Weigh in, anyone?

Does anyone want to reveal how much they have lost so far? I think it might motivate me to kick it up a notch and give ya'll a run for your money :). I have lost 5 lbs so far. Unfortunately they are the 5 lbs I gained before I finally started taking this contest seriously. But hey, I worked to lose those 5 pounds so I'm happy about it.

So, does anyone want to weigh in?

My long over due update

Tomorrow I start the detox that Liz did. I am excited to feel clean. I have lost 8 pounds to date. Sadly those 8 pounds were not lost due to hard work and exercise. They were lost due to some virus that made me feel like I had morning sickness for about 3 weeks.

After I kicked the virus I started in on some rash that itched like crazy. I wanted to shed my skin crazy itching. After a few weeks of that my doctor diagnosed me with a reaction to stress. Great. Does anybody not have stress? I took a steroid for a week and today was my last day. 

Tomorrow I hope to wake up rash free, virus free and ready to be healthy. I'm kicking my sugar and carb addiction. I have all kinds of fruits and vegetables on hand. I have plenty of fresh eggs every day and a stash of turkey patties too. I'm also not drinking any more soda. I drink soda more than water. True. Sad. True.

I canceled my gym subscription. It was more of a subscription than a membership as I saw looked at it more than I used it. I really do not have the time to take away from my family, farm and work to spend time in the gym. I know how that sounds and some might be thinking, "Melenie, you have to take the time to be healthy and in shape, you have to make the time to go to the gym."  I've actually been getting more of a work out since I quite the gym though. I do a nightly exercise routine that involves wall push ups, and step aerobics using the kids' bathroom stool among other things that crack my kids up.

Running a farm is actually a good work out in itself. Most of my feedbags weigh 80 pounds. I'm not sure how much a bale of hay or straw weighs but it sure feels like I'm getting a workout when I move them around. I've been digging holes and hammering nails, lifting pigs and goats and chasing chickens. It feels good. 

They boys and I dance and take hikes. I'm going to start jumping on the trampoline with them (thank you Poise!). I'm enjoying my life and am excited to get my body with this new phase of eating. 

♥ Ya'll

Creamy pasta primavera

Here is the recipe for the healthier creamy pasta I made.

Sauce:
1 head cauliflower
6-10 cloves garlic or 2-3 tbsp minced
1/2 an onion, I used red but white or yellow would be fine
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
1/4-1/2 cup cashews
4-5 cups chicken broth

Cut the cauliflower into bite sized pieces, cut the onion into bite sized pieces, place cauliflower, onions, and garlic (can be whole or chopped or minced) into a roasting pan or spread out on a cookie sheet. Salt and pepper to taste and drizzle with olive oil. Stir around the pan ( you can also put all the ingredients in a bowl or zip lock bag to mix, just make sure it is evenly coated with salt pepper and oil) roast (bake) at 420 for 25 minutes.  Once done roasting place in a blender or food processor with 4-5 cups chicken broth and blend until smooth.

Meanwhile chop your veggies. I used what I had on hand. I used zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli and tomato. I also bought fresh basil. Set aside. Cook some noodles, any kind will do we used spaghetti because I had some left over from a previous dinner.

I used bacon in this recipe but I think it is totally optional. You could totally go all veggie or use grilled chicken or some yummy chicken sausage would all be really good. I just happened to have some bacon in the fridge and thought it sounded good. I cut it up in small pieces and cooked it in a deep sauce pan. I poured it out when done and then used the greasy pan to sauté the veggies, except the tomatoes they go in at the very last.  You don't want to over do the veggies so cook until still a bit crunchy but not too much.  Toss your  cooked and drained noodles in with your sautéed veggies, add the cooked bacon back in, pour some of the sauce over add a big handful of shredded parmesan cheese, your diced tomatoes and stir. Add more sauce as desired. Another hint, I only used a small amount of noodles, maybe 3 cups cooked. It should be more heavy on veggies than noodles. You could also use spaghetti squash.

I had a ton of sauce left over that I just put in the freezer. And trust me this is every bit as good as regular Alfredo sauce!! We had no left overs!!

Checking In

Liz, you are so good a keeping us updated so I am following your example. Unfortunately, I can't say I have lost any weight. In fact I have gained two. Boo! But it's my own darn fault. I hate exercise and I have little self discipline, therefore I dont't exercise!  But I am starting to look at this from a new angle. Because if I try to exercise just because I want to lose weight it IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! So my new way of thinking is this.....

