What's Weighing You Down?

By nature I'm a mild manner person. If something is bothering me I usually won't express it. I hate conflict and try to avoid it at all cost. However I think by not confronting issues in my life has cause me to turn inward. I'm physically wearing my pain because I didn't confront things head on. I have fed my pain by food. This process has to change if true healing is to take place. I have to start confronting things head on even if it makes me feel uncomfortable. The price is too high. I'm no longer willing to wear my pain. For example If I need to express myself to someone I will speak up. The key though is to speak the truth in love and not anger. I'm worth taking a stand for myself.

Healthy Recipes

From: Food Network.com
Courtesy Of: Rachael Ray, 30 Minutes to Eternal Bliss

Green Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:
2 teaspoons strawberry jam
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 pint strawberries, sliced
4 to 5 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens of any kind


Place jam in a medium bowl and whisk in vinegar then extra-virgin olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper. Add the strawberries and greens to bowl and toss to coat evenly in dressing.

Healthy Tips

I don't believe in deprivating yourself while dieting. It will only lead to overeating. We don't have to give up all the foods we love but the key is moderation. For example allow yourself one free day a week where you can eat junk food. If you eat well 90% of the time you will still be successful at losing weight. This will also provide motivation for you to do well during the week knowing you can reward yourself at the end of the week.

Revive My Soul

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

Lord I ask that you give me counsel & instruct me on what I need to do to lose my weight. I look to you to give me the diet plan that is detailed perfectly for me. You have all knowledge in your hands Lord. Amen

Weighing In

I didn't want to post my weight today but the whole point of this blog is to be open and honest about the ups and downs of trying to lose weight. I'm no longer running from the truth but I embrace it. Well I weighed in at 292....what the heck? Trying to not to be discouraged but the scale is going in the wrong direction. I will admit I been eating too much junk like chips, pop, etc... I need to cut back and look for healthier alternatives. I aslo need to exercise. I commit this week to walk in place for 10 minutes daily. I will start off slowly and increase over time. I think eventually I will invest in a treadmill. It will be a worthwhile investment because it will be for my health which is priceless.
For all of you out there that is fighting the weight battle with me hang in there. And most of all don't give up! You may fall off but keep on getting up.

What's Weighing You Down?

It's almost summer and I'm happy to see the warmer weather but I admit it I was a little sad while recently trying on some summer outfits from last year. I noticed they were a little tighter. Clothes don't lie. I would love to say they shrunk in the dryer but I'm need to keep it 100% real with myself. The truth is that I was smaller last summer but I can and will get back there in Jesus name!

Healthy Recipes

From: Food Network
Courtesy Of: Giada De Laurentiis, Birthday Party

Salmon Baked in Foil
4 (5 ounces each) salmon fillets
2 teaspoons olive oil plus 2 tablespoons
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tomatoes, chopped, or 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, drained
2 chopped shallots
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme


Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Sprinkle salmon with 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir the tomatoes, shallots, 2 tablespoons of oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.

Place a salmon fillet, oiled side down, atop a sheet of foil. Wrap the ends of the foil to form a spiral shape. Spoon the tomato mixture over the salmon. Fold the sides of the foil over the fish and tomato mixture, covering completely; seal the packets closed. Place the foil packet on a heavy large baking sheet. Repeat until all of the salmon have been individually wrapped in foil and placed on the baking sheet. Bake until the salmon is just cooked through, about 25 minutes. Using a large metal spatula, transfer the foil packets to plates and serve.

Healthy Tips

You may feel like you don't have time to exercise but I bet you have five minutes. For five minutes every hour get up from your cubicle at work or get off that couch and do some sort of activity like walking, just get moving. You will be amazed how these minutes of activity will add up by the end of the day.

Revive My Soul

You've heard the saying the truth will set you free. Let's embrace the truth. For example instead running from the mirror look at yourself and really see yourself as you are. Let's no longer be in denial and deal with the truth. Embracing the truth will start the healing process and set you free.

Please Note

I've decided to switch my blog schedule around. Instead of weighing in on Monday, I will now do this on Friday. I thought it would be a good idea to start out Monday on a positive note with the devotional revive my soul. Healthy recipes will now be posted Wednesday.

Healthy Recipes

Citrus Chicken

From: Food Network
Courtesy Of: Guy Fieri, Chicken N Rice, Everything's Nice

4 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, about 2 oranges
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon chiffonade fresh mint leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons chiffonade basil leaves
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons minced shallots
1 tablespoon celery seeds

Glaze:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1/2 cup orange marmalade (look for marmalade with small rinds)
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup reserved marinade, strained


Glaze, recipe follows

Combine all the ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving 1/4 cup for glaze and put the chicken in a 13 by 9-inch pan and bake for 45 minutes. Baste with the glaze, turn the pieces over and bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes, basting every 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and arrange the chicken on a serving platter.

In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the shallots and ginger and saute for 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Baste the chicken with the glaze after 45 minutes.

What's Weighing You Down?

I was a little stress earlier this week and I wanted to eat some junk food so bad. I am going to have find other ways to relieve stress. Some alternatives would be to take a warm bubble bath, knit, curl up with a good book, instead of grabbing for the chips, cookies, etc.. What are your stress relievers?

Revive My Soul

Isaiah 40:26
"Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing."

Healthy tips

If you don't drink enough water it can actually make you gain water weight and puffiness because the body is holding onto water from the lack of water. So make water your beverage of choice. Also to jumpstart your metabolism drink a hot cup of water with lemon first thing in morning, it also aids in digestion.

