1.57 extra buys you 600 more calories

* Baskin Robbins. Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Kids’ Scoop, to Double Scoop: For another $1.62, you’ve added 390 calories

The bottom line: For 8 bucks, you’ve bought yourself 3,620 calories. If you eat each of these foods once a week but go with the smaller size—again, your favorite foods, but more reasonable sizes—you’d save about $417 a year. That's enough to put you on a plane to the Bahamas, where you can show off your new body. After all, you’d also save 188,240 calories a year, or 54 pounds of belly fat! It's hard to imagine a better investment.

 

 

 

I always look at it in the 'here and now' version, of how much I'm saving financially right now "It's only $1.53 more for a foot long sub, than a 6" at Subway, so its a better 'deal' to buy the foot long". What I need to do is look more to the future, first of all, that all those 'little increases' DO add up to annual savings, and more importantly, that I don't need or want the extra calories of a larger item!

 

This article made an impact on me, hopefully it helps you too :)

amazing workout

I had an amazing workout today! I was so excited afterwards, because I felt that 'high', that sense of exhilaration when you know you have just had an amazing workout. It felt so great to feel that way again! I haven't felt that way in a long time. In fact, it reminded of me of how I used to feel after EVERY workout back in 2007 when I dropped 20pounds, and 20 inches, in 18 weeks. It felt good. If all my workouts start feeling like this again, I just might start kicking some butt again here in the near future :)
Not to mention I got to punch the punching bag today, and if I've never told you before, I LOVE punching that bag! I don't know what it is about it, but it pumps me up bigtime!
Anyway, just a quick note to say I hope I get some more workouts like this, because if so, this will be the kick I need to drop these 10 pounds I wouldn't mind dropping ;)

mother's Day

Happy Day Pink Mother's Day 5x7 folded card

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Little muscles?

I guess I've always been trying to strike a pose and show my bicep muscles...
its just a shame they never seem to want to come out and be seen  ha ha ha.

Found this picture of my brother and I from 1975 when I was 5 years old and he was 10, on a shoreline in Michigan. How cute is that?

p.s. I told you I was always a 'tow-head', see why I want to keep dying my hair blond? I'm trying to keep my youth lol ;0

Bodyfat% and BMI...oh my!

I thought that title kinda of rhymed, didn't it?  :0

Well, I am still at 150 (so 5 pounds less than when I posted my weight survey). I haven't been doing anything spectacular. Just typical workouts at the gym (which have changed due to new instructors), and my treadmill and/or AMT work every morning. I've been on the 'running' program I told you about earlier where I may not run 5 miles STRAIGHT, but I do cover 5 miles with bursts of running and walking. That being said, I've been doing good... I've been doing between 4-8miles everyday.
The thing I haven't changed much is my eating.
We still have been eating out 4 nights a week (and no matter how much you try to order the best thing on the menu, home cooked food I think is always going to be less calories and fat). So even though our whole family likes eating out, myself included, I don't know that its the best thing for us.
I'm not gorging myself on m&m's or chips, but I'm not eating 100% healthy snacks either. (Side note: I am happy to say I have NOT bought Easter candy, and am planning not to. I already have goodies like t-shirts and books and toys for their baskets, so I'm really hoping not to succumb to the pressure of the Easter candy aisle and buy that stuff. Because if its in our house, I will eat it.)
My plan of attack right now is to begin a more conscious focus on what I'm eating. I KNOW from past experience that this is where my downfall (weight gain) comes from. Now don't forget, I am still HAPPY. But I still want to reach my goals. My goal is to get back to 140 so all my clothes fit baggier (I like baggy clothes). I know I can't do a restrictive 'diet' though to attain this. That always backfires for me. I wind up craving and then go right back up , ever hear the term yo-yo?
So I am trying to just redirect my choices and that even means not ALWAYS having to go out to eat EVERY Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sunday. In fact, last night was Thursday and I cooked a really healthy 400 calorie meal for me and the girls (Dan would not have liked it-he hates frozen fish, but he was golfing, so instead of taking that as a night to eat pizza or other junky stuff with the girls-like I normally do-I took it as a night to make something healthy that isn't his favorite. Good choice I think). Tonight is Friday, and we should be going out, but I have a pork loin already thawed that we didn't use this week because we ended up eating one night at his parent's house, so we are staying home and having that instead. Now I know we'll go out Saturday and Sunday, but at least every little bit helps and I think it really did. I have been consistently 150 for about a month now, even sometimes hovering above 150, like the needle is on the '0' heading towards 151. But today it was actually hovering in the other direction, so with a few more days of better choices I bet that will start heading towards 149... and that will be really good, because you know any time you see some progress it always motivates you to do more (at least that is how it works with me).