One reason for being here on Earth is to become more like our Heavenly Father. We are to become more like Him in preparation for eternal life where, hopefully, we will be Gods and Goddesses. If I want to be more like Him I need to work on my self discipline. Surely Heavenly Father can resist eating ice cream after a bad day because He knows it's not what his body really needs. Surely He would be willing to exercise regularly because he knows our bodies are gifts and would want to take care of it.

Working on improving my self discipline is something I need to do in order to become a better person. It is something I need to do to prepare myself for a wonderful future that can be mine if I am willing to do hard things.

Hopefully by working on my self discipline I will also become a more regular exerciser. And THEN I can finally report weight loss. Woo hoo!

P.S. I Have been drinking green smoothies and it feels really good to know I am getting more fruits and veggies into my body. In fact I crave them now which makes me very happy.  Also, I have an acquaintance who swears that this nutritional supplement, called Zeal For Life, has dramatically improved her depression. Like, she swears it saved her life. So I'm trying it cause I'm sick to death of struggling with depression and all it's side effects. 

day 1 of 21

I wrote a post in my personal blog today that I thought I would share on here...I have been super struggling and am ready to try something unprecedented....for me that is.


Today I am starting my 21 day detox to hopefully kick start my body back to health. I have been having a lot of problems lately.  The biggest of concern to me being that I can not seem to lose any weight. Two years ago when I did weight watchers and exercised it seemed to come off in a fairly standard manner.  It was hard but I got results so it made it worth it.  At the first of this year I went off all candy...which should have helped me shed at least a few pounds given the shear amount of candy I normal ingest...but nope. I have actually gained more than a few pounds since the 1st of the year. And I have grown an entire size up. I have been working out hard and consistently and eating pretty good...but zero results. I don't feel better nor have a shed a single pound...in fact I gained a few more. So I am looking into other issues. Starting with what I am hoping is just a resistance of my body to sugar in all forms. So I am doing a 21 day cleanse to get it all out and hopefully reset my system. This will no doubt be one of the hardest things I have ever done. At least when I have done crazy things like this in the past I always gave myself the "but natural fruit sugar is ok" out. This time it is 0.  I will basically be eating meat, nuts, veggies and eggs. I can eat beans but that isn't very fun without rice...Still waiting to hear if I am allowed quinoa or not. It is technically a grain but has lots of protein.  So here I sit. Trying to think of anything other than food, which means all I am thinking about is food. I am going to try to find other ways...more healthy ways...to be kind to myself. I don't need sugar to make me feel good.  I am addicted to sugar. It is my mood enhancer, my quick fix, my reward, my indulgence, but it isn't kind to me. It is destroying my body.  I love my body. I love to be active. I love life. But lately I don't really love any of those things. I want to lay around all day and try to sleep. I am grouchy. I am depleted of all energy. I am going to make a list of things to do to be kind to my body that I am going to start incorporating back into my life...

1. yoga...Ok I know it sounds hokey but I used to do yoga and I loved it...I went today for the first time in years and it was great! Hard and painful but very good for me! I am going to incorporate it at least once a week into my life.
2. Climbing. I love to climb. I get a much better high from climbing than sugar ever provided. I am going to start climbing again even if I have to do it alone.
3. working in my flower beds. Thankfully it is that time of year again when I can start prepping my flower beds. Being outside is good for me and helps me feel energized. Making my home beautiful gives me a sense of accomplishment.
4. reading. I love to read but have not taken much time to do it lately.  I am going to start by finishing the book I am currently reading, "The Continuous Atonement" after this one I would like to read "the Infinite Atonement" I also want to read "The Book Thief".  I also want to read more to my girls. I would like to spend time everyday reading. We read frequently but not every day. I would like to change that. I used to read to Tien every day but now I don't.  I want to do that again.
5. walking. I have stopped walking over the winter. I am going to begin again.  I would like to go walking at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes.
6. ride horses. now that spring is here I need to work it out with my friend Debbie to go riding again.
7. Steam room. I love steam rooms and my gym has one but I never take the time to use it. I will start using it at least once a week.

All of these things are things that I can do to be kinder to myself that actually promote wellness within me. They are all things I deeply enjoy.

Frustration...

No movement on the scale or in my measurements...feeling very frustrated and unmotivated.

Soup Recipes

I was telling Melenie about some recipes and I thought I would just post them here for you all.

