Jan 14,2011

I've been delinquent in my blogging - sorry.  My life has started to get busy again so I am NOT going to blog everyday but promise to do it at least once a week. 
I start my new job next week and  hopefully start my new eating plan. Depends on what we can afford. On the flip side I did design my menus and decided that I would use the special K website to help me.
 I did promise to post my menus you will find my 7 day plan below.  There are a few things you need to know breads and pastas are whole wheat (WW), fruits and veggies are 1 - 2 cup servings with salads being about a 3 cup serving, dairy products are the low fat, with milk being 1%, pasta is a 1 cup serving.  If you visit the Special K website you can find the recipes to the meals.  Some I may have tweaked to my families tastes.  I plan to serve my family the same meals except when there is a lean cuisine meal. B= breakfast, L=lunch, D= Dinner S=snacks.

Monday
B = Special K cereal with 1% milk, orange
L= Black Bean, corn and couscous salad, apple, yogurt
D= Grilled Chicken (boneless skinless), green salad and dressing
S= Graham Crackers, goat cheese, grapes

Tuesday
B= Special K, 1% milk, banana
L= Tuna Sandwich (WW and mayo), celery, apple, yogurt
D=Lean Cuisine, Carrots
S= yogurt, Rice Crispy Square

Wednesday
B=Special K Cereal, 1% Milk, apple
L= Turkey Sandwich (WW, Honey mustard),grape tomatoes, Celery, Carrots, yogurt, orange
D= Open face Roast Beef Sandwich, salad
S=Cheese cubes, Crackers, 1% milk

Thursday
B= Special K, 1% milk, banana
L= Spinach, walnut and goat cheese salad, yogurt, apple, Melba toast
D= BBQ Steak, Salad
S= Yogurt Parfait, Rice Crispy Square

Friday
B= Special K, 1% milk, orange
L= Tuna Sandwich, (WW, Mayo), grape tomatoes, apple yogurt
D= Lean Cuisine, salad, 1% milk
S= hot chocolate, popcorn

Saturday
B= Special K cereal, 1% milk, apple
L= Veggie Omelet, orange, tomato slices, yogurt
D= Dine out
S= Yogurt, banana

Sunday
B= Special K cereal, 1% milk, banana
L= Crunchy Chicken Wrap, veggies and dip, apple, yogurt
D= Sunday family dinner (roastbeef, chicken, ham,), sweet potato wedges, broccoli
S= Rice Crispy Square 1% milk

Everything is portion controlled and I will allow myself to eat veggies or a fruit if I get hungry and of course I will be drinking my water.

My new eating plan is all that much more important as my mom is now a diabetic - she is on pills.  This scares me as I am sure I will either develop type 2 diabetes or end up being a diabetic as well if I don't make the necessary changes NOW.

I am really tired of being a FAT Chick and just want to be healthier and happier me.

So remember NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN HEALTHY FEELS.....

So FAT Chicks we are what we eat so let's start making better choices and start getting mobile.

Small steps with achievable goals will help us go the distance - Go FAT Chicks....

Jan 10 2011

I haven't blogged in a couple of days - I really didn't feel like it.  I am disappointed in myself for not going to ZUMBA.  I was just too lazy, and didn't feel like it.

Food and water has been okay not great but okay.  Made my share of mistakes and have every intention of getting on track. 

Seems that life is getting in the way.  My emotions are getting in the way and I need to find a more productive way of dealing with it.

As I type this blog I am resisting the urge to go and heat up some pizza and eat it.  I am not sure why I am wanting to eat but know that the urge was there.  The only way that I know how to deal with this is by going to bed.

How do you deal with these urges to eat when your not hungry or when the emotions become too much that the only way to deal with it is to eat.....

I want out of this vicious circle and need to get out but, I am struggling.  I watch all these shows where FAT people get help and wonder why that can't be me - getting help for FREE?  Some how it doesn't seem fair. 

Sigh, all I can do is try my very best and hope for a positive outcome.