Well, I know you are reading this because of the title, so I will continue. One of the instructors at the gym mentioned that they can do free fat test percentages so I signed right up. I KNOW the number isn't going to be great, but I wanted to get the NUMBER so that I have something to compare to when I reach my goal, then ideally it will be a really cool 'fact' of progress.

So here goes, my BMI (body mass index) is 22.8
My percentage of body fat right now at 150 pounds is 26.9%

18.5-24.9 is normal BMI range, so I am pretty much in the middle, just a tad over. Seems pretty fine.

On http://www.healthchecksystems.com/ it says that athletes are 14-20%, a fitness level for a woman is 21-24%, and  acceptable is 25-31%. So I'm falling into the 'acceptable' range. However, following their little demonstration, it looks like if I lose 10 pounds and get to 140, that I should be at 21.6% which would put me into the 'fitness' level.
My plan is to take this test again when I reach 140 to see what it is for comparison purposes, but I guess I can also see if it will match the results of the formula I just used too.

Either, I need to acheive this goal in one month, or I will have a "where I am now" number as well on May 1st, because my instructor said we are doing it again in one month to track progress. I told I just want the final results, but she was like 'no,no,no, we are going to monitor it!" ha ha. So anyway, I'll either have a final update or a 'on the way there' update to post about on May 1st.
Hopefully it will be good. Really its just one more tool to make sure I'm not getting lazy or getting crazy lol

Question for you...eat before or after working out?

I've read and heard several different views on this.
Do you eat before or after a workout?
Some theories say you should work out on an empty stomach because then you are burning fat instead of burning what you just ate.
However, in contradiction to this, there is a belief that in order to keep your metabolism up, you need to eat within 30 minutes of waking up. The reason is because you have gone all night with no food and if you go much longer, your body starts to kick into 'starvation mode' where your body 'holds' onto fat instead of burning it, because it doesn't know when the next refueling/meal is coming. The normal day on this theory includes eating small meals every few hours to keep the 'fuel' coming, so your body is NOT in 'starvation mode' and thus NOT holding onto the fat, its burning it for fuel instead. The key to keeping this metabolism boosting theory working is to definately eat when you are hungry (that's your body saying refuel me, I need to burn calories) and if you don't eat, your body holds onto the fat incase it doesn't get any fuel.
I've tried to do this theory a bit and have even been known to wake up in the morning starving, and instead of laying in bed I'll run to the kitchen and grab a handful of blueberries to give my body some 'fuel' and then go back to bed to lay in bed and chat with my hubby. But I feel better doing that because I'm thinking "ok, I fed you body, don't kick into starvation mode and hold onto anything".

However,
some theories say you need to eat a bit before you work out so that you have the nutrition/stamina for the workout, (and this goes right in line with the metabolism boosting/eat every few hours theory).

What do you believe and what do you do?

I tend to do a bit of both.
I usually wake up at 5:30am and go to the treadmill or AMT to get a minimum of 30minutes to a maximum of 90minutes in before my kids wake up. Then I eat a bowl of cereal (non-sugary kind like cheerios/corn flakes/rice crispies/etc) with fresh blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries on top, and with organice skim milk.  If I don't eat cereal, I may eat oatmeal with about a tablespoon of brown sugar (I should try Stevia or Agave nectar or honey, but haven't yet). Or, if I don't eat that, it may be two pieces of whole grain toast with peanut butter (protein to prepare for my classes at the gym).
Breakfast is at about 7:30am, and my gym class starts at 9am. After class at about 10:30 I usually eat a energy bar (different varieties, some high in protein at 200 calories, and some not high in protein, but lower in calories at about 120calories per bar). I'm often feeling a bit weak and shaky after class so I eat the bar, if I feel fine, then I wait till I get home and eat lunch at about 11:30am-noon.
So I tend to workout first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, but then for my second workout I am doing it on a light meal.
What do you do and why?
What theory do you think is right?