Roasted Asparagus soup

1lb Asparagus, bottoms trimmed off
1 onion cut in large pieces
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Chicken Broth 6-8 cups
1/2 to 1 cup cashews
crushed red pepper to taste

Cut Asparagus into 1-2 inch pieces, place in a roasting pan or cookie sheet lined with foil with the onions, drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper generously to taste. Roast (bake) in an oven at 420 for 20 minutes. Meanwhile boil your chicken broth.  Once veggies are finished add them all to a blender (preferably a blendtec or vitamix if you don't have one of these do smaller batches rather than all at once) pour the broth over the veggies add a handful of cashews and blend until smooth.  If you don't want to use cashews you can use whole milk or cream...for those of you with your own animals I would recommend it! We like ours to be a bit spicy so we add the crushed red pepper.


Roasted Cauliflower and Leek Soup

One large head Cauliflower
One bunch leeks (look like HUGE green onions, there are usually 3 in a bunch)
4-5 cloves garlic peeled
olive oil
salt and pepper
Chicken broth 6-8 cups or more if you want it thinner
1/2 to 1 cup cashews
crushed red pepper

cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces, slice the very bottom of leeks off and then start slicing them in thin slices using all the white and light green part toss the darker green.
Place all the cauliflower and leeks in a roasting pan drizzle with olive oil, add garlic and salt and pepper toss to mix and coat. Roast at 420 for 25-30 minutes, do not under cook or it won't blend smooth.  Then follow the same directions, boil the broth add it all together to a blender and blend until smooth. This one is particularly good spicy.  Also good to garnish with Bacon, or leave out for fewer calories and fat.

We love both of these soups, they are awesome served with the Costco Garlic bread or any other yummy bread for dipping in the soup.

Enjoy!! I discovered these recipes after not knowing what to do with Leeks and Cauliflower I had gotten in my Bountiful Basket, and now we love them and eat them often!

Numbers aren't changing but my habits are...

I'm only at two pounds lost still. I worked a lot the last couple of weeks and haven't been able to hit up the gym. I have done some work outs at home and the family and I have decided to purchase a "Just Dance" game for our Wii and do family dance night once a week. We danced our rears off at a friends house the other night and it was so much fun and I sweat like Mike. That's a good thing.

One of the hardest things for me has been my eating habits. Well, I guess not so much my habits as what it is that I eat. For as long as I have been married Derrick has been a straight carnivore and my kids including Shayli did not like vegetables. So I would make meaty, pasta-y, meals and hide the veggies in them.

Lately Derrick has been raving about Bob's salads. Rad's new favorite food is jikama. Cade is a fruit machine. Shayli asked Derrick to stop at the store last week so that she could buy her own vegetables. I have been craving fruits and vegetables like crazy lately too. So we're all in! I brought home some bountiful baskets this morning and we were all so excited about the good food. Our fridge is full of it and when the kids wanted a snack today, it was healthy food!

I'm really excited about our healthy futures. I may not be losing lots of weight yet, but when it does, it will be because I am losing it the right way and it should stay off.

I refuse to be a yo yo anymore!

♥

Grrrrr....

I had a super bad week and half...no working out and lots of junk food. Today I am back on track. I hit the gym. I did a pretty killer upper body weight lifting session and now I can barely move my arms.  It feels good. Can't wait to get stronger!

Mike is in...

the 200's. My goal is to get my knee fixed and then start rehabbing the heck out of it. I would like to be walking normally and be able to go on any of the rides. Maybe I should bring crutches so we can skip lines! I joined Planet Fitness and have been riding the stationary bike to keep my knee loose and it has been working. I have also been a guinea pig for the PT students to practice all the tests. That hurts. If there was a way to naturally make body hair go away that would be my goal. I'll just shave it off.

Actual numbers....

So I finally went to the gym yesterday...and the actual weight I am at is 163...lame. On the plus side...I have now worked out 2 days in a row.

