Spring:Time for renewal, Time for change....

Oh my! It has been almost two weeks since I posted -- I am so sorry! Rest assured, though, I am sticking to it -- whole-heartedly! I have been walking between 3 and 3.5 miles every day, and walking faster as time goes on, too. I feel great!

I have lost 25 lbs total (actually, a bit more, but since I don't "officially" weigh in again until next Tuesday, we will leave it at 25). Hoorah for me! the best part is that I dropped a size. That is probably really the best thing...

We went to Virginia for Easter to see my sister. I had nothing to wear, so I "forced" my sister to go shopping with me (She is the BEST shopping partner in the entire universe!). I tried on a size smaller than usual, and you know what? The VERY FIRST dress I tried on fit -- and it happens to be the one I have on, above. Don't you just LOVE it when that happens?

Now, the renewal thing. I got my haircut this week. I thought that since I was shedding pounds, a little hair could go, too. I think a good haircut renews the soul, don't you? First, here is a picture of my family taken on Easter:

Now, this is my new haircut....oh, don't you just love self-portraits? LOL -- This is hard to do!

Note to self when taking a self-portrait in the bathroom mirror (um, I kind of struggled with this!!!):

• Don't chew gum and snap the shot.
• Look at the lens.
• Don't take pictures of the bathroom lights.
• Shut the closet door behind you so that no-one can see your mess!
• Look at the lens...
• Untangle the dog from your legs.
• Look at the lens (sigh)

Not the best shot, but you get the idea. Hey! I feel lighter!

I just want to say thank you again to those of you who send me emails...really, I am more motivated every day by your emails and kind words. Thank you for looking over my shoulder and encouraging me, friends!

Now, how are you doing this week?

What's for dinner?

I have two teenage boys who are always hungry. They eat constantly when they are home. The worst time is when they come home from school -- they "snack-out." I find wrappers and pieces and parts all over the house (I swear, they just drop the non-edible debris wherever they happen to be at the time). Luckily for them, they are both into sports, and hence, both are thin. My oldest has to watch it -- he has my genetic propensity for weight, so he is always putting a check on himself if things get out of control.

I remember being like that after school. The word RAVENOUS comes to mind. I remember my mother telling me to "eat an apple" -- uh, right, like that will even come close to topping off the tank! Of course, I have made that same suggestion to my kids. Luckily, they like apples!

Afternoons can be treacherous for me. I was falling into the trap of eating when my kids got home from school, too. That seemed like as good as an excuse as any for eating, right? I've broken that habit now. I find something else to do during this feeding time for my voracious animals. I stay out of the kitchen, and it seems to work.

Alas, just as I think the feeding frenzy is over do I hear that age-old question: "What's for dinner?". As the primary meal-maker and a consumption-conscious person who is perpetually short on time, it is imperative to prepare ONE meal for the whole gang rather than multiple meals. The challenge is finding things that are healthy, on plan, and appetizing to the whole family. I have to say that Weight Watchers has been brilliant with their recipes -- they are generally flavorful, full of color, and full of variety. My kids and DH just eat more (okay, 2 or 3 times as much) as I do. It works for us.

I thought I would share one of these recipes with you; this is a favorite of ours now.

Barbecued Turkey Joes

POINTS® Value: 6

Servings: 4

Preparation Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Use extra-lean ground turkey to help keep the fat down in this zesty, quick-cooking sandwich. Opt for a tangy barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 medium bell pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium onion(s), chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup barbecue sauce
4 medium mixed-grain hamburger roll(s), sliced in half
Instructions
Brown turkey in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off liquid. Add peppers and onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Add barbecue sauce and cayenne pepper; heat thoroughly, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
Top bottom half of buns with turkey mixture; cover with top half of bun and serve.

(I add extra Cayenne powder -- my family enjoys scorched tongues.)

Um, can it get much easier? Methinks not : )

Okay, now for an update:

I walked 15 miles this week

I lost 2.2 pounds this week -- total: 22.2 lbs!

I hope your week is going well, too...

A quick little update...

I just wanted to leave a quick little update on my progress...

I have lost another 3.4 lbs for a total of 20 lbs. I am amazed, but not surprised!

My Father-in-law is a healthy man. In his sixties, he can run circles around most of us in this world. He rides bikes competitively, runs, and has been a coach and phys ed teacher. He has had several high-level jobs, and has conquered almost every sport you can think of, from running to golf to bowling. He is totally physically fit. Truthfully, he is the most successful person I know.

And he just retired from his corporate job.

So now he has time. And two weeks ago, I asked him if he would train me. He agreed...and he has been working with me since. I drive to his house a few mornings a week, and walk on his treadmill while he watches my heartbeat and stats; he is working on building my endurance and measuring where I am so that eventually I can run. (he rides his racing bike in a stationary stand along side me -- it is very amicable!)

I am in a good place! I am excising, eating right...it's all good. I feel terrific right now and hope to keep incorporating this into my lifestyle as a life-long habit of living.

How are YOU doing?