Running with Rene' and T

My daughter, in an effort to increase her endurance for soccer, has taken our advice and started running. :)
She is doing really good and I am excited for her. I hope she winds up liking it. Right now I'm trying to teach her how to hit heel to toe on her foot strikes, because currently she seems to just be banging them straight down with a loud whack, which is causing sore calves. Also we have been running on the asphalt (which always makes my calves sore too) so I suggested we may want to run in the grass or even on the treadmill. She is doing really  well and I told her if she wanted to do the Aquarium 5K this spring that I would do it with her. She was very excited by that and hopefully we can do it together.  :)

cookies finally gone

I made a lot of my favorite cookies for a school fundraiser. They didn't all sell, so of course I had to bring them home. I just finished the last one today.... so I now can finally get a little more serious about my snacking habits and hopefully see some results on the scale. Still about 150, but am aiming for 140.  I'll keep u posted :)

Resisting the temptation-hooray!

Tonight isa bakesale fundraiser at my daughter's school. I have been busy busy busy baking and making chocolate covered goodies for this event. I've made cranberry/white choc chip cookies, semi-sweet and milk chocolate chip cookies, no-bake cookies, chocolate chip pecan cookies, chocolate covered oreos, chocolate covered peanuts, white chocolate covered peanuts, and white chocolate covered pretzel stacks. That's a lot of sugar infused treats to be in my house at one time and I have to say.... today I passed the test. I made most of the chocolate items earlier (they stay fresh longer), but I made the cookies today (because a good cookie is only good if its fresh and to me if its over a day old its no longer fresh). While I was making these cookies today I only ate 2 cookies (normally I can gobble a half dozen before I am done baking!) And one of these was just to test it to make sure the flavor was spot on. Well, after I had made all the batches I decided to sit down with a non-perfect warm one (one of my favorites, pecan/chocolate chip) and eat it with a tall glass of milk. I poured my milk. Took my crooked cookie, and sat at the table to gaze out the window and enjoy a few peaceful minutes eating my cookie.



Lots and lots of bake sale items



But a very strange thing happened. I sat there and sort of felt sick to my stomach (the way I feel AFTER eating 6-8 cookies). I thought to myself, you know this is what I always wish WOULD happen (get the stuffed uncomfortable feeling BEFORE I slide, so that I don't slide.) Well, it finally happened, I felt yucky before eating it instead of after (when its too late and regret it), so I stopped. Looked at that cookie. Looked at my milk. And decided to not eat the cookie. This really is unheard of for me and not anywhere close to my normal behavior. So I consciously took the moment to think about it and decide to make the right choice. Why eat something if you know you are going to feel like crap afterwards? Its only worth it, if it has a positive consequence, not a negative one. I have no idea if this is a one-time fluke or if I'm onto something mentally. But I chose to forego my cookie today and I'm glad I did. 



Cute stickers I put on each baggie. Aren't they adorable?



This is my undrank glass of milk and all those beautiful cookies just waiting to be sold and make some moolah for our school :)

Progress

Using this space to sort of track what I'm doing.  Still haven't done a workout tape lately, but my hips are getting sore from running so I may do that Fri instead of running. Tuesday I did  4.5 miles, and yesterday I did 8.75 combined miles (4.5 on the AMT and 4.25 on the treadmill, plus a 3mile walk outside with my good friend Jen). Today I got in 3.5 on the treadmill.
I'm still at 150, so I know in order to see some real results I need to make some wiser eating decisions (fried green beans at Louie's probably shouldn't be one of my choices. They were tasty though and I wanted to try them ). I will keep you posted. Summer is coming and that means being at the pool every day, so I'd like to be in good swimsuit condition, plus we have a trip to Vegas planned for June and since my hubby will be golfing every day I'd like to feel comfortable sitting at the pool with all those young whipper-snappers who will probably be there :)
So that's my progress, still working on it.

beautiful breeze

I've been keeping up with my running on the treadmill, doing at least 3.5 miles a day. However, I am finding it really hard to work in those BL and Jillian workout tapes. I am consistently using my weighted hula 20+minutes at least every other day, sometimes more (this is an easy exercise to squeeze in because I don't have to be in gym clothes to do it and it doesn't make me sweat so I don't have to shower after).
Sunday morning before church I had an amazing (albeit short) run on the treadmill with all the windows open. It felt so nice to have that cool morning breeze blowing on me and smelling the spring air even though I was inside. I'm going to need to remember to do that more often, it was great!
Haven't really improved my eating much lately, which I know is what holds me back. I have a huge bakesale to prepare for this week, so I know I'll be nibbling as I'm baking, but after that I am hoping to really start making wiser food choices so I can see some results on the scale and in the fit of my jeans :)  Summer is coming!

