Day 67 - Something is Fishy

I had a meeting at the Aquarium today. The meeting was in a conference room with a glass wall that allows you to view deep sea aquatic life. The tank is very large and filled with sharks, sting rays and lots of BIG fish. :) Guess what we had for lunch? That's right. You guessed it. FISH. Have you ever felt bad about eating a fish in front of a fish? LOL. I must say that the fish was absolutely wonderful. It was cooked to perfection.

I need to eat more fish. Do you have a favorite fish recipe? If so, please send it to us. We would love to hear from you.

Tip: Fish + Omega 3 = Very Good 4 You.

Challenge: Eat some fish today

Have a wonderfully Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 68 - A new era begins

Check out the new WW website. Today, WW introduced a new way of tracking and managing food intake. I love WW. It is simply the best way that I have found to manage my lifestyle change. Yes! I said it. Lifestyle change.

Yesterday Reverend Oscar challenged everyone to use the advent season to prepare for a new beginning. He asked us to let go of past hurts, resentments, frustrations, issues and move forward. I am going to take the next four weeks to plan for 2011. I am going to affirm my weight loss goals on a daily basis and work hard to master the new WW plan. I do not want to be in this "place" next year. I do not want to keep gaining the same 20lbs. I want to move forward with a renewed spirit and a SMALLER WAISTLINE. I can do it and so can you.

Challenge: Start making some resolutions. What will you do differently in the new year?

NOTE:  4 weeks until I wear my "JEANS" for Christmas. Will you be able to wear your "challenge outfit" on Christmas? The answer is YES - we can!!!!!

Live it, Love it, Learn it - and have a Veggie Good Day
FitandSlim4ever

If you love the blog become a follower. We are now international with readers from several countries. YEAH!!!!

Day 65 - Cleaning out the fridge

The only way to not eat leftovers is to make sure that there are no leftovers. I gave my leftovers away. Yeah!  I had to do it. The dressing was vibrating in the fridge with a sign saying "YUMMIE." The last thing to go was a perfect looking apple pie. I tried to hide it but that darn pie kept peeking at me. LOL. I threw it out. I felt guilty about wasting food. It had to be done. No regrets.

I am looking forward to learning the new WW program. Stay tuned big changes are coming.

Have a Veggie Good Day
FitandSlim4ever

DAY 67 - Back in stride AGAIN -summary of day 64-67

Hello world, I have been off the blog for the past four days...dealing with Thanksgiving. How was the holiday? Did you manage to enjoy a great meal without going CRAZY? I give myself a B-.  I had a lot of dressing and it was worth it until I got on the scale last night. WHOA! I had a little fluid gain.   Today, I am  back in stride again. I am going to ramp up the fluids today and pump out some aerobic activity. I can do it and so can you. Let's get back on track.

On November 29, 2010 the new WW plan will be announced. I am really excited. Go to weightwatchers.com for more information.

Tip:  Stay alert by reading labels. Avoid foods that are high in sodium.

Challenge:  Staying on plan for the next 6 weeks. We can do this together.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Getting ready for the FOOD FEST

Thanksgiving is the biggest FOOD day of the year. I am really nervous about the big day. I keep wondering whether or not my will power will hold out. I do not want to consume the standard 4,500 calories consumed by most adults on turkey day.

I am sitting here in my kitchen blogging while cooking. Everything about the holiday revolves around FOOD. The family will gather around the food table, the cooks will be exhausted from cooking food and everyone will feel guilty for consuming so much FOOD.

All I can say is that I LOVE THANKSGIVING. Stay tuned. It should be interesting.

Pray for peace in our world, our country, our state and our community.

Have a VEGGIE GOOD DAY!
Fitandslim4ever

Day 62 and 63 combined/ Operation T-Day Countdown - 4 days

It is holiday time. I am trying to get myself ready for everything that comes with this busy time of year. Parties, impromptu meals and family gatherings are occasions when our will power is tested.

My WW leader recommends that we select items that we rarely have the chance to eat. In other words, identify the "only at Thanksgiving dishes." My must have item is dressing. I love dressing with gravy. I am planning to skip dessert and eat the dressing. I know this sounds crazy. I am going to allow myself about a cup or two of dressing. I just need it, want it and have to eat it on Thanksgiving.

 I encourage you to start planning your operation T-Day strategy. ONLY THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE THIS BATTLE OF THE BULGE. CHARGE!!!!!

Note: I am substituting some of the ingredients in my dressing recipe.

Tip: Make a portion of your favorite holiday dish with reduced fat and low calorie ingredients.

Challenge: Lighten up a Thanksgiving dish. You can check the WW website for ideas.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 61 - Week 10 on WW

A perfect 10 - Well not exactly. The past ten weeks have been full of lots of learning experiences. I can honestly say that this journey has changed me forever. FitandSlim4ever.

I am going to have to face each day living and loving my lifestyle changes. I will have to learn to maintain focus and NEVER EVER lapse back into negative behaviors and patterns.

