A Week Later...

Good Evening Fam,

It has been an interesting week to say the least... I lost 1.6 pounds for the week! The best part of the week was the ability to eat out and make smart decisions. I had Chik-Fil-A, Five Guys, and Applebees... The grilled chicken salad from Chik-Fil-A was great. Instead of order the regular bacon cheeseburger, I had a little one!! Applebee's have a fantastic 550 calorie meal as well Weight Watcher. Although I was sick, I still ate decent and worked out without the intensity due to my bronchitis.. This week is shaping up to be just as great!! Looking forward to my walk/jog after the bout with bronchitis!

Slow and steady wins the race!

Progress

I have to share this.... it took 40 minutes for me to walk/jog 2 miles... Today it only took 35 minutes to do two miles!! Small Steps!

Take a Minute

We live in a society, where everything is fast. We drive to work or class and never really taking a moment to be one with our surroundings. Let us not forget it is also allergy season and the last place you want to be is outside with fresh cut grass and pollen. Today I sat on my stoop in front of my apartment and was still for a moment in time and amazed by the beauty and simplicity around. In nature everything has a purpose, a time, and a season to grace us with its natural beauty. After my walk with a little mix of a jog, I was able to be one and at peace with this journey. Taking a minute to focus on a larger purpose is an amazing thing. So stop twittering, facebooking, and everything in between and take a moment to be still and admire your surroundings.

One Day at a Time

In any journey, you must take one step at a time in order to reach your intended goal or place... You may have setbacks in life but you must continue on no matter what. This weekend I purchased a bag of those Reese miniatures and last night I demolished the whole bag... I am upset at myself... Of course not.. but now I know that purchasing those things are the devil and I had to find a snack to replace that chocolate and peanut butter goodness. I found one and those Fiber One Chocolate Peanut Butter bars are heavenly and they are only 1 Weight Watcher point... I will post a picture and show the comparison in points between these two treats. I was active today and my food choices were great.. More importantly, my students were thoroughly engaged in creating their PowerPoint presentations for Wednesday! Just take one small step at a time and you will slowly but surely reach that intended place!

Success!

I had such an empowered weekend but most importantly week...My eating was on point and I had some much needed rest and relaxation!

I lost 5.4 pounds this week! I made a plan and stuck to it! Worked out five days a week, avoided fast food and talked to some family members! Week 1 done and I am slowly taking my life back!

Simple

Today was a great day....I am physically and mentally drained but no stress!! Taking a workout break on Friday and Saturday! But hey who knows, I may get bored and turn the work out up!

The Set-Up

Yesterday I had a setback, but it turned into a set-up for greatness for the today. It took 45 minutes for me to consume 11 Weight Watcher Points and it took the same amount of time to pack and track my meals and snacks for today. Even though there was a baby shower at work today, I stayed clear of the food and enjoyed the celebration. Setting myself up for success gave me the strength to stay away from the cookies, cakes, and meatballs they was trying to call my name and try something new by playing tennis! I also said NO to someone today and it was actually easier than I thought!! Until next time, Goodnight!

For Whom the Bell Toll....

For those who do not know, I am a first year teacher at the high school level and BELLS are a major part of my job. From the ringing of the first one at 7:15 until the last one at 2:00, everything in between is pretty much a blur. Oh and please don't be an advisory day because then my day is really in for a whirlwind.

Being a teacher is all about the right amount of preparation., making sure every component of the lesson is in place. We plan for weeks and even months in advance in order to prepare our students for victory and success on a standardized test or success in general . If everything is not in place for one day, we are in a hurry to put something together really quickly.

Today was one of those crazy food days, I neglected to eat my snack during third period planning and by the time I went to teach my next class (4th period) I was hungry and at the end of that class...it was over... I ran to my office and grabbed a bag of hot cheetos to eat on my way to 5th period. Since that didn't help, I sent my student to grab the candy jar ... In a matter of 45 minutes I consumed about 400 calories- which is a meal. I had hot cheetos, 6 laffy taffys, and 3 Hershey miniatures that had absolutely no nutritional value. I am hard on myself eating those things no but I did learn that it is imperative that I have the mid-morning snack prior to teaching my 4th period class. Those 5-6 small meals really do make a difference!

Lesson for Today... Just like I plan my units to teach, I must plan my meals. When the bell rings for me to move to the next class, I must make sure to eat during 3rd period planning.

A Great Day!!

