October brings Pumpkin Waffles (low-fat recipe)

It's October and Fall begins! I always feel like using pumpkin in my recipes during this time of year. This morning, I decided to try the recipe that was shared by Cindy L. at W.O.W. weight loss support group last Fall. After all, this recipe is 173 calories a serving and the pumpkin combines with spices and an orange twist which is mouth-watering to say the least! I'm glad I saved this recipe & I think you'll be happy to try it too.

Even better, I found it shared online from CraftyLady13 on Food.com:

Pumkin Waffles with Orange Syrup

I did make a few slight changes which made it seem more filling by using only one and a half cups of white flour and a half cup of 100% whole wheat flour. I used eggs and not an egg product. I didn't have pumpkin pie spice so I made my own blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.

Hope you'll like it! Be sure to tell us what you think of this recipe by making a comment.

Little Things

A couple of years ago, I received a homemade card in the mail from my cousin, Jen. It was so cute with light blue paper, colorfully stamped butterflies and flowers on a white background but the saying that was on the card has creased itself in a corner of my brain. It read: It’s the little things that matter.
So, it’s not unusual, that I’ve been thinking about this statement during these last few weeks of struggles with food, lack of motivation to exercise leading to less energy. I’ve come to realize how true this simple statement is. It is the little things that matter. I need to be ever diligent when it comes to my health because it truly has to be a way of life for me.
So, when I have little triumphs such as not buying the candy bar that I can’t take my eyes off of or when I make healthier choices while I’m shopping in general, I can feel happy about this. I need to use these tiny good choices as motivation to make more small good choices to help me maintain my healthy living. So, if I only have 10-20 minutes to exercise and instead of thinking I don’t have time - I take it! I exercise for as long as I can. It can seem like a race! I own up to these little amounts of time and I use them.
After all, it can be those little things added up that will end up making the biggest difference on the scale. At least, this is the way it has worked out for me with losing weight in general.

Water: when to drink up!

So often when it comes to people talking about losing weight they always mention "Drink More Water!" I've thought about this a lot too. It always helps to have a few ideas that are more specific to aide in this goal of drinking more water. I recently was sent this article from my friend, Cathy, in an e-mail. I'm not sure exactly how factual this information might be but I thought that, perhaps, it couldn't hurt to have a drink at these specified times. I have also followed up with an article from WebMD about water & weight loss. I hope you'll find these articles encouraging to help you "Drink More Water!" After all, I realize drinking water is beneficial.


Her E-mail read:

WHEN to Drink WATER.........................


Correct Time to Drink Water....

This is interesting!!

I knew you need your minimum water to flush the toxins out of your body, but this was news to me.

Correct Time to Drink Water....Very Important From A Cardiac Specialist!

Drinking water at certain time maximizes it's effectiveness on the body:


2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs

1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion

1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure

1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack

***

WebMD article: Water May Be Secret Weapon in Weight Loss

Food Chart

Ever wonder how basic foods benefit you? I came across this food chart and I thought I'd share it with you since it shares some great information like that.
I apoplogize that Blogger isn't helping me keep it in a chart form so this will turn out more like a list which I hope you'll still find useful.
Thanks, as always, for your attention here at the W.O.W. blog. We've not been able to meet lately due to many scheduling conflicts and many members being too busy. For me, I have really missed the weight loss support and I hope to get our group meeeting once again. I'll be keeping you posted.


Apples
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Blocks diarrhea
Improves lung capacity
Cushions joints

Apricots
Combats cancer
Controls blood pressure
Saves your eyesight
Shields against Alzheimer's
Slows aging process

Artichokes
Aids digestion
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Guards against liver disease

Avocados
Battles diabetes
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Smooths skin

Bananas
Protects your heart
Quiets a cough
Strengthens bones
Controls blood pressure
Blocks diarrhea

Beans
Prevents constipation
Helps hemorrhoids
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Stabilizes blood sugar

Beets
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Protects your heart
Aids weight loss

Blueberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Boosts memory
Prevents constipation

Broccoli
Strengthens bones
Saves eyesight
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure

Cabbage
Combats cancer
Prevents constipation
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Helps hemorrhoids

Cantaloupe
Saves eyesight
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Supports immune system

Carrots
Saves eyesight
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Promotes weight loss

Cauliflower
Protects against Prostate Cancer
Combats Breast Cancer
Strengthens bones
Banishes bruises
Guards against heart disease

