Still In It to Win It

I have been very bad about blogging. All I can say is that LIFE happens. It is hard to believe that you can get up in the morning and never stop until bed time.  Is this a good thing? NO!!!!!

You are probably wondering whether or not I am still on the WW program. The answer is YES!!! I am in it to win it. This weekend I will be doing my first 5K with my WW walking group. We are really looking forward to a great day. The other day my dad walked 2 miles with me. When we started out he boasted that he was in much better shape than me. HA HA HA . The truth hurts pappa bear.

Are you still in it to win it? I sure hope so. Please do not take my blog absence as a sign of defeat. I am still here and working hard to make lifestyle changes. This has been a journey...and I am starting to figure some things out about myself. Example: I like myself. Do you like yourself? That is the QUESTION. So many people hate themselves and the lives that they lead. I think this often manifests into weight gain and depression. When you make yourself a priority everything else falls into order.

I am letting some things go and making a few adjustments. Try it. It works. It is really OK to say "I do not want this or I want to go in another direction." Think about it.

Have a Veggie Great Day,
Fit and Slim 4 Ever

A Royal Wedding

I confess. I will be up at dawn to watch Prince William and Kate get married. I remember getting up at dawn to watch Diana and Charles get married. It will be exciting and a lot of fun. Somewhere deep down inside I have some English blood. I love the whole story because it reminds us all that there is such a thing as true love and happily ever after. I know some of you are wondering whether Kate will end up miserable like Diana. I do not think so- William seems do different from his father.  I think they will have a wonderful life together.

So what does a diet savvy royal watcher eat while glued to the tellie watching the nuptials on the tube? Well, might I suggest English Muffins :) with sausages (browned to a juicy perfection just like they are described in English novels, A coddled or soft poached egg or Kate's favorite "eggy toast".  What the hey- add some low calorie jam for a jolly good show of it. How about some TEA to wash it all down? After all - watching the Posh Set is very hard work.  I can't help but wonder what Jane Austin would make of it.

Whatever your venue, menu or space - take a minute to close your eyes and dream the impossible dream. Dream about having your greatest wish come true. Dream about being a prince or princess for a day. Most importantly, enjoy a few minutes of positive TV. There is a lot to cry about in this world. Tomorrow we can all be Brits for the day - Hurrah!

Get some sleep and set your alarm,
Have a Veggie Good Day
FitandSlim4ever

Happy Easter

Happy Easter,

I love Easter. It is one of the best days of the entire year. Easter is a time of renewal, redemption and change. It is a time to make a fresh start. To resurrect your spirit and strive for better things. I am going to make the most of this Easter-new start. I am going to keep pushing forward with my lifestyle changes. I will show up for all of my training sessions with my 5k team, I will give thanks for the life that God has given me - MOST IMPORTANTLY - I will strive to stay focused, centered and grounded.

What is your Easter promise? Use this time to reflect on the mission and purpose of your life. Today the sermon was "Easter is here..." Make the most of it.

Have a Veggie Great Day,
FitandSlim4ever

HAIR

Last fall a big chunk of my hair fell out.  It was pretty bad. You could see my scalp so I decided to cut my hair . (I now have a short version of a pixie) It was a great move on my part. Eight months later... the bald spot is gone. Here is my recipe for restoring hair:

1) Everyday I cut the top off of a vitamin E capsule and applied it to my scalp.
2) I increased my intake of vitamin D by taking 2 capsules every morning
3) I cut my hair to give it a break and reduce the need for heat appliances like flat irons and curling irons
4) I got a new hair stylist (sometimes you have to try something different).
5) I started my fitness program

Today my hair looks a lot healthier and I feel much better about my crowning glory.  Be sure that you are getting enough nutrients and vitamins. Healthy nails, hair and skin must be nourished by a healthy diet and lots of water.

Have a wonderful Veggie Great Day,
FitandSlim4ever

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