finished strong

Today I didn't start my day with my workout as I normally do. Instead, since my hubby was off work we didn't set an alarm and we slept in. Then after taking my oldest to school, my youngest daughter and I sat and read books for well over an hour together. Throw in a quick trip to the hairdresser to get her hair cut, then lunch, and it was off to school for her. It was a beautiful day today so I wanted to exercise outside, so after dropping her off I took a 30 minute bike ride, then came back home and grabbed my dog and went for a 1.5 mile walk/jog with her. The problem was, these bits of exercise didn't seem like enough (it was already warm enough that it was harder to run outside than I had hoped). Consequently, I was feeling a little down-trodden, like I hadn't gotten enough of a good workout in for the day, especially knowing that my hubby was going to be out late at the carshow so the girls would want to watch a movie and eat junkfood tonight. Wasn't feeling too good about my lack of effort.
But....
after I finished the dog walk, I went and hopped on the treadmill and then cooled down on the AMT. I'm happy to now say I finished strong!
30minute bike ride
6.5 miles covered outside/treadmill/AMT combined
yeah!

6-pack in 6 weeks

Ok, so I've got a new goal. My fitness life seems to be a constant journey. A bit up and down (which I am trying to stop), but a continual process, none-the-less. Therefore, I sometimes get bored or worn out from doing the same things over and over. Other times I'm so motivated I'm like the energizer bunny going, going, and going. I'm trying to stop that up and down cycle and maintain more of an even-keel in my fitness.

 As you know from my recent posts I've gained some weight.

 I'm still happy,

 but I know I need to get back into better shape... love handles are beginning to appear and my tummy is starting to want to stick out (not to mention my REAL problem areas of my butt and thighs being bigger than I like and therefore making certain pants too tight in those areas). So I am on a new plan to get my body re-energized and get back to where I prefer to be (140, 145 at the most).

I have been doing some sort of exercise, whether it be a class at the gym, the treadmill, outdoor running or biking, the AMT, or an aerobic DVD, 6-7 days a week for over 8 years. It honestly shocks me when my gym-rat buddies (yes, this is you, Jen) tell me that they have gone a whole week and only worked out once (this isn't normal for her, but she went through a spell many months ago where she just couldn't find the time to fit it all in). Anyway, when I'd hear that, I'd really be speechless. I have been doing this for so long, that I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't on this schedule. Its crazy, but its just part of my life. Its something normal and expected , and routine for me. Which might be part of the problem sometimes. It sometimes becomes so routine, that I begin to get bored and lose interest which results in less effort and consequently less results. However, I am re-energized to (not go to a super High -no more yo-yo's remember- but to get back on track to get some results). My plan for this is to increase my running.

When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I began running. Just 2 minutes at a time. But I slowly worked it up to 5 min, 8min, 10min, 15min, then 20min. After I reached the 20minute mark I began running more and more. It felt great to be reaching these goals I had never dreamed of reaching, (because if you didn't know, I used to HATE running. I was on the h.s. track team one year and HATED it the whole time. I was the absolute slowest person in every race (except 2), and it hurt my shins so bad. However, I never quit, because I'm not a quitter.)  Well, anyway, the first time I reached 5 miles, then 8 miles it was incredible. Then a friend told me I should run the --------Run. It was a 10mile run I think. I ran it, and LOVED it! I had only planned on running 5k, then walking and taking a break, then running/walking the remainder. But, I missed the 5k marker, so when I came upon the 6k marker I was like "I already went farther than I planned and I feel great, I'll just go to the next marker and see how I feel." I told myself I could stop and walk, but only once I reached a marker. Funny thing was that at every marker I felt good so I just continued on to the next one. I ended up running the whole race which totally surpassed my personal plan/goal and it was awesome. So then I figured if I can run 10, how hard could 13 be? A half-marathon was scheduled 2 weeks later, so I ran it. Its amazing what you can do when you try.