Cherries
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Ends insomnia
Slows aging process
Shields against Alzheimer's

Chestnuts
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure

Chili peppers
Aids digestion
Soothes sore throat
Clears sinuses
Combats Cancer
Boosts immune system

Figs
Promotes weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure

Fish
Protects your heart
Boosts memory
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Supports immune system

Flax
Aids digestion
Battles diabetes
Protects your heart
Improves mental health
Boosts immune system

Garlic
Lowers cholesterol
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Kills bacteria
Fights fungus

Grapefruit
Protects against heart attacks
Promotes Weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol

Grapes
Saves eyesight
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Enhances blood flow
Protects your heart

Herbal tea
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Helps stops strokes
Promotes Weight loss
Kills bacteria

Honey
Heals wounds
Aids digestion
Guards against ulcers
Increases energy
Fights allergies

Lemons
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy

Limes
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy

Mangoes
Combats cancer
Boosts memory
Regulates thyroid
Aids digestion
Shields against Alzheimer's

Mushrooms
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Kills bacteria
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones

...

*photo from: http://www.h2dj.com/uclaradionews/

To Stretch or Not to Stretch: that is the Question?

Our meeting was led by Heidi today. She helped us understand about stretching and flexibility. One thing that she said that stood out in my mind was that one should never stretch a cold muscle. Instead, walk around the block for 5 min. and then stretch out. After stretching, resume your regular exercise and then stretch again after you exercise. This is all wonderful, I think. I hope it will help you feel a difference in your energy and prevent you from having an injury too.



Women's Heart Foundation - Stretching Exercises for Women



All of this information and the fact that we actually walked around the church today then we did a stretching routine helped us have a successful WOW session, even though small, today.

We are still keeping our group up even though the last two weeks of WOW haven't worked out - we are still looking forward to resuming in March. More information to come for you about each of our classes.

Not a Destination - A Journey

Many have been asking me about how I've been losing weight and it is such a vivid question that it is daunting to answer. So, today I led the discussion and I decided to share my dad's story. His story has been the real inspiration behind my own. He writes:

Weight loss is not a destination, but a journey.

I have found that to be true. It's very real and individual in each of our lives. I hope as you read my dad's story, you may understand that one vital statement which can remain very applicable in many of the roles of our lives. Here's his story in his own words:

My Weight-loss Journey

In November of 2006 I weighed 235 pounds. I was 59 years old, 5’ 8.5” tall and thought that I was probably 35 or 40 pounds overweight (see Picture). I was serving on our companies’ wellness council and decided that it might be good to lose some weight. The council had many good ideas on how to do this, so I started. The things I did, and still continue to do, are really very basic to talk about. I exercise more, drink more water, drink much less juice and hardly any soda pop, eat more fruits and vegetables, eat smaller portions of the entrees that we eat for each meal, and eat less candy and desserts.
Now, three years later, I weigh 170 pounds and have lost 65 pounds. I am now 62 years old and still 5’ 8.5” tall. I am amazed that I was so overweight. I have much more energy than I used to have. I sleep better at night and fell better about myself. I have had many ups and downs during that time. A year ago I had started gaining weight again and was back to 190 pounds. I re-assessed my situation and started learning better just how much energy (calories) was in the food that I was eating. That, coupled with a re-commitment to myself, has helped me get to the point where I am at now (see Picture).
Here are some things that I have learned along the way. No diet pills or special weight-loss diets will work over a person’s life. The weight-loss program has to fit a person’s life style and regular diet. That is the only way it will be sustainable. The key is to improve your life style and diet and stick with it. Weight loss is not a destination, but a journey. Even now, I have to watch what I eat at night (that’s when I become ravenous!). If I binge eat one night, I have to not give up, but commit to be stronger in the future.
What has really helped me is the support from my family. I am discovering that my decision has had a ripple effect, both at home and at work. I have had many people tell me how I have inspired them to start losing weight. That, in itself, gives me a greater incentive to stick with what I am doing. Don’t give up on yourself, you can change and improve your life.
~Roger K. Hatch

Now, because so many have asked these are four things that I have been doing:


1. Keeping a food journal

2. Meditation/Devotional

3. Drinking more water

4. Exercise and being active


I also shared these Yahoo! Shine articles and scripture:

8 reasons Carbs help you lose weight

No More Excuses! 10 Tricks that will Motivate you to work out

Doctrine and Covenants 59:15-20

Lessons from Daniel

I wasn't able to attend this morning's meeting due to the fact that I ran my first 5K ever. (See my results here.) Although, I missed being there with you, I am so happy that you continued to help each other to have a meeting today.