I look forward to sharing my next 10 weeks with you. Stay Tuned and have a VEGGIE GOOD day.
FitandSlim4ever

Day 60 - The Biggest Loser

Are you looking for new food options? Check out the biggest loser cookbook. If you want to look like Jillian and Bob you should have at least 4 servings/Fruit and Veggies, 3 servings/protein, 2 servings/whole grains, 1 serving/fat.

Recipe:  Biggest Loser Baked Ziti

1 box/141/2 oz whole grain ziti
15 oz fat-free ricotta cheese
2 large egg whites
8 oz (4 cups) finely shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
3 1/2 cups low-fat, low-sodium marinara
2 tbsp grated reduced-fat Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F Mist 13x9x2 glass baking dish with olive spray
Cook Ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain

Mix ricotta, egg whites and 3 cups of the mozzarella in dish until well combined. Add garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Stir in pasta. Spread 1 cup of the sauce on bottom of dish. Add 1/2 cup of pasta in an even layer over sauce. Top pasta with another layer of sauce. Layer remaining pasta over sauce and spoon remaining sauce over top, sprinkle remaining cheeses over top. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes longer, or until mozzarella is melted. let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces and serve.

8 servings, 350 calories, 8 grams fiber, 6 grams fats, 429 mg sodium / 7 points value

Have a Veggie Good Day
FitandSlim4ever

Day 59 - The Business Lunch

I am starting to get the hang of "the business lunch." In my early WW days I dreaded having to meet with people over meals.

I have figured out a strategy:

1.   Ask for your salad dressing on the side.
2.   Divide your plate in 1/2 and only eat from 1/2 of the plate
3.   Have the wait staff remove your plate immediately after you have finished eating
4.   Skip the dessert
5.   Drink water with lemon
6.   Pass the nearest bread basket around the table and away from you

Sounds easy but it takes a lot of practice. Tip: Order broiled fish or baked chicken. These are generally safe options. Be careful with salad. A lot salads are packed full of hidden calories (like Houston's traditional salad /bacon, regular cheese, croutons and eggs. Squid, Seaweed Octopus salads are yummy but both have at least 500 mg per serving. I will save these salads for a special occasion.

Hang in there and work the lunch strategy,
Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 58 - Girl Friends

Thank God for Girl Friends. YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I LOVE YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME AND ENCOURAGING ME TO STAY ON PLAN.

THANKS and have a Veggie Good Sunday,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 57 - Little Mary Sunshine

When I was in high school we put on a musical called Little Mary Sunshine. Mary sings "Don't be sad and gloomy, come and hark unto me and look for a sky of blue...or something like that. It has been more than 25 years so the words are a little fuzzy. Here is the point. When life throws you a curve ball hit it out of the park, when you find lemons in your bag instead of oranges make lemonade. When it is raining and stormy skip through the puddles in your bare foot. Life is hard but we must make the best of every situation.

Have a great weekend and a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 56 - Laugh at yourself

Yesterday, I wrote about loving yourself. Today, I encourage you to laugh at yourself. My father always says "do not sweat the small stuff." I think he is right. We can get so caught up in the "anxiety"of a situation or moment. It is okay to fall of the diet wagon every now and then. The important thing is to get back on plan and learn from your mistakes.

 Challenge: Laugh at yourself.

Tip: O magazine has a great article in the November issue about the spiritual journey of weight loss. In the words of my friend DH "this is a journey that you must take alone." Think about it.

Have a super FRIDAY and a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 54 - Talk to yourself

It is okay to talk to yourself. I love the character Mr. Brown in Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns. He says "I said to myself - self?" I love that quote. Today, say something positive to yourself about yourself. Hug yourself and celebrate the wonderful life that God has given you.

Challenge: Write down one positive affirmation today, tomorrow and the day after. Then keep doing it until you reach goal.

Tip: Try doing this when you wake or before going to bed.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 54 - Veggie forever

Hi everybody,

I have really been working on eliminating meat from my diet. It is hard because I LOVE COW!!!!
The bottom line - to stay fit and trim 4ever you have to tilt to a veggie lifestyle. Sorry. I know you hate to hear it but fruit and veggies less meat = fitandslim4ever.

Tip:  The FitandSlim4ever Veggie Bowl - 1 bag of steam fresh brown rice, 2 cups fresh mushrooms, 1 bag of pic sweet green peas, 2 Jolly Green Giant Carrot and Broccoli single serves, 1 pack Jolly Green Giant asparagus tips, 2 tablespoons onion powder, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon adobe low sodium seasoning, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Mix and stir well and ENJOY all week. Pack this power booster in single serving glad storage containers. Girl FUEL.

Send me some of your VEGGIE FUEL recipes. How do you get through the day? I look forward to hearing from you.