Anyway, this post isn't about running, so to summarize this, I ran a second Half marathon and then began training for my first marathon. I really wanted to acheive that but I found that when I was training for it I began to dislike running. I was putting too much pressure on myself for it and it wasn't fun anymore. I just couldn't will myself to do it when it was no longer fun. I wound up cancelling the marathon and pretty much quit running for about a year and a half after that. I'd jog (slowly) for a mile or two, but nothing long or serious. About a year ago, I was looking through my running log when I realized this (this lack of running) and realized I needed to pick it back up. So that is what I have been doing I've started REALLY running when I'm on my treadmill, not just lolly-gagging and getting only 1-2 miles in. I have found though that I tend to mentally get defeated when I run and get tired and want to take a break but don't. So in order to combat this I took a que from some different training methods out there and decided to set my treadmill programs up where I run a minute, then walk a minute, run, walk, run, walk, etc. I've found this new routine is working really good for me right now. I also set another program where I run about 10 minutes, then walk about 5, then run 10 again. I've found that just about the time I am ready to yell "Mercy!" the treadmill kicks back down to the 'walk' and gives me that break I need, then I'm ready for the next run and I get right back at it.

So all this background info, to say, that is the type of running I am doing right now to acheive my goal of getting back to 140 and toning up my mid-section again. I also am finally using REGULARILY my weighted hula-hoop (thanks Jen and Cindy for getting me back on track with this) so we will see if that helps with results as well. I have also picked up some Jillian Michaels and Biggest Loser Last Chance workout DVDs to intersperse into my workouts, as well as my gym classes. Hopefully with these new plans I will not be as bored and get back on track. Jillians DVD is "6pack in 6 weeks" so that is my first goal. Based on my body-type and how I gain/lose weight, if I get my six pack back, the other areas will get back in shape too, so it will be a total-body recovery. I'm going to give u pictures along the way to see if we can SEE any progress. You know (yes u can laugh Jen) that my ultimate triumph is when I can wear my favorite cute purple shorts again lol, so of course that is the final goal :) and a picture will of course be granted when that happens. :)

Here is my first picture, which by the way was taken 2/16/11 and I am at 150.

You can see I've got the definition (good genes I think) to get my tummy in line (I love those lines on the side and that one at the top), but I want to get rid of the little love handles forming and of course u can't see my butt and thighs yet (ha ha----later folks you'll get a pix after I get some preliminary results, I don't want to scare you with the current situation!)

So there u have it, my plan for the next 6 weeks and a starting point picture.  No matter what though, I want you to know I AM HAPPY. I hope you are too in whatever workout regime you are currently in. That's all folks!

Results of the survey & proof of my theory

Ok, its time for the follow-up post to the 'how much do I weigh' question. If you are reading this, you will also see that I did a 'not what I was expecting' post which you may enjoy reading as well, since it pertains to the original post too and addresses some things I hadn't foreseen.

Anyway, the results are in and I want to thank all of you who were willing to participate. I know it wasn't easy for all of you (in fact, lots visited the site but didn't comment). I myself thought it would be a lot easier than evidently it was, however when my friend, Jen, tossed the question back at me and made me guess HER weight (even though we frequently TELL each other our weights) I myself was struck with how hard this could be for some people. You don't want to guess too high (and offend), but yet you want to be accurate, so you can't guess too low either or that would be a waste. Anyway, I once again want to thank those of you who DID reply because your replies were exactly what I thought they would be. They completely prove my point. First off, let me share the results...

These were the results I received on the survey...


146
140-145
153 (most accurate because Jen knows me so well: smile)
143
147
133 (the only guy to reply: that tells you something, guys think you weigh WAY less than you really do!)
145
125 (haven't seen this since high school, but thanks for the vote of confidence Jennifer lol)
140-145
145-ish
135-145
low to mid 150's
130-135 (Sugarberry u should be scolded for guessing so low, u are a 'follower' so u should know the last time I saw 135 was in 2007  ha ha)
150


Only 3 of these replies were even close to my actual weight.

My actual weight when those pictures were taken was...

(drumroll please lol)






155


That's right. One hundred and fifty-five.

Which only goes to prove what I believed all along...

We are much harder on ourselves than those around us are.

You may be struggling with some health/weight issues, but those around you don't see what you see. They are seeing you in a much more positive light than you give yourself credit for. This doesn't just apply to me. I have a friend who recently told me that she reached 170 recently. I never would have guessed it. Looking at her I would have honestly pegged her for 150, maybe 155  (she is shorter than me, which of course always makes it harder to guess when u are guessing someone who is a different height than yourself) -but regardless... I was wrong. And so were all of you!