Cyndi lead our discussion today and she based it on Daniel Chapter 1. Here's her words about what we can learn from Daniel:

Today at WOW we read about Daniel and his friends being prepared with the eunuchs at the King's court in Babylon. They were supposed to eat rich meat and drink wine, but Daniel knew they would be better off to eat pulse (foods made of seeds and grains) and drink water. The prince of the eunuchs was afraid they would grow weak, but Daniel challenged him to let them eat as they wished and see how they compared with the other eunuchs after ten days. After that time, they far surpassed the other eunuchs, and when they were presented to the king he saw that they were "ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers there were in all his realm."

When we eat meat in moderation and rely more heavily on grains (as mentioned in D&C 89) we too will be healthier. As for other diets, give them 10 days and see how they stack up - certainly not as well as the Word of Wisdom.

This reminded me of our theme, Lighten Up, that we used in the last session based on this hymn quoted in a talk, Sweet Power of Prayer, by Elder Russell M. Nelson:


He gave us His truth to brighten
Our path, to help us walk His way,
To love and serve, to lift and lighten
The lives of all who will obey.

Notes from Today: Still Climbing

Thanks for coming, being there and taking part today. As a group, we decided to have our time come back to meeting at 8 a.m. Earlier seems better, we hope so that more will be able to come plus we can get back to our busy Saturday's sooner.

My heart was humbled today. We are all still climbing somehow and in some way. I wish I had more answers for your individual struggles. I hope when you come you feel our arms outstretched to each other in support. One thing I know I feel is the comfort in realizing that the Lord knows & loves us and He will help us make our righteous endeavors possible whether in weight-loss or elsewhere. I'm excited about our theme:

“For with God nothing will be impossible.”~Luke 1:37

Today's message was spiritual and based on a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks called "Reach Out and Climb" found in the Apr. 1986 Liahona magazine. You may read it here.

We have a schedule that you may sign up to take part in presenting a thought to lead a discussion dedicated toward weight-loss. Our topics, based on the WOW answer in the sidebar, this session will include:

Spiritual
Motivational
Stretching/Flexiblity
Nutrition
Resistance Training
Exercise
Rest & Relax/Stress Relief
Update your closet/pantry

And whatever else we can think of...leave us a thought.

[Photo credit: heart found here]

Looking Forward to 2011

Our group has been going through a period of transition but I am happy to inform you that we are still meeting on a regular basis. Sat. mornings at 8:15 a.m. Thankfully, even in these transitory stages, that groups often take on, a lot of us still attending enjoy what we are learning together on weight loss. During this last period of our W.O.W. meetings, we had a rotating schedule and each taking a turn to present a few thoughts geared toward weight loss then we have a nice discussion. We choose a theme, which our last one was "Lighten Up," and we think of things we could do to lose or control our weight. Amazingly, together, we came up with and had what I describe as an enlightenment of ideas. Or at least this is how our meetings have felt to me. I think it's nice that we have kept trying even if our numbers are low and we are still gaining new members all the time. We welcome them warmly and can't wait to hear their thoughts and ideas.
I have taken a lot of notes and I've wanted a place to share them. I was trying to re-invent that place but I've only now realized that it is here already. I had planned to come here today to delete this blog but I've had a change of heart and I can't. I want to share my notes with you. Old and new so please bear with me if things get a little out of order. We have other authors who I hope may eventually contribute but for now I'm going to give what I can, post what and when I can and hope I can muster up enough insight to give a renewal to this blog. I've put a little work into this blog and I'd like to keep it this way for a while. Also, perhaps those who've missed out on the information we've been sharing will be able to gain from my note-taking abilities. I'm sure I may not always make sense but the whole point of this from the beginning stages was for a group of friends to come together and make an effort to lose weight. And in the end, we are all still friends doing just that by our little efforts each day. These moments of encouraging meetings have taken shape and mean so much to me now as I have lost some weight. I know I couldn't have done this without W.O.W. I will always appreciate the beginning efforts of Melanie, Erin and many others whose hard work and support as from the starting out of our W.O.W. group has not gone unnoticed. I'm glad to still be able to feel comfortable to talk to them about weight loss among other things when I see them. Thanks for having faith in me and giving me a chance to set up this blog in the first place.