P.S. I didn't weigh in yesterday but I will make sure I do next Monday,so stay tuned!

Katie's Story

This is a special post today. Meet my friend Katie West. She has successfully lost weight and I asked her to share her story with us.

Read Katie's story below:
The last straw for me was seeing a picture of myself at my son’s first birthday party. I had tried my hardest to avoid cameras and this was the first time I had seen a picture of myself for quite some time. I obviously knew that I had a weight problem, but it wasn’t until that point that I truly saw it. I knew that if I wanted to raise my son to be a healthy and happy person, I needed to be a positive roll model. If I didn’t change, there was a good chance he would follow in my footsteps.

I knew that I would need help with my diet because I had never really attempted a weight loss program before. I looked into Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers, and after weighting the advantages and disadvantages I decided to use the Weight Watchers online program. This was perfect for me because I really didn’t have the confidence to walk into a meeting with others, but I had helpful tools to count my points online and I could read/post comments and questions on the website. I also knew that I had to add exercise into my program because dieting alone would help me lose weight, but I didn’t want to lose muscle as well. I started out walking and riding my bike. I got gutsy and decided to use my treadmill and jog a little. When I started jogging I could only do it for about 1-2 minutes. I am proud to say that I am currently training to run my first marathon (26.2 miles). I have completed 4 half marathons and numerous other smaller races.

My weight loss journey took about a year to complete and I lost nearly 100 pounds (98 to be exact). Although I was successful completing this journey, I started a new phase, maintaining my weight. This is something that I occasionally struggle with, but I know that I never want to go back to where I was before, and that is my motivation. Also, seeing my son run around all the time and excited to be active is such a wonderful reward. My son really likes fruits and veggies; he even says he loves them. I am so excited that I can confidently say, “I am raising a healthy and happy child.”

The most helpful tip I have for anyone trying to lose weight is to keep a positive outlook. I never said “If I lose the weight” I always said “When I lose the weight.” I would say that about 99% of weight loss is mental; you can either use it to your advantage or have it sabotage all your hard work. The beauty is that you and only you have the power to control it.

Starting weight 230 lbs
Currently weight 132 lbs
Height 5’6
Age 28


Congratulations Katie, thank you for sharing your story with us and being so open and transparent. I am so proud of you!!


If you would like to share your success story please email at mtinsley1212@aol.com

Healthy Recipes

Click below for a tasty chicken stir fry


http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-chicken-stir-fry-skillet-104755.aspx

What's Weighing You Down?

Can we talk? I have a question for you. Do you think we unconsciously sabatoge ourselves even though we aren't aware of it? I think we do and the main reason being fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of being successful. We get comfotable in mediocracy and staying where we are because it's a familiar place to us. We are afraid to reach for a new level because we never been there before. I had an aha moment about this. Last year when I got down to 252 I think unconsciously I got scared because it had been years since I've been below 250. I was so close, just on the tip & I sabatoge myself because I was scared. It's like your mind won't let you go there even though you really want too. I need to move beyond the fear and allow myself to be successful. Join me in letting go of the fear and forging ahead. We can do this.

Revive My Soul

I have a suggestion to make, why don't we start praying daily to God to help us lose weight. He is interested in all facets of our life, from the smallest to the greatest. He desires for us to be whole spiritually, mentally, and physically. He created our bodies and he wants us to take good care of it. Join me in praying the following prayer:

Lord I ask you to help me with losing weight. Heal the deep hidden places that cause me to overeat. Give me an appetite for good healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Bring balance and no excess in any area. Fill those empty places with your spirit. Lord complete me and bring wholeness lacking nothing. I pray in Jesus name. Amen

Healthy Tips

Ron Morelli from the biggest loser season 7 shared the following tips at a seminar I attended at work:


Get moving everyday. Do an activity you like so it won’t seem like a chore.

When you go shopping at grocery store just shop the outside of the store getting only fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats, and diary.

Eat fresh foods and stay away from processed foods.

Eat three meals a day and two snacks. A good measure of how many calories you need, if you active add 7 calories for every pound you weigh. For weight maintainance add 12 calories for every pound you weigh.

Eat regular yogurt. Stay away from anything that says low fat or lite, because it has too many additives in it.

Eat whole wheat pasta and no carbs after 4pm.

Don't add salt, instead use spices such as Mrs. Dash. Use onions & veggies to flavor food.

Don’t use margarine or spray but use butter and olive oil instead.

Weighing In

I weighed in this morning at 283, I'm not tripping though because I think I have water weight due to cycle. I haven't brought tape measure yet but I plan on doing this soon so I can take measurements.

Healthy Recipes

Bake Salmom:
Squeeze fresh lemon juice add dill spice to salmon. Wrap tightly in tin foil. Cook at 380 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Serve with steam vegetables.

What's Weighing You Down?

This week at work we had a seminar given by Ron Morelli from the biggest loser season 7. He was so inspirational. His highest weight was over 500 lbs pounds, he's down to 238 lbs. The main thing that stuck out to me is that he had to stop with all the excuses. So I'm committing today to stop with all the excuses. I am making up my mind to do this challenge to lose weight. Even if I fall off I won't give up and quit as I have done in the past.

P.S. Be sure to check back on Tuesday for Healthy Tips I'm going to share the tips Ron Morelli shared with us.