Wish I had someone to meet up with for walks and/or ZUMBA.

Will try and post my menus tomorrow.

Hope you all are doing well and that you had successes over this weekend.

Let's go FAT Chicks....we can do this.

Jan 7 2011

Whew what a day.  Accomplished a lot at home today.  Now my back is really sore - all well maybe I burned some calories. I really didn't drink enough water today - good news is that I didn't drink any pop either.  I will focus my energies on myself tomorrow and the laundry and errands of course. 

Been feeling upbeat today for a change.... :).

I am going to try and get to Zumba tomorrow....should be fun.  I didn't find anyone that could go with me tomorrow.  I don't like to try new things without someone to share it with.  I asked my Hubby to go and he said no thanks.  Nice support.  I was really hoping we could go together. I guess you could say that I am disappointed in him.  Ah well I am sure that is a whole other blog in itself. 

Menus are done but, I will post them tomorrow. Too tired today.

Sorry not much of a blog but hope that all of you had successful days.  My next challenge is to increase my veggie and fruit intake.

Let's go FAT Chicks......til tomorrow

Jan 6 2011

Well today has been a busy day and a bit stressful for me.  I didn't drink all my water today but I will endeavor to get back on track tomorrow,  I read my horoscope last night and this is what it said:

The first month or two of this year require that you be more diligent with financial matters and with adhering to your new vision of yourself. It takes time to develop good habits, just as bad habits take time to develop. But if you stick with your ideals for your life in 2011, you'll be successful beyond your wildest dreams. Starting now, the life you live will become easier and easier. Keep your goals in mind and create a checklist of ways to keep things going in the right direction. By doing so, you'll remain mindful of what you need to do. Aim for success, and you'll reach your target. 

How ironic is that?  LOL.  I hope it is true.

I plan to seek out ZUMBA classes and start attending them on a regular basis.  The hard part is finding someone to go with me.  I have a friend who will go with me every other Saturday so I will thank her for coming with me and hope that I really like it.  I need to get off my FAT ass and get moving again. 

My menu planning came to a stand still today due to the fact that I was deChristmasing my home today.   I am having a hard time planning affordable family meals so I may end up getting myself some lean cuisine to eat on the nights I can not eat what they are having.  Tomorrow I will be rearranging my living and dining room to accommodate my soon to be grandsons playpen and high chair. . 

I hope all of you will had a successful day and that you remembered to pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments big and/or small.

Here is to a successful tomorrow - FAT Chick Power Rules.... 

Jan 5, 2011

Had my doctor's appointment today and got my referral for bariatric surgery.  Now it will be a waiting game.  I called to make my appointment.  I hope I qualify...cause I'd like to have options. My BMI is really high and that scares the crap out of me.  I don't want to 'die' from obesity.  I don't want to 'die' not to have lived my life to the fullest.
 I find my obesity is causing me to withdrawal from everyday life - simple things like carrying the laundry basket up and down the stairs can be difficult for me.  I have noticed over the last year that stairs have become my worst enemy.  I have trouble both up and down.  Grrr this is so frustrating.  I want to be more active but I can't because it is too hard.  So it is a catch 22 - be more active to lose weight but the weight is what is making it difficult to be active.  Where does one begin when even walking can be hard.  The other problem is that I don't really have a support group to go walking with - people who live close by who can get together 3 times per week for an hour and walk the track with me. It is always nicer to have someone to do it with - someone who completely understands that it can be hard even on the best of days.  I would LOVE to join a gym but we are just getting our finances back on track and it is just not in our budget to do so. 
I am doing well with the water intake.YAY! Although today I needed to use Crystal Light because the thought of drinking water was enough to make me vomit. Food choices not so well but that's okay my goal was to start drinking water and I am managing 8 -  8oz glasses.  So for now I will take the water accomplishment.
I have almost finalized my menu plans - I am finding it challenging to create affordable meals that I can make for the whole family.  Guess I will just keep researching.
Hope all of you are having success in your days and that even the small accomplishments are worth patting your self on the back. 
Once my menus are complete I will post and share.  As well I welcome your menu ideas.  My blog is your blog.  Let's make the most of this 'support' and use it to our fullest advantage.
Let's go FAT Chicks.......

Jan 4th,2011

Hi Ladies,

Well I am proud of myself today as I have accomplished 2 things.  I accomplished getting my finances back on track and I have almost drank all of my water today :).  Seems silly to be celebrating drinking water but every tiny steps accomplishments is worth celebrating.  Hell I need all the encouragement I can get.   I have my glass of water beside me and have about 12 more oz to go... Yay me!!!
I  have a friend who is in the same boat as me: weight at the highest it has been in our life, we will be forty at some point this year, our financial situations stank and we both want to have another baby.  It is so great to be able to have a friend who understands the Hell I am in.  The motivation for me to be a healthier me is two fold. First I would love to have another baby and second, my daughter will be having a son in February so I will be a Grandma for the first time.  I want be the type of Grandma who has the energy to keep up with a little one, to be able to enjoy pushing the stroller instead of using the stroller to help me walk when my back starts to hurt. I want to enjoy him.  Hopefully, I will be able to have my own.  Right now, I am too FAT and unhealthy to have a baby and it could be fatal for me or the baby.  I want to be able to enjoy a pregnancy and my baby without worry.  I said yesterday that I was working on a menu for myself and that remains a work in progress. 
I have my Dr.'s appointment tomorrow and will discuss getting a referral for a bariatric surgeon.  I will keep you posted on the outcome of that.
Not sure what my next steps will be but getting my menu completed would be awesome as I start my new job and my new eating habits on the 17th.
Hope you are celebrating all your accomplishments no matter how big or small.  Thought:  Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. 
Talk to you tomorrow......

Jan 3, 2011

Well, it is another day into the New Year and I promised myself that today would be the day that I make a small change towards better health - I promised myself to drink no less than 6 - 8oz glasses of water everyday.  You see I hate water, I very rarely drink water so 6 glasses is a good step for me.  Yay, so far I have drank only 1 glass of water but it is one more than I drank yesterday - so far so good.  I will be starting a new job within the next couple of weeks and I figured what better time to start a new eating plan.  Today I am designing a 7 day menu plan 3 meals and 2 snacks daily.  I plan to start this when I start my new job - a new begining all around.  My concern is not weather I will follow the menu plan but rather the finances to ensure that I have what I need to follow it.  With 3 children in the house it can be hard to keep the foods I need to succeed at the ready and be able to afford them.
I have got a plan to put me financially back on the right track, a new job to help me obtain this goal.  So that one I can check off my list. 
I also have a Doctor's  appointment on Wednesday at which point I will be asking for a referral to the bariatric surgeon to discuss options available to me if any.  It is a 1 to 5 year wait list for surgery IF you qualify - I know I qualify according to my BMI but not sure if I meet the other qualifications.  Not sure I want the surgery but I would at least like to start that ball rolling.  I will either need surgery or I will have lost weight and not need it. I am hoping for the latter of course. 
I don't think taking the weight off is the problem (although- it has it's share of ups and downs) the long term - keeping it off seems to be the REALLY hard part.
Am I biting off more than I can chew making menu changes when I will be starting a new job? I guess time will tell.  I am hoping I have the will to succeed and the desire for results. Today, as I feel I say Bah I don't think so.
As with all of us FAT Chicks - we wish there was a magical solution.  One where we can blink and be skinny  - a magic pill or miracle.  Sadly there is no miracle or magic - it will take hard work and determination to succeed.  The changes we make will make us or break us.  One step at a time, one change at a time for the rest of our lives.  Unfortunately, the changes we make need to last us a life time.  We can't make changes for this week or this month and expect a lifetime of healthy.  We will need to be strong and fight obesity for the long term. Until the medical profession realizes that obesity is a disease and needs long term treatment we are on our own (together we stand and divided we fall). For all of you who made changes to be a healthier you - I wish you every success and you have my support.  Don't beat your self up for  a bad choice - pick yourself up, dust yourself off and make the change you need to for your next meal.
Let's see how I do with my water drinking - so far two glasses of water gone - 4 or more to go. 
Let the FAT Chick power begin.........

Jan 2, 2011

The NewYear has begin, just barely so.  Of course I remember my promise to myself to become healthier...today's meal has been McDonald's - Big Mac Large fry and Large Coke.  So far New Year's resolution is a non starter. 
Guess the thing is - I have come to realize that I am not happy.  Not happy about what you ask?  Seeing as I have a family and husband that love me, I will be starting a new job soon and a Grandson on the way - what could possibly make me unhappy?  It is difficult to explain really - I feel fat, unattractive, and just generally feel that I could be a better person.  How do I become a better person when I feel so negative about myself?  I eat, feel depressed, eat some more, feel sad, make bad food choices, I eat, feel depressed.....do we see where this is going? 
I look back at pictures of myself when I did lose weight and looked fabulous, I felt wonderful and made many positive changes to my life - look at me now attractive but FAT.  I am definitely lacking the motivation to do anything about it - finances is a key but where there is a will there is a way - I've just lost my will.  How do I get it back? Why don't I want to take care of myself?  I guess it is just easier to be FAT. 
I need to lose about 130lbs to be what the Doctors call a healthy weight.....that depresses me.
I don't do drugs and I really don't drink (socially, if that), I turn to food to nurture myself, to make myself feel better.  Why do I do that?  Guess that is the million dollar question - I don't have an answer.  Like so many other obese people we struggle everyday and unfortunately unlike drugs or alcohol we need food to survive.  We need to eat food to live.  Food is my "drug" of choice - why are there no rehab programs for me to check myself into to get well and to deal with the food monster in me?  hmmmm Obesity is an epidemic but options are limited.  I don't think it is enough to do a gastric bypass or lap band surgery.... there has to be a reason I keep sabotaging myself - FAT is a disease and surgery is only 'half the answer' (if there is such a thing as half an answer) - I think there is/are psychological reasons for my disease and I think that if professionals can tap into that there maybe a 'cure' for me.  I need to be taught to take care of me, to make better choices and learn why I make the choices I do. 
Life can be very funny when I was about 12 I had an eating disorder - anorexia......got counselling and now look at me - FAT and unhealthy --- this is why I think it is more psychological than anything else.
I would like to find some friends who like me need some emotional support and willing to make a commitment to each other and be held accountable to each other - a FAT Chick Club - where we can get together to discuss our issues and perhaps come up with a plan to make the government more aware of the fact we need support too.  Not to mention that we could come up with free ways to make us healthier  - like a walking club or a supper club.  I know I can't afford any serious help - but I know I need help - I can't go on like this......

The New Year

Well here goes nothing. I decided that this New Year I would start blogging. It is Jan 1st 2011, and most people will have made New Year's resolutions and like tons of others I have resolved to become a healthier woman. HA, I have made this promise to myself many times before. Is this the year I will actually start taking care of myself? Or will I once again continue to make unhealthy choices and make excuses for myself? More than likely the latter. You see like so many others I am last on my own list and financially it is tough to make good choices. Good choices unfortunately cost money I just don't have. I am FAT. I am unhealthy. I have turned to the medical profession for help and all I get is you're having these health issues because you are fat. They don't offer support and don't take the time to listen. I ask what is this world coming to when you have supports (covered by the province) for alcoholism and drug addiction but NOTHING because your FAT. Do people think I want to be fat? That I sit around and make bad food choices - stuff my face with junk? So totally not me. I ask why should I as a tax paying citizen not have programs available to me to assist me with losing weight? It costs 100's to 1000's to lose weight and I just don't have it. Obesity is becoming an epidemic in Canada yet no one seems to want to reach out to help unless, I reach into my pocket. This is the beginning of my FAT Chick Blog....pls feel free to comment. Maybe if enough of us band together we can get the government to step up and take care of us too.