Now, without further ado and thanks for reading this far ~ here's my notes from our W.O.W. meeting today, Jan 8th, which I hope these ideas will help us each look forward to 2011:

First off, we chose a theme suggested by Cindy L. which will be based on the scripture Luke 1:37
Our discussion today was based on this article: 7 Habits that Make You Fat

Although, these are quite general ideas I thought there were a few good points brought out in the article. Basics like

*drinking more water

*increasing our activity

*finding others to encourage us & give us guidance

*maintaining good sleep habits

All of these will be helpful to us. If you happen to read the aritcle, please comment and let us know what is your favorite loosing the habit tip.

Also, in our discussion April shared an idea about menu planning that I really liked. She said to plan eating the same breakfast and lunches for two weeks. Dinners may vary. For instance, if you plan eating the same breakfast(oatmeal & an apple) and lunches(salad) for two weeks with a little planning you'll know exactly what calories you'll be eathing. Then plan another two weeks of breakfast and lunch that is completely different. Planning them out for two weeks at a time then rotating them around will signal to your brain that you'll be getting a change eventually and you can eat those salads for lunch because you can do anything for two weeks, right? This will keep you from those binge breakfast or lunches just because you can't see or eat another salad. I could tell how switching things up can really help and how menu planning can be a key factor.

Heidi shared a tip that she had seen her friend, Cherie do; instead of having the urge to order soda when you go out to eat - carry the single serve drink packets (like Crystal Light) in your purse. Go ahead and order water. Pour the drink packet in your water and wa-la you have a tasty drink that isn't soda and a better choice for you than even the diet soda available.

Can you think of any other simple healthy tips? Share with us in a comment.

Another thing, it was shared about setting short term goals to help you to exercise like training to walk/run a 5K. There are a lot of these around and many support good charities. Look to find ones scheduled on days other than Sundays and plan to participate. Couch to 5K is a great website to help you in your goal.

If anyone is ready for a 5K right now, there is one in the Selma/Schertz area on January 22nd. Here's the link. Let me(Julie) know if you want to join my team.

Most of all, this is a New Year and we can set new goals which will help guide our transition into healthier living and the ultimate goal of losing weight. Don't give up!

parsely tea

Hello! My family are all loosing weight by drinking parsley tea, either hot or cold. Parsley has a lot of good, healthy benefits. If you drink only 6 oz a day you will loose. Parsley is under a dollar to buy. You take the leaves only in a 2qt pan, 3/4 full of water and simmer for 2 hrs. Then strain it twice. You can drink just this way or make ice cubes with it and put them in drinks. You can also get a tea basket and simmer the leave in then drink it hot. Google Parsley Tea and you will see the large list of benefits. call or email me and I can send you the report I have written up on it texhess@sbcglobal.net I just thought I would share a weightloss idea.

Move More? Eat Less?

Move More? Eat Less? is a simple quote I recently read on Cathy Zielske's blog. She's a famous scrapbooking lady who in the past year has overcome, lost lbs. and has had a transformation by using this as her motto. I felt inspired by this simple statement which had me thinking...

What types of exercise do you like? I don't personally like this question so I thought if I changed it and asked: What activities did I participate in this week? It turns the answer is very different. I've walked around parks and Art Museums, went swimming at the pool with my children, helped someone move, hosted a water party for Gracie's Preschool friends, and then finally helped (even if just a little) at an Eagle project. There might be even more that I'm not even aware of but it's nice to think of just moving more rather than in terms of exercise like running etc... I'm not saying that's not important and it should be done too but don't disount sweeping that floor or anything else you may have done to move!

Think about your week and what activities you participated in then share with us what you have done to Move More.

I think you'll discover that you're not as far off the path of this weight loss journey as you think. Remember our old motto: Moving It Along - Let's help each other move!

*Okay, so would anyone like to volunteer to help me mop my floors?* j/k ;)

Class Questions

Can you feel the heat yet? I hope you are keeping yourselves hydrated. That is one way to start small with weight loss by carrying around a water bottle.
Summer is in full swing and so are our WOW classes. Erin has been leading our discussions and here are the questions that she's sent to me. I know so many of you have really liked studying these and have found them helpful so I'll put them on here for you.

Questions for Mosiah 15 – Alma 4


Questions for 2 Nephi 17 - Jacob 5


As soon as I get the questions from this Saturday or any other I'll be sure to share them with you.

How do you like these questions? Have they been helpful to you? Leave a comment about how you like WOW classes this summer.

WOW, we're back!