Juicing

I am just throwing this out there because it has been something that has helped me feel better. Late in 2012 Tait and I watched the documentary "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" it changed our lives. We decided to re-examine how we ate...it wasn't good. We saw our selves on a very fast track to very bad life long health problems because of how we ate. I planned meals around my carb of choice that day. We drank lots of soda...I ate insane amounts of sugar. We didn't feel good. After watching the documentary we decided to change. We bought a juicer and started juicing. We noticed a difference in our energy. I bought an app called 7 lbs in 7 days that has all these different juicing recipes. I lost about 10 lbs over 2 weeks of strict juicing. And my energy soared. No joke I started to feel so much better. No more naps during the day...no more gas and bloating. It was pretty awesome...now don't get me wrong it was HARD. But now I juice as part of my normal diet. I may have juice for breakfast or lunch or both. But I try to drink juice at least several times a week so that I am drinking and actually absorbing the vitamins I need. Vitamin supplements that we take are mostly just wasted money. We need to eat more nutrient dense foods. I discovered Kale...something I thought I would NEVER eat. I juice it regularly now.  I started ordering bountiful baskets so that I had more fruits and vegetables on hand. When it has something i don't know what to do with I google recipes and learn how to eat it or cook it.

We now eat very different. Our dinner may consist of just a piece of chicken and a *huge* portion of asparagus or fresh sauteed green beans or salad. No carbs. We try to eat something green every day. I only buy the organic multigrain bread from bountiful baskets. I simply don't buy white bread anymore.....every now and then we splurge on the fresh backed costco garlic bread...:) But overall we are trying to be more conscientious about what we eat...and more importantly what eating habits we pass on to our kids.

Now don't get me wrong...I just made an incredibly delicious and not at all healthy chocolate ice cream cake for Tien's birthday...but that is the exception NOT the rule. My problem is that over the last 9 months I started thinking "well I juice so its ok to eat 3 doughnuts today...or half a bucket of ice cream...or an entire bucket of Costco chocolate covered toffee in 48 hours...yes all of those things actually happened all to regularly. I have to stop eating the sugar and still eat the healthy.  I am SO ADDICTED TO SUGAR. I dream about it when I am not eating it. I think about it all day. This is very hard for me.

For this contest I am trying out the Body for Life program in which you eat super healthy for 6 days a week with one "cheat" day where you eat what you want...I am super looking forward to my cheat day this week!!! I feel my sugar cravings all day long. It isn't easy...but it is worth it.

If anyone is interested you can pick up the Body for Life book at any Library I am sure. Or check out bodyforlife.com. It has some pretty motivating before and after shots.

Anyway I just wanted to share. If you are needing some extra motivation check out "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" pretty sure its on Netflix or you can probably find it for free on the internet. it is very very motivational. I think I need to watch it again.

Valeri's Before Pictures...

 

I can't believe I'm posting these! Ugh! But here's all 203 pounds of me! My only goal other than getting down to 180 before the reunion is toning up my arms. Even when I was at my skinniest they were big and flabby.

 

keep in mind, I've already lost 32 pounds... yuck! I'm so glad I didn't take pictures when I was that heavy.

 

 

Heidi's In!

You know I mean business when I put on my purple stretchy pants.

 

Alrighty, here's the deal. I have gained weight with each child. That's normal. But I told myself that 180 would be my limit; my "this has gone too far" weight. Well, I'm at 186. Not cool. But at the same time, I haven't wanted to put forth the effort to change it. I HATE exercising. And I LOVE chocolate. I'm hoping, and I think it will work, that doing this with my family, whom I ADORE, will be the motivating factor I need.

 

My goals are not all pound/weight related. They are....

 

1. Be able to wear my wedding ring. That's right. I haven't been able to wear my mother's wedding ring for 2 years now. It sucks. This is my #1 goal.

2.  A smaller stomach pooch. I don't need rock hard abs, I just want a smaller pooch.

3. Lose at least 15 pounds. Oh my gosh, that scares me to type. Can I really do that? Maybe I should put 10 instead. But no, I will push myself (something I am not good at doing!).

 

Love to you all!

Heidi

Bootylicious is in

I am so glad that so many of us are signing up and I am loving the posts and comments! This is going to be so great.

I spoke in church in November and I spoke on being Self Reliant... something Mom and I learned a lot about last year. One of the ways of being self reliant is in our health. Something I lack is impulse control. Some people have drug addictions and some people are alcoholics. I could easily be both. Thankfully I have the gospel and I am able to avoid those things. I am not so good at controlling my impulses when it comes time to avoid chocolate cake, jelly belly's, butter, etc.

While preparing that talk I also thought about the pioneers. I do not see how anything short of miracle would have gotten me from Bonners Ferry to Sandpoint the way that I am now. I have 2 very active boys. Like, Liz wants to do with her girls, I want to be outside playing with them and still be able to breath.