Note: I am so thankful for the amazing people that allow me to be a part of their lives. I salute my friends and thank you for supporting and praying for me. Special thanks to JR, TBT, RT, CT, DH, RO, GW, TS and my wonderful aunt Joyce and the Big Fella.  I love you so very much.

Have a VEGGIE GOOD DAY,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 53 - STRESS and food

Have you ever had one of those days when you wanted to eat something really BAD FOR YOU? The urge to splurge usually occurs when we are having some difficulty. In order to curb these urges we need to develop some coping skills.  I am going to imagine myself in Tahiti...lying on the beach in a swimsuit that would STOP A SHARK ATTACK IN A BLOOD BATH. LOL. I will picture myself sipping delicious chardonnay and munching on lobster and crab. Yummmmlicious!

Tip: Picture yourself in a fabulous evening gown, bathing suit, leather pants - WHATEVER

Challenge - Make it happen. I am going to make it to Tahiti - sooner than later. I hope to see you there.

Have a beautiful week and a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 52 - Sodium

I love kosher pickles. Unfortunately pickles will be going on the "do not mess with" list. Did you know that one medium kosher pickle has 1,181mg of sodium? I also love cottage cheese but one cup contains 819mg of sodium. I recently learned that pasta sauce is very high in sodium. Hunt's makes a low sodium tomato sauce that can be used to make spaghetti.

Here are some tips for cutting back on sodium:
- At restaurants, ask the chef to cut back on the salt when your meal is prepared
- Have salad dressings and condiments served on the side instead
- Buy additive free organic chicken and cut back on more than 400 mg of sodium
- season food with salt free spices like Mrs Dash

Tip: Try to avoid food items with more than 400mg per serving. Look for low sodium/salt portions with 140mg or less

Challenge: Shake things up but leave the salt on the table.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 51 - Surviving Anything and Coming Out Stronger

Yesterday, I went to the opening night of Colored Girls. The movie was an adaption of the famous play "For Colored Girls Who Have Committed Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enough." I first saw the play in college. It is a raw look at the lives of several African American women who are connected by work, family, situation and crisis.   The movie (just like the play) forces you to think long and hard about the choices that women make in order to survive, justify and ultimately honor their lives.

The movie made me think about my struggle with weight. I am the only one that can change my situation. God has already determined my destiny. NOW - it is up to me to make the most of the wonderful opportunities that our heavenly father has placed before me.

Challenge: This week I will not make excuses. I will justify and honor my life. I will make the most of every moment. I will live-love every minute of every day. I will take care of the incredible body machine that God created inside of me.  I will not sleep walk through my life.
I challenge you to do the same.

Have a beautiful Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

FITANDSLIM4EVER 50 DAY CELEBRATION

We are now 50 days into the blog. It has been a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone for supporting my weight loss efforts. My dog has also lost weight. She is now 2 pounds lighter because there are no extra scraps coming her way. LOL

Are you ready for Thanksgiving. This is our next major hurdle. Over the next 3 weeks I am going to blog about holiday diet survival. We can do it.

We need to develop a game plan for surviving holiday parties and schedules. How should we handle the days when we have been out shopping all day?  It is so tempting to go to the food court. (refer to my fast food blog for the numbers)

I hope to share recipes and remedies. So let's get set for a great holiday season.

See you tomorrow and have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 49 - Dig a little deeper

Today I completed week 7 on WW. 13.5 lbs smaller. I have learned a lot of things during my time on WW.

First, I am so thankful to have the time and energy to get myself healthy

Second, Why did I end up here - AGAIN. How many times have I hit goal only to bounce back up the scale? I have been asking myself this question for weeks. Answer - old habits are hard to break.  It takes a lot of strength to say no to the hamburger. LOL

Third, Food that is low in calories and fat CAN BE DELICIOUS. I do not need to add salt to EVERYTHING THAT I EAT.

Fourth, I have an amazing support system of family and friends

Fifth, It is easier to find cute closes when you are skinny

Sixth, I sleep better at night

7 WEEKS DOWN - the rest of my life ahead of me.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 48 - Gina Day

Today my post is in honor of my friend Gina Myles. Gina passed away a year ago on November 1. She died of breast cancer. Gina was SO MUCH fun. She had a big smile and an even bigger personality.
She was always the last one in the mirror because of her makeup. Gina was a professional make up artist and founder of Let's Face It. I love my friend Gina. She was a true blue friend.

So here is to GINA - I hope she is sitting on a cloud enjoying the view.

Have a VEGGIE GOOD DAY,
FitandSlim4ever

Day 47 - Nuts about YOU

Feeling a little nutty today. You can chop up nuts and freeze them in plastic bags for later. Nuts pack a lot nutrients that you need to keep your engine running.

Cashews - perfect portion 14 - 75 mg of magnesium
Walnuts - perfect portion 14 halves - a serving of walnuts equals a daily dose of omega-3
Almonds - perfect portion 23 - help you digest food
Pistachios - perfect portion 49 - lower cholesterol and fight heart disease

Challenge: Go get some nuts.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever