10 Things That Make Me HAPPY

Thank you Vicki  http://cupcakesandveggies.blogspot.com/  for honoring me with this award!

The rules for the award:

1.  Post who gave the award

2.  List 10 things that make me happy

3.  Pass on the award to 10 other bloggers  

What makes me happy..

1. Achieving something that I set out to do (currently the Hot 100 Challenge)

2. Rewarding myself for a job well done

3. The warm sun on my face on a cool day 

4. Getting ready to go out & not having to struggle with finding something that fits!

5. The "good feeling" after a great work out.

6. Having a Healthy family: My husband,2 children, and Bailey (our yellow lab)

7. Observing a miracle no matter how big or small, but just knowing that God had his hand in it

8. Having someone visit my Blog

9. My head hitting the pillow after a tiring & successful day
10.Passing happiness on to someone else.

As I mentioned in #10, It makes me happy to pass this Award on to:

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

Previously Plump... in progress
and I would like to pass on some Happiness to fellow  Hot 100 Challengers:
Mrs. Happy Pants

Shauna
Faby
Tami@nutmegnotebook
Olivia
Josie
Maggie
Virginia

Regarding my progress in the Hot 100 Challenge: Goal #4 is to engage in some form of exercise every day.  So yesterday I posted my goals and today was busy with an early school visit to my kids classes, lunch, 2 errands, grocery shopping, making dinner, attending son's football game, then at 7 pm I was bringing my daughter to her guitar lesson and I realized I still hadn't engaged in any exercise.  So I threw my tennis shoes on, set my phone alarm for 14 minutes and headed out walking down the street after my daughter went in for her lesson. When the alarm went off I turned and headed back.  Then a surprising thing happened and I jogged the last 10 minutes back to the music store.  For anyone that knows me, I'm not a runner, but I follow alot of runners on their Blogs so Nej at I Think I Can, I Think I Can you inspired me to kick it into high gear.  On the way home from the lesson I logged the course that I walked/jogged at 1.6 miles.  I don't think I'll be signing up for any marathons, but I did get my daily exercise in!

An commendable effort?!? Cooking dinner

So if you're dieting (I know I should say healthy lifestyle change), but when you're cooking healthy dinners you're happy but the rest of the family is not so excited.  If you make something that they love...then chances are that it's not a great choice for me.  It is way too time consuming to make 2 entrees.

I made Tilipia in a light soy, honey, fresh ginger marinade.  I loved it, the kids not so much.  I got an honorable mention from the hubby. 

Awestruck with receiving a Blogging Award!

I feel that I'm relatively new to Blogging and losing weight, but I have to admit that I was more excited about receiving a Blog Award than losing 10 lbs.  My daughter would say "Get a life mom",  but I say "Yeah me!"  and "Thank you to all my fellow bloggers".  Because Blogging is not sitting on the couch or playing a video game or talking to people who want to sabbotage your weight loss, it's gaining support and information on how to become a healthier person.  First I received the Award from Tish at Incremental Improvements and then practically at the same time from Patrick at Responsibility 199.  Please visit these fabulous Blogs for true inspiration.

The Rules for Eligibility are:

1. Answer the question, "If you had one chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

2. Pass on to six people and inform them of the award.




The one thing I would change is that I would have rebelled against my parents who said I had to eat everything on my plate!  We develope our eating habits at a very very young age, and eating everything in front of us is a very difficult habit to break. 

Love ya mom, but that didn't serve me very well.


Today I'm delighted to nominate six bloggers who have "Beautiful Blogs with that Little Bit Extra." 
1. Michelle at Meesh (previously The Garlic Chronicles)
2. Diane at fit to the finish
3. Aliana at Health Love Happiness
4.  Tania at The Road Back To Being Me
5.  Marcelle at Marcy's Weight Loss Journey
6.  Terri at Territorial

Congratulations everyone!  Have a great Sunday and keep on Blogging!

One inch to go!

Actual picture taken this morning!  Love the white skin, it's blinding.  This is a side pant zipper with me facing the left.  Tryed these pants on a month ago and there was 5-6 inches left unzipped.  I think the way clothes feel is a better way to measure progress than the scale or measurements!

Sunday: It's official - I'm down 10 lbs. in 6 wks.

I truly don't think I could have done it without Blogging.  I picked up so many tips and inspirational information from reading every where I could in Blogland.  So, I have 15 lbs. to go!  I just made a very tasty beef and vegetable stew-yummy.  My mindless snacking is gone and my cravings for everything sweet are entirely under control.  I do have to say that this lifestyle is extremely time consuming: between blogging, healthy food shopping, preparing foods, recording what I ate, and exercising.  But I love it and it's actually giving more energy to do the other things I'm trying to accomplish.


Hope everyone has a great week.

Tuesday: Felt like a Monday

Bailey- "I promise I'll take you swimming tomorrow!"  Very light work out today, healthy eating in several small meals.  Bailey tried to tell me multiple times today to get off the phone and the computer and take her walking and swimming.  There is always tomorrow!

Day 24 through Day 28: Happy Labor Day/post Wedding

I just got back from a beautiful Wedding in Atlanta!  I ate very reasonably, walked alot, even used the small hotel gym, and danced a ton at the wedding.  I somehow managed to gain a pound over the weekend despite all my efforts :(   I think the only explanation is that instead of 4 small meals, I tended to have 2 large meals each day.  Anyway, I refuse to let this get me off track, so back to gym today and eating 4 small meals and I'm sure I'll be back to losing.  Afterall, if I was in my pre-diet way of life, I would have gained 3-4 lbs. over the weekend.  Absolutely, a beautiful day on Saturday in Atlanta for an outside wedding and it was great to see all of the family.  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Day 23: Best Time of Day to Exercise?!?

Below are some pros & cons on the Best Time of Day to Exercise from an article I came across 
http://weightlossandtraining.com/best-time-to-exercise: 

Morning:

Pros:
■Fewer distractions and schedule interruptions
■Raises your metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day
■Gives a physical and mental energy boost
■Easier to form exercise habit through morning exercise
■Cooler temperatures in the summer
Cons:
■Body temperature is at its lowest meaning less energy and blood flow
■Cold muscles are more prone to injury


Noon:
Pros:
■Body temperatures are higher
■Can help regulate the amount of food you eat at lunch
■Improves blood flow to the brain for the afternoon
■Can make it a habit to walk at lunch time with an exercise buddy from work
Cons:
■Time constraints might not allow a full workout
■Lung function is worst at noon
■Distractions are readily available

Afternoon:
Pros:
■Best time to exercise for endurance and for building muscle
■Body temperature is at best level
■Lung function is best
■Perceived exertion is lowest
■Stress relief after busy day
Cons:
■Distractions may keep you from exercising


Evening
Pros:
■Muscles are warm and flexible
■Perceived exertion is low
■Can help regulate the amount of food you feel like for dinner
Cons:
■Need to wind down after exercising to fall asleep
■Distractions may keep you from exercising


So really when is the best time to exercise? The best time is the time that you are most likely to workout consistently. Exercise when and where you most enjoy it and you’ll be more likely to stick with your routine.
I’d love to hear your comments on when you have found is the best time to exercise for you?
Liz