Blood Oranges - Seeing Red and Walking Tall

I tried a blood orange today. IT WAS GREAT. It was kind of tart but also a little sweet. I like the look of the orange. VERY RED AND JUICY. I highly recommend this wonderful spring treat.

Guess What? I signed up for my first 5K walkathon. More importantly, I volunteered to co-coordinate with one of my WW classmates. Our team will start training next week for the May 22 5k. I have already started my personal training schedule. It is staggered so that you gradually build up strength and endurance. Stay tuned for more about the walkathon. I think it is going to be a lot of fun.

One of my friends told me this morning to "stop and say thank you for all of my blessings." He was right. We all need to pause and pray for peace, love and blessings for our world, our friends and ourselves. We also need to say thank you for our health, well being, family, friends and everything we have.

I am thankful for this blog and a second chance to do better for myself. My prayers go out for my friend GW and her family. Stay centered - we love you.

Have a great Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

Pilates Please

Wow! It is good to be back on my blog. I have been very bad about keeping up with my posts. I intend to do better.

I am at a point in my fitness journey when boredom is starting to set in. My cure - SWITCH IT UP AND MIX AND MATCH. Sound crazy? Well, that is my new plan. I have decided to try some new things...Pilates, Yoga and Meditation. This morning I am going to do 1 hour of Pilates for beginners. I started Yoga three weeks ago. It is very very hard...or I am very very stiff. LOL.  I will let  you know how the Pilates thing works out.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes discipline and hard work. I am determined not to go back. NEVER. It is hard. In order to stay on course I have to constantly talk to myself and invent new ways to keep myself on track. This weekend I had to go to Baton Rouge for a luncheon. I used my WW tools to prepare for the day. First, I reviewed the restaurant menu online, Second, I packed a snack, Third, I ate breakfast, Fourth, I limited myself to 1/2 of the salad, no bread, 1/4 of the entree and a few bites of dessert. This method works because it keeps you from feeling deprived. I skipped the wine and sipped on ice water. Crisis averted. I survived. It also helped that the food was average. I focused on the fellowship.

I hope you are finding ways to switch it up. Keep things interesting so that we can stay on plan.

Have a Veggie Great Day,
FitandSlim4ever.

Bone Tired

Today, I am bone tired. I am exhausted. I have been wondering how to pep myself up. Here is what I have learned:

• Exercise - it really helps. Today I am pushing myself out of the door. It is fun once you finally get started.
• Clean Eating - it helps keep your engine running and  your pipes clear. :)  
• Supplements - taking supplements has helped me maintain my energy. I recently experienced some hair loss so I increased my intake of certain supplements. It has really helped my hair 
• Veggies - Your body needs fuel to burn fat. I have started making a super salad with spinach and several varieties of lettuce, tomato, mushroom, red onion, slivered onions, cranberries and whatever else is on hand. I make a dressing with a safflower base and use a pinch of pepper to season. 
• Water - flush it out. Water works miracles.

Challenge:  Find 2 new ways of powering up when you feel like taking a nap. :) 

Tip:  Walk the DOG!!!!

Have a Veggie Great Day,

FitandSlim4ever

Out Sick with Spring Fever?

Spring Fever! I have a very bad case of Spring Fever. Have you ever looked out the window during a meeting and wished that you were lying on your lounge chair? You know things are bad when you can't wait to sit on the porch in the evening.  Once you are on the porch you must have a glass of wine - then some cheese or grapes. How can this be? Good News. You can manage to have your wine and cheese and stay on plan. Look for low fat cheeses like Baby Bell or Laughing Cow Light or reduce your portion of goat cheese to 1 ounce. Look for crackers that are full of healthy grains. I love Sesmark Sesame Thin All Natural Wheat Crackers with Flax  Seeds. The crackers have a points plus value of 3 for 8 crackers. The grapes are 0 points.....SO HIT THE PORCH, PATIO OR YARD and relax. You deserve a break today.

Have a Veggie Good Day,
FitandSlim4ever

40 Days and 40 Nights

Hello Out There- I have been missing in action for the last 2 weeks. I am sorry about not blogging. I know you understand. We all get busy. Moving on...So, it is officially LENT. I love LENT because it is a time of  sacrifice and reflection. I have decided to give up NEGATIVITY for LENT. That is right. For the next 38 days I will practice what we preach as Christians. I will lean on my faith, believe that all things are possible and most importantly - I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN GOD. Sounds easy? Wrong. We are conditioned to worry. We are accustomed to being in control - We are not in control. Have you seen the movie the Adjustment Bureau. You should check it out. I will not spoil it for you. Let me know what you think about the movie.

What are you giving up for LENT? Make it worth it. Make this time of reflection count for something. Get ready for Easter and the promise of rebirth and renewal that comes with the risen Christ.

Japan- Please keep the people of Japan in your prayers. Life is fragile. So be good to yourself. You will not get a do over.

Have a Veggie Great Day!!!!
FitandSlim4ever

I am a FIREWORK

I love Katy Perry's song Firework. The words say "Do you know that there is a spark in you - you just gotta ignite the light...cause baby you are a firework...show what you are worth as you shoot across the sky."

I love that song. This WW adventure has been a wonderful experience. I have realized that it IS POSSIBLE to manage my weight and maintain my sanity. I am also grateful for my wonderful family and friends. I thank you for always making me feel like a FIREWORK.  This week I challenge everyone to let your colors show- do something new- wear a new blouse, change your lipstick, get a hair cut - DO NOT THINK. ACT.  BE A FIREWORK.

Goal - Pick out a vegetable that you have never tried before - like Rhubarb or Chard. Last week I tried yellow organic carrots. They are SOOSOSO good. This week I spent an hour in the produce section. Can you believe it? I looked at everything and left with bags full of "good for you stuff." I am going to try boiling some Rhubarb this weekend. Stay tuned.

Congrats to VG and the Atlanta ladies for joining the WW family. I am proud of you. Keep texting me with updates. It takes a village.

Challenge:  Measure everything. Portion control is a must.

Tip: Keep all of your scales and measuring scoops in the same place. It will help you find things in a hurry.

I wish you a Veggie Good Weekend,
FitandSlim4ever

Monday - Go for green

At Curves we have a saying "Go for Green." That means try to keep the weight machine light on green not red. Green means that you are on track, working at the right level and intensity with the right number of repetitions. Green is Good.

This week I am going to try to stay on Green.

Challenge No 1: Green Tea - I am going to drink Green Tea at least once every day this week.
Challenge No 2: Green Vegetables - I am going to add a green vegetable to my dinner every night this week
Challenge No 3:   I am going to work very hard to keep the house GREEN by recycling and eliminating waste, cutting back on electric consumption and reducing water usage.

I hope you will go green with me this week?

Fruit of the Week:  Pineapple

Pineapple is full of good stuff, including Vitamin C. Pineapple is at its peak from March to June.  Yummie.

Have a Veggie Good Green Day,
FitandSlim4ever