I too am at my heaviest weight. When I hit 220 I told myself that if I ever hit 230 I'd check myself into a program or something. I weighed myself when I got home from work this morning and I was, I kid you not, 229.9 lbs. First thing that I wanted to do when I saw that number was eat cinnamon toast and climb into bed. I wasn't motivated I was depressed. 

Which brings me to why I am so excited to be part of this blog now. I am going to be honest so that I can be accountable. That is what I need to do. I'm tired of being depressed about my weight. I want to be better not sadder. So that's my goal.

I'd love to be down to 160. That's 70 pounds away. 70! I'm going to do it though. I'm the only one holding myself back.

PS- I weigh 87 pounds more than my husband. That's hot.

my confession...

So Amy was saying even her "fat clothes" don't fit her...I feel you girl. I resorted to wearing some maternity pants the last two weeks because I felt bad leaving the house in my sweats. I am not exaggerating. I literally can not fit into any of my jeans and a lot of my shirts are now VERY uncomfortable. I just thought I would share because maybe it will help me stay motivated....

Jared is in...

And weighing in at 250 lbs...I would love to be able to put my socks on without holding my breath or farting. Little by little this weight has been creeping up over the past few years and it needs to come off now! It always seems like my diet or workout starts on "Monday". Well today is Monday and it has officially started. My end goal weight is 200lbs. The doc says I need to get down to 185, he's dreaming! BMI is a bunch of crap. My goal by the reunion is 220lbs. This is my swim suit for Boulder Beach.

See you on the skinny side.

Liz is in....

Ok, I don't have a scale but the last time I weighed myself was at Laura's and I was 160. I did take all my measurements just this week. Are we posting those?? I will spare you the picture I took of myself in my sports bra...But also remember to you lovely tall ladies a persons BMI is very much dependent on height...I would kill to be as tall as you lovely ladies!! My goal by the reunion is 140. I have some other goals I am doing with Tait as well. Such as I am going CANDY FREE for a year. NO CANDY. And I am also trying to follow the Body for Life eating plan where I eat 6 smaller meals and have 1 free day to eat whatever (except candy). I have a very serious sugar addiction and would really like to have that out of my life. I am doing good so far since the 1st I have had no candy and sweets only once per week.  I know that when I eat better I feel better. I am also really into juicing so if anyone would like any info or tips about that let me know. We really love juicing and how we feel when we are getting a lot more green in our diet.  I also discovered a brown rice, quinoa thing at Costco. It is pre-cooked all you have to do is microwave it. Very convenient since my fam doesn't like brown rice but I do.

I love you ladies!!

Amy's stats

I've had such a hard time even losing a lb after Tennyson. I'm the oldest one doing this, so you youngins have an advantage 😉 im the biggest I've ever been, and it sucks. I can't wait to hear how good everyone starts to feel as we all lose weight (and we will!!!) so glad everyone's on board and we will be accountable to everyone. We are all in this together.:) thanks Mel for setting this up. I'm stuck at 155, but my wt after tavin I got back down to 130 which is where I feel great at, and want to get back to. That makes it 25 lbs for me, but I'd be happy at 140.  And aunt Rachel just started an IG with friends with healthy recipes. Just checked them out and so far they are great, quick ideas. And you CAN eat healthy on a budget. No excuses!;) may the odds be in your favor. -besos😘

Valeri's Numbers..

I'm in!

Here's my weight (ugh!)
When I got pregnant with Ryan I was 236. I lost weight during the pregnancy and at my last doctors appointment two days before I delivered him I was 226. I'm now 204! So I'm down 32 pounds from my PRE pregnancy weight. My goal is to be 180 by the reunion so I have 24 pounds to go.

So if you want to enter into this family friendly contest simply create a post that says I'M IN!

Hey family! I have started a blog for those of you who want to follow or join. There are quite a few of us that have expressed the desire to get slim, trim and healthy prior to this year’s reunion. Pictures and stats are not required; I trust that none of us are going to be liar heads. I however am going to post my stats. It’s going to be EMBARASSING but sadly honest. I’ll take them tomorrow and post. Heidi had the great idea that those of us who want to put $20 toward a fun contest and the whoever has the largest percentage of weight loss wins the pot. Let’s cheer each other on! ♥ ya’ll! PS- I don't have everyone's email addresses. Can you forward on to any family members who will be at the reunion who might want to join in the fun? Thanks!