Hello, Everyone! After a sucessful weight loss with 300 lbs. lost collectively during our last session and an amazingly fun dinner/dance celebration, WOW meetings are back! We have already started again for our summer session. It's not to late to get started either so feel free to ask any of us what it's all about.
I still have many ideas and I'm hoping to get those shared in a blogging class so that more of our authors will feel comfortable in posting their thoughts and we'll get this blog rolling again! Plus, I'll make an effort to be more consistent myself. I still have lots of notes to share from all of our previous classes and I know that there will be more to come.
For this WOW session, we've started a Book of Mormon Summer Reading Event. Melanie is hoping that this will help give us better attitudes and uncover a lot of the personal issues associated with weight, overeating, emotional triggers, and ultimately getting to a point that we have lost and then continue to maintain and be healthy.
I'm putting the handouts on here so that you'll be able to download and print them out as you need to or pass this blog address along and share them with others who desire to lose weight as well. Melanie Johnson has worked very hard on putting all of this information so please be kind and give her the credit as you share. I'm putting on a Creative Commons copyright for this blog as well. It is not to be used for commercial uses, you may alter as long as you share what you have done with us, and you may share within your church, weight-loss groups etc... You may contact Melanie or me for any more information on this. Thank you.

Without further adeiu, here are the latest handouts:

Find them here and let me know if you have any trouble opening them.

I'm looking forward to this next session of WOW!

book of mormon questions

I loved the questions on Saturday! I don't have my own set yet, waiting for an email. But I really think Melanie was inspired when she wrote the questions. I can see this program helping us get to the root of our food addictions and weight gain. Thanks Melanie

The dinner/dance celebration was wonderful. Melanie planned it just right. Being escorted down the run way felt so special. The dinner turned out great and so did the dance. Of course I didn't tell my hubby about that part. Several of us ladies danced together. When ABBA's Dancing Queen came on we all did the right moves and sweeped into the center with our hands swaying above our heads. What a fun song to celebrate the new us.
I am really looking forward to the summer Book Of Mormon program. Miss many of you

Missing Weeks

I just wanted to say how much i missed the last several weeks of wow. Just talking and being with sisters today helped me. I am grateful for the fellowship. Thank you Melanie

The Last 2 Weeks

Jan. 16~

I wasn't able to attend this Sat. morning class because I sustained an injury in my right calf playing basketball on Friday night against the Young Women. I had felt great throughout the game until the last few minutes when I became confused and then stepped wrong. Ouch! I have been taking it easy and resting it so I am doing so much better now. I was so worried about not being able to exercise that I felt despair. I was able to get through this and I am doing much better now because of the encouragement I felt from many of you. Even from those of you who also received injuries as well. I hope you are also doing much better now. I appreciate you. I tried my best to continue diligently with portion control since that was all that was within my power in these last two weeks. I struggled on some days but then on others I succeeded which is the way it truly goes.
Erin taught the lesson this week on The Body is a Blesssing. The link can be found on the sidebar for that talk. Our bodies are amazing and it was our challenge to remember that! Also, Gloria showed an interesting video presentation on the effects that refined sugar has on our bodies. Since not everyone was able to stay to watch that video, Gloria will make arrangements to make sure that you can watch it if you'd like and you can arrange that with her. I also heard that the Y.W. basketball game was a topic of conversation for the importance of exercising and realizing that we need to take baby steps to stay fit.

Jan. 23~

I felt today's meeting was very insightful. Melanie shared lots of positive and encouraging information today. Here are some of the highlights:

• Take care of our bodies to the best of our ability. (1 Nephi 3:7)
• Keep a WOW journal and write down how you resisted food temptations. (like not eating that brownie you really wanted)
• Consider how much energy you use to carry your own body. How else might you spend that energy if you felt healthier?
• Be healthy.
• Reach our goals. We can do this!
• Remember the beautiful dream that Melanie has in mind for each of us. Make our own dreams reality.
• Mormonad: Don't be fooled! Remember the story about the snake.
• "Being in the water won't drown you but staying there will." We don't have to stay where we are at. We have the power within us to change.

Remember: We'll be starting a clothing exchange in the next two weeks. The purpose and hope is that as we lose weight we'll not be in any one size very long and exchanging our clothes amongst each other will help with the expense of buying new clothing.

Other inspirational quotes:

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend. ~Bruce Lee

Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong. ~Lao-Tzu (600 B.C.)