Even though, I had a late start this morning... I still had a great day... Stuck to my meal plan and even walked a little over two miles(VICTORY!!!). I had the Jerk Chicken Breast for lunch today along with cabbage and yellow rice and for dinner I had salad (romaine, grape tomatoes, 1/8 cup of reduced fat cheese, 2 teaspoons of bacon bits,and cucumber) tossed with a Caesar Vingarette topped of with about 3/4 cups of steamed shrimp (TASTY)! Today was a great day!

I'm a Survivor!

On April 12, 2008, a goal I set for myself was finally achieved. It was something, I wanted more than anything else in this world. For so long it was unattainable, I was rejected twice but I continued on no matter. On April 12, 2008, I was initiated into the best sorority ever, DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED. It was a long ride but I have finally made it.

The tenacity and drive I had to achieve membership into Delta, I must have the same if not higher tenacity in order to complete this journey. I may have setbacks that are beyond my control but no matter what I must see the light at the end of the tunnel which is healthier, fit, and fabulous ME.

So when I am hard on myself and have a setback... I will remember that... I'm a SURVIVOR... I'm not gon give up.....I'm not gon stop.....I'm gon work harder....I'm a survivor......I'm gonna make.....I will survive...... Keep on survivin.... But most importantly, I have 115 other SISTERS OF SURVIVAL!! I love you 116 and DST!

HAPPY DELTAVERSARY TO THE FABULOUS, TALENTED, AND DYNAMIC WOMEN OF THE 116 S.O.S AND TO OUR BEAUTIFUL PROPHYTES 84 D.O.C.A.C!

Jerk Chicken Breast with Veggies

1 cup(s) mushroom(s)
4 serving(s) jerk marinade
1 1/8 pound(s) cooked chicken fillet
2 item(s) bell pepper(s)
2 Tbsp jerk seasoning
2 tsp Bertolli Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions

Rinse chicken and cut off excess fat and skin. If using larger chicken breast, cut in smaller portions.
Add chicken and jerk seasoning to a gallon sized bag and shake. Then add half of the oil and six tablespoons of the marinage. ( You are saving the remainder to coat the veggies) Marinade for at least 30 minutes.
Chop the bell peppers and the red onion into chunks and combine with the mushrooms.
Coat the all the veggies with the remainder of the marinade and oil.
Bake for 30-45 minutes.
Enjoy with cabbage or yellow rice!

When Saying "Yes" is all to Easy!

The word "support" has nineteen different meanings and can be used as verb, adjective, or a noun. As I read each definition, I think of someone or something that I have supported throughout my 26 years of life.

Since I can remember, I have always been a giver. I have given so much of myself to others and not have anything left over for myself. I am guilty of putting causes, people, friends, family, nieces, school and everything else ahead of myself physically, financially, and mentally. Over the years, it has been so easy to say...."YES" to everything and everyone. "Yes" is an easy word. With that one word, you can avoid confrontation and become fully engulfed with everything and everyone except yourself. I have no regrets for the thousands of "Yes" I have said throughout my life because it is all apart of the growth. However, it is a word that I must choose to use sparingly and wisely from now.

I am thankful for each one of my supporters, cheerleaders, and teammates! Thank you for supporting me even when I wavered so many times before.

My foundation or support system is set.. and I can only take it one day at a time...

Giving of myself to causes and people were easy but taking control of my life and myself will be the hardest thing I do... Now is my time to learn to say NO!


The support that I received today was overwhelming... Thank you all for your words of encouragement.

A Beginning of a Journey...

Since I can remember, I have always struggled with my weight. Yes, I am confident, outspoken and driven in all aspects of my life except when it comes to making myself a priority. When I am out with my friends, I am the overweight friend. My closest friends have never judged me or made a big deal about my weight. What I have noticed the most is they have always supported no matter what. They have encouraged and spoke out vehemently whenever I called myself FAT!

I can literally say that I have spent thousands of dollars on weight loss programs and have even researched weight loss surgery. Temporary fixes that doesn't get to the root of the issue. I will be focus for weeks and then something will happen and I turn to food.. When I stressed... I eat... When I am lonely... I eat... When I bored... I eat... When I am overwhelmed... I eat... When I watch TV... I eat... When I celebrate... I eat... Instead of calling a friend or a family member, I have always turned to food. So when you think about it, food is my best friend. Food has been my comfort or safe place for way to long.

So now the true journey begins, the ability to truly put myself above anyone and anything. If I hurt your feelings, so what... I will no longer sacrifice myself in order to please other people. For so long I have let fear prevent me for conquering the world. So here I am 288.2 pounds, ready to face the unknown and to walk into my destiny. A destiny that is more about me then what I weight. Instead of cheering from the sidelines, I am ready to participate in the game and shoot the winning shot!!

Q