We as women need to learn to be happy IN the moment, instead of always looking to a future goal or a previous moment for our happiness. I have written about this before on here, but how many times have you or someone you've known been at a weight, and instead of being HAPPY in that moment, were unhappy because they either weren't to their goal yet (something in the future), or they were heavier than a previous weight (the past). This has happened to me. I remember when I reached 140. I was so bummed out and only focused on the 120-125 of the past. Well, after I passed 140, how many times did I look back and think "wow how many wasted years did I have there of uncontentment?? if only I'd been happy then, because wow, I sure would be happy NOW if I was back at 140!"

That's the thing, we can't always look to our happiness to either be in the future or the past.

We need to learn to be happy RIGHT NOW!  I'm not saying this is an easy thing to do (it honestly has taken me a full year to get this thoroughly INSIDE my head. Not just coming out of my mouth (because I have been SAYING it for a year), but REALLY believing it and living it every day. That is why I wanted to do this survey so that I could prove to you that nothing is as bad as you may sometimes think it is. This applies to all areas of life, but yes, this is a fitness blog so we are going to focus on the fitness aspect. Chances are you look better than you give yourself credit for. Chances are you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Chances are you are faster or can run longer than you give yourself credit for. Its amazing the things we can do when we really HAVE to.
I know you can do it. I know you can do anything you set your mind to because God instilled in all of us a sense of purpose. (I have another blog where I share my faith and I usually save any posts that relate to scripture for that blog but God's word applies to everything we do and its really hard to not point that out because...) The truth is, God made you. He made your body. Your body is a temple to Him. He thinks its beautiful. So who are we to think any different?

And if you are worried about the opposite sex... did you notice that the only guy who replied was so far off (underguessing) that those few pounds that stress you out are probably not stressing out your mate at all! So please, take what I have learned from this journey over this past year and try to begin living it in your life as well. Now some of you may not be struggling with this, this sense of unhappiness, or discontentment. But a good friend I know, Pastor Chris, always says he's preaching from the heart because he wouldn't be preaching to us about it if he wasn't preaching to himself because he is or has gone through it too. Its so true. We can teach from what we know. If we have experienced it, we can help others. You don't go to a divorced person for marital advice, nor do you go to a bankcrupt person for financial advice. Go to someone who can try to lead you in the right direction because of what they have experienced. And believe me, I have been experiencing this sense of discontentment with my weight for 22 years. I decided I didn't want to waste another day living like that and so a year ago I really began focusing on being happy and content with where I was at THAT moment. My close workout buddies can attest to this. I no longer am on a single-minded quest for perfection, I am happy with where I am. I still work out and I still try to eat right (always a journey, remember?) , but by consciously working on fixing the inside (my feelings), I am fixing the outside too. I am a better mom because I am not so stressed out and angry about not acheiving a scale goal, I am a better wife because if I feel better about myself I have more to offer my husband in all arenas of our relationship together, and I am a better friend because I care more about how a person feels now instead of just cheering for them to attain a certain number on the scale.  Some of you commented that the scale isn't important to you anyway, its just how your clothes fit that matters. I agree. I want my clothes to fit good. But even if they aren't perfect, I no longer berate myself and beat myself up internally over it. I simply try to regroup and refocus, all the while being HAPPY that I am here today and I have a wonderful family and friends around me, and that I am thankful for all that God has given to me through His son, Jesus Christ.  I did the survey so that I could write this post with 'proof' to back it up. Proof that your happiness needs to come from inside you. You need to be able to say "no matter what, I am happy". If  you were one of those people who was experincing discontentment or unhappiness because of your weight I hope you will receive something positive from this post. Know that you are your most critical judge, those around you are not critiquing you the way you are yourself. So increase your sense of happiness by knowing that its really up to YOU on how you feel. Others will always think more positively than you do of yourself, so if you can make YOUR thoughts positive as well its a win-win situation for you.