One starts an action simply because one must do something.
- T. S. Eliot

First Weigh-In of 2010

On Saturday, Jan. 9, was the first WOW meeting for the year. I'm excited to start fresh again. A clean slate. A new day. In my mind, I'm learing that weight loss is not about food. Believe me, I still love food. For me, it's about learning control, training new healthier thoughts into my brain and how to lead a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

Here is a little run down on what happened at the meeting:

This WOW session will be for 20 weeks. Remember that the aim is a very reasonable 2 lb. loss per week, the hope is to be able to lose 40 pounds (2 dress sizes). If you need to lose less than 40 pounds then you definitely should reach your goal! Some may lose more. Overall, may each of us help everyone reach their healthiest best!

We brought and if you couldn't then you can bring next meeting:

1. A hopeful self to get your before picture taken. (As I took these pictures, I felt inspired to remind you that each of you are beautiful right now. We already are beautiful...like Melanie talked about. Here again, I'm reminded that weight loss isn't about beauty either.)

2. A measuring tape (one provided if you don't have one) to take your measurements. (In truth, this wasn't easy and very telling but I feel it will be important for myself in comparison later on.)

3. A nice outfit you would like to fit into that is two dress sizes smaller. (I'm still looking for the outfit that I want to buy back so it is not too late to get into this game.)
Melanie will be keeping the outfit at her house, but you will have the opportunity as you get healthier to earn WOW bucks, to buy it back! Then on the evening of May 29, a dinner/dance will be held to celebrate our 40 lb losses in our "new" earned outfits!

Remember:

Rule #1: What happens in WOW stays in WOW! (All of your personal info., i.e., weight, measurements and photos are for your records only etc..)

Rule #2: No excuses.

I was also very inspired by the challenge this week which is to strengthen our posture and think UP! I'm still working on this. So, it reminds me of a little Dr. Seuss:

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!

I have looked into the mypyramid.gov and sparkpeople.com - the problem I had with sparkpeople is it didn't recognize shredded wheat's. Mypyramid.gov will show every type of shredded wheat along with many other foods.
With mypyramid.gov, you start by going to my pyramid tracker to log in. Then you can add your food or activity. Research the activities, they even have sleeping, reading and computer and many other choices. You want to put as much activities to fill 24hr if you can. It shows the food by measurement, 1 cup, then it allows you to set your servings, 1.5 or 2. Sparkpeople doesn't do that.
The problem I have with mypyramid is after you enter your food intake, it says saves and analyze. The top box says calculate DG comparison, DG means dietary guidlines. Your 2 choices are 1. maintain weight or 2 leads you to gradually loosing and maintaining healthy weight. clicking 2 gives me as warning saying The height and weight you entered in your Personal Profile indicates you need to consult an health care professional about weight-loss strategies prior to starting a weight reduction program. I am 236l.b., 5'6"
I do not know what to do about this development. I will still post my food and activity because I like the reminder of how many servings I have missed so I can do better.

December 19, 2009

This week was our last meeting of W.O.W for this session. We will restart Jan 9th. We hope to see you all here with us! We are excited to have Melanie back teaching classes and she has an awesome new idea for a motivational plan. I will let her debut her plans herself, in January. Let's just say that it will be a lot of fun and may culminate with a neat resolution in May.

Today we also talked about some of our success during the week. A few examples were: being mindful and aware of what we were eating, filling our home with more healthful snacks, and budgeting snacks with Ziplocs and little containers. It felt great to look at things we did well.

Melanie also shared with us some thoughts on service. When we think of Christ, we think of his kindness and love. He was not selfish in his actions. As we look to serve others and provide a healthy environment for our family, friends, and neighbors, we ourselves are immersed in that healthy place, also. We reap the benefit of the healthy food we prepare for our family and the environment of movement that we create in our home. How much more fit would we be if we took those wiggly tots (or teens) out for a walk instead of plopping them in front of a screen? With our hearts turned to others in love, we can feel the hope and forward progression of our own goals. What a beautiful principle. Elder Oakes spoke of this concept in his talk "Unselfish Service". He states the following:

"Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others.

“If any man will come after me [He said], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew 10:39)."

Now, there is a difference between being unselfish or humble and being a door mat. The Savior doesn't ask us to have unhealthy relationships. He asks us to turn to him and try to do good things. Health and physical strength are righteous desires and the Lord is willing to give us more help in that area then we are probably able to comprehend. As we turn to the Lord for instruction and guidance he will find ways to lift our burdens and heal our wounds as we look to do the same for others.

Have a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year!