I know I sort of rabbit-trailed here. (Anytime I start talking about God I can go in all kinds of directions! lol). But this post was intended to show you that others are going to perceive you more positively than you  might think, so go ahead and BE HAPPY with what you have and where you are! Improvement doesn't have to stop, you just need to keep being happy during your 'improvement process'  ;)

I hope this was a help to someone out there, and not just me. Because putting myself on the chopping block needs to rewarded with someone gaining some of the same insight I've gained this past year and applying it in their lives. Its time to go, kids are almost home, I hope you have a very Blessed day and a positive experience from this post.  :)

Didn't know it would have this effect

Ok, I'm writing this shortly after my last post (the one about the weight guess), but I'm not going to post it until I'm done with the survey.
But here is something I didn't expect...
When I was getting no replies at first, I was really bummed. I wanted people to reply because I feel confident that these replies are going to prove a point I want to make to women. I was tempted to re-post some encouragement to get folks to answer... like
"please do this, its not going to offend me if you guess higher than I am"
"Don't guess lower than you really think, just to try to flatter me"
"No, I'm not selling 'miracle jeans that make u look lighter than u really are' ha ha"
"Don't avoid this survey, because you don't want to get involved in what u are perceiving is self-absorbtion (when I post my follow-up you will see this is going to be positive for everyone, not a pat on the back to me)"
"Please partake in this survey regardless of your lifestyle-even if you aren't a gym-rat or health-crazed nut"
"Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not posting pix of me to boost my self-esteem, actually it could hurt it". But that's not what this is about, so I'm hoping that won't happen. I really want it to be about the second post that I make. But I have to do the research on the first post in order to get the results for the second post.
Anyway, if I don't get more replies I may do a follow up request post of some sort, but for now I am going to try to lay low and wait it out.


The other thing I didn't expect was my anxiety about opening a reply when one finally came in (thanks Mindy for being the first!).  I didn't expect to have that hesitation about what people were going to say. I really just wanted a cut and dry answer, but since most people who get this will know me, I guess it made it more personal and therefore I opened myself up for some potential 'hurt' if people said anything mean. When I got that first reply I realized it was sort of personal (which is why some people may not do the survey) and which I didn't expect at all. Because the follow-up post really isn't personal, its general to all women so this is just my 'research' in order to prove the follow up point. But anyway, I guess I'm human so I did get a weird feeling when I began to get replies. 

Hopefully, this whole thing will work out and I can prove my point instead of blowing up in my face and being a train wreck. Fingers crossed.


1/26/11
Ok, I'm going to go ahead and post this now because I am about to tally the results and post my 'follow-up post'.  Just decided that these thoughts that went through my head were worth sharing as well (because we are all human) and I thought it might help some of you too. It also sort of addresses why only got 14 replies, yet I had over 50 visitors to the site.  Hmmm, makes me think some of you were feeling the things I mentioned above (??) maybe you didn't want to get involved, didn't want to hurt me, or didn't realize that this was just the research to something much bigger and more important than how much I really weigh.
I realized today when reading a comment a stranger made to my friend about this survey that I really did open myself up for a ego blow. But I took a step back and thought about what was said, and reminded myself that I knew going in this could be bad, I was just willing to take the risk because as I said before
 I AM HAPPY,
and that means my weight or what others think of me or my weight aren't going to change that. Therefore, I was willing to take the risk and put myself out there for all the world to see (but not in a swimsuit ha ha-I wasn't THAT crazy!) so that I could hope to try to bring some insight and encouragement to others. So here goes, I'm posting this, and off to write the follow-up posting.  Again, thanks for participating

How much do you think I weigh?

Ok, so if you know me in real life or have been following this, you know that I have pretty much finally grasped this new way of life that appreciates where I AM, instead of being unhappy because I'm not at a specific goal. This isn't to say that thoughts don't come into my head that say,  'yea, that would look better if I was 5 or 10 pounds lighter', or 'hmm, should I eat this salad, or some pringles?'  It is a process you know, just like most things in life, we grow in them and grow stronger as we go. But as we go, we get stronger by making better choices, or choices that help our plan/goal and don't hinder it. That being said, I am not at my lightest, and not even at my preferred goal. But I am pretty happy anyway. In fact, I took some pictures and I want you to comment and let me know what you think I weigh based on these pictures.
I think when the results are in, I will be able to share something with you that will not only help prove what I've been saying for over a year, but will also help others who are on a path to improving their health.
I will give you this info to aid you in your vote...
I am 40 years old. I am 5'8".
Please partake in my project and cast your vote. How much do you think I currently weigh?
Post your comments on this blog please. If you don't have a google account, you can post a comment 'anonymously' and just sign your name at the end of it if you want me to know who you are. Or if you are like my mom and can't figure out how to 'comment' on a blog you can leave your comment on FB because I am going to put a link to this on there to try to get lots of responses.

P.S. These pictures aren't the best quality. It was too dark in my closet to get a good full length picture, so just do your best to guess. I did take pictures of my normal 'problem areas' (ie hips/butt) so you have close-ups of the part that shows my weight the most to help you in your guess. I guess next time I should have taken them in a better lit room with a full length mirror. Sorry.

you want some of these guns?

Did I tell u I've been working out really hard lately?
Finally, results!!!
Lol

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Grasping the Concept

Some of you may be wondering where I have been. (or maybe not ha ha). Anyway, just been busy with life and now that the 'newness' of blogging has worn off its not near the top of my list. I actually wouldn't even be on here writing this (because I have more important things to do with my family, and hence the reason its not near the top of my list---not that it was ever above my family u understand, but since the newness is gone its not pushing itself up there stealing my time as much anymore). So anyway, BUT... I wanted to share with u where I am because I feel its important. I think its healthy, and I think its good.
So that being said... no, I haven't dropped a ton of weight and entered a modeling contest for the boniest 40 year old on the  planet. :)    In fact, I've actually gained weight. BUT... I'm pretty ok. In fact, I'm good. I am finally absorbing into my attitude and outlook all the things I've been saying with my mouth over the past 9 months or so... and that is... JUST BE HAPPY!
I've said it before, it seems women are never happy with their weight, but yet they always wish they were x number of pounds lighter, BUT when they WERE x number of pounds lighter they weren't happy then either because they wanted to be Y number of pounds lighter!    Well, I am not at my lightest, I am not even really at my 'pretty normal' weight (it is the holidays u know?)  but I'm happy. And I don't want to spend all (or actually ANY) of my time talking about weight, food choices, or denied foods with anyone.  There I said it. I am tired of talking about weight and food.  I mean it.   There is more to life than this, and I am going to live my life enjoying life and enjoying my family, and NOT thinking in my head all the time about this stuff. If anyone doesn't like me for this. oh well.  I think you will find I am an actually better and  happier friend, wife, and mother when I am not beating myself up over weight and food. I am not obese. I am not huge. I am not unhealthy. I am not hideous to look at. I am normal. I hope everyone accepts that. I think they will. There is one person who doesn't want my attitude to give me free reign to hop on the chocolate cookie induced fat train. But don't worry, I'm not taking this to the extreme. I'm not saying get me the Big Mac and the shake, in fact make it a double and lets pack on the pounds. No, I'm just saying I'm sick of highs and lows, I am just going to stay here in the middle and enjoy life and myself. I'm not taking it easy. I'm not giving up. I'm not a wimp. I still work out 6 days a week doing running, treadmill, weights, and classes. I still try to make healthy food choices BECAUSE they are healthy for me, NOT because I want to deprive myself of something. In fact, there isn't much deprivation because my attitude has changed. If I don't eat it its because I don't want it, not because I'm depriving myself. If I do eat it (Bang Bang Shrimp I love you) its because I want to and I'm living a normal life where people do indulge some, but we just make some adjustments in other choices to cover the big indulgences.

So there u basically have it. I'm not going to keep going on about this because honestly I don't want to be on the computer, I want to go play with my daughter. But if u are around me, don't think I'm being rude if I change the subject when talk turns to 'dieting'. Its just not something I feel is worth talking about anymore, and I don't want my young girls to overhear those conversations. Even though I've tried to make sure they don't hear much (because I want them to have healthy body images), I'm sure they've still heard some, because even if its not coming out of my mouth I can't say how often it comes out of the mouths of women any time they get together, no matter what the circumstance of the gathering may be.  So, this is why I won't be partaking in those conversations anymore and I will either change the subject or remove myself from the situation. Hope u all understand. Happiness is better than a number on the scale. Happiness makes for a better mother, a better wife, and even a better lover. If you aren't happy with your situation, you aren't confident, and being unconfident in the bedroom is a real buzz killer. Just ask my husband :) In the past we've had several nights where my unhappiness with MY body ruined the fun we could have had together. So I'm just saying, it took me awhile to fully grasp this concept. (I knew it and said it, but didn't really get it into my heart and soul until now), if you can grasp this concept too, it might be something good for u. Its been good for me.   Talk to ya later gals! Rene'

coming clean

You are probably not wondering, but I'll tell u anyway, I deleted all those posts from July that had the yucky pictures in them. They were just depressing and I didn't want to see them anymore. So if u got a chance to see them before I deleted them u know I'm not perfect, but if you didn't you'll just have to trust me ha ha. Anyway, good riddence!