Quote

I read this on a blog this morning and absolutely loved the writing and meaning behind it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did:

I see it now, you surrendered to food. I don't mean that you gave up and relinquished your power to it in the conventional definition of "surrender"....no, you took a big sigh and made the decision to stop fighting against it. To accept that food was there to stay, and like any other reality, it had to be accepted and dealt with, collaboratively. If you couldn't beat it (and yourself) into submission, conquer it, than you had to find a way to co exist with it, in a way that allowed you both to flourish. That way, you're still you, in charge of you, enjoying and living with food which is free to be whatever it is.

AWESOME!

Recipe for faux chow mein

Faux chow mein - not too bad but definately not your chow mein from the take out place.

Frozen chicken strips
Peas
Celery
Bean sprouts
Onion
Salt to taste (I use Morton's light salt -same great taste just less sodium)
Whole wheat Ak-Mak crackers (in the fancy cracker aisle) for topping (1 cracker per serving)
1 - 2 tsp. olive oil

***You can make some to freeze so I didn't put measurments on the foods. 

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Cut celery and onions.  Heat pan with olive oil.

Sautee chicken strips, peas, celery, bean sprouts, and onion until hot.

Serve with 1 Ak-Mak cracker broken into bits on top.

I don't know how many calories it is but it's way less than real chow mein.

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Let me know if you try it and if you like it.

Thanks!

For Lori - Take It From the Cowboys & Cowgirls

Thoughts from the Cokeville Junior Rodeo -

Staying on the horse isn't what matters. It's getting back on more times than you fall off. You'll beat that horse in the end.

Fat Chick Walked/Ran the 5K Today!

I loved the story of Mindy's run in Boulder earlier this summer. That was some seriously awesome writing. I'm jealous. There's a secret part of me that thinks she could be a writer, I mean get paid to do it professionally, but I keep reading things that are a ton better than what I can do, between blogging and books, so I never go anywhere with it. I think I'll just stick to the reading and blogging.

But I digress. Here's the post I put on my personal health blog about my first 5K race experience:

It was a bright, chilly morning in Cokeville today. Someone said it was a little over 40 degrees, better than freezing, but still. Sue got me up at 5:30 am to head over to the park. On the way there, I was excited, thinking about the awesome feat I was going to accomplish today, doing a 5K and attempting to run part of it. A great thing, you know, for a fat chick. But I wasn't worried about whether or not I could finish, I mean I've been working out for a month, I just envisioned the feeling of success at the finish line. I'm just glad no one at registration was bold enough to enquire about my general health.

But as we headed up the canyon in Sue's friend's car, and the road just kept going and going, I thought, "Holy Cow, 3 miles is a long way!" At the top, standing around waiting for the race to start, I felt very conspicuous. I had to have been the heaviest person there. And not just that, I was the only one dorky enough to have a big camera strapped to me like a fanny pack. But since I knew it wasn't about racing, and just about finishing, I'd decided the night before to take my camera on the run.

Sue stretching out before the race.

Sue's friends, Becca and (Sue, fill in the blank, I'm horrible with names.)

Me and Sue, psyched and ready to go. It wasn't long into the race before I took off that sweatshirt, and tied it around my waist.

The race started right at 7:00am with a pistol shot. It only took about 10 seconds, maybe 20, for me to get left in the dust. Almost the entire rest of the way, the only people behind me were two walking moms with a stroller, and the 5-months-pregnant lady. I started off with a little jog, and it wasn't long before I started walking. As I was being passed, I could here someone say, "She's not even running." Yeah, shut up.

Just a little ways down the road, when almost everyone was still in a pack, these horses ran up to the gate to watch all the people pass.

It was so beautiful out there, with the sun coming up and the wonderful fresh air. If you're a runner, you want to live in Cokeville during the summer.

A small reminder that we are in ranch country.

I'd settled into a pace, where I would walk for a 20-count, then jog for a 20-count, gripping the tied sleeves of my sweatshirt to keep myself anchored. That count got longer, and longer, but when I rounded a corner, and saw this big house we'd passed on the way up, I knew I was getting closer.

It was a great feeling coming out of the canyon, and seeing the Flying J gas station. It couldn't have been much longer, about a mile or less, to the finish line. This was about the point where the "stroller chicks," as I came to think of them, were coming up on my heels, and I really wanted to beat them to the finish line. Sue met me at the corner of Main Street and the highway, where the cops were blocking traffic for the runners. It was great to see her. I eventually got passed by the stroller chicks, dang it, but I was determined not to get beat by the pregnant lady. I could hear her jogging behind me, and it occurred to me later that I cut a corner as I rounded the last bend before the finish line, because I was following Sue, who ran ahead to take my picture. I wonder if the pregnant lady was cussing at me. Oops!

Everyone clapped for me coming in to the finish line. It was great, although I bet they were thinking, "Man, I'm glad that's just about the last person, I'm ready for this to be done!"

Yey for me! My time was 47:56, which I thought was really good. I have short stubby legs, and I can rarely walk a 20-minute mile, so I know the jogging today helped my time. In total, I probably jogged about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way. Sue did really awesome with 28 minutes and change, meeting her goal of coming in under 30 minutes.

Me & Sue. Awesome!!

Our kids got up earlier than usual and met us just down the road from the park. Lily was after some donuts from the store. It wound up being closed, so later Zen took them down to the Flying J gas station to get them all sugared up. Thanks, sweetie.

It was good to see their sweet, crusty morning faces.

After the race, I just kept thinking, "Man, I gotta run more so I can run the whole 5K at Thanksgiving Point in October!" I ought to be 20 pounds lighter by then, and have broken 200 (oh, that is going to feel so good!!!), so I think it will be a good race. Sue, are you going to do the 10K?

Out of town and feeling the lbs.

I joined the blog and then went out of town for a week to a cabin wherin my family eats, drinks and be's merry for 6 days and 7 nights.  Grr.  I gained 4 pounds this week.  It was total anarchy.  So now I'm just going to start again tomorrow and aim for the things I was doing before.  I'm sure those 4 lbs will be gone soon because I do not eat like that at home.  Still. .  . grrrrrrr.

New Challenge

Wow, this blog has been really quite the last couple days. I hope most of you are out of town and enjoying the summer. I know Audrey is. In fact, she asked that I post a challenge for this round to keep us all motivated and going. Kind of funny, after reading Becky's last post, that was exactly the challenge I was going to do. I don't know about you, but I get exercise boredom really easily. That's when I begin to slip on everything. So by, next Friday, I want you to all try a new exercise. This doesn't need to be complicated. Some examples might be, go to the library and try a new exercise video, take the kids on a new hike, try running a little bit instead of walking (you might be surprised how in shape you've become), go for a bike ride instead of running. Looking for an easy, creative idea? Check out this website: http://workoutmommy.com/2010/04/07/deck-of-cards-workout/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Workoutmommycom+%28workoutmommy.com%29

This is a two part project and is worth 20 points: Do the exercise, and then tell us all about it. We could all use some new ideas! Can't wait to hear about the final results!

Try Something New

Walk it off, sister!

I did something new yesterday. I went on a small hike to the petroglyphs outside of Rock Springs, WY. You can read the full story, with 19 pics, on my regular blog at http://randomlyoddbits.blogspot.com/. It was a slow pace with little kids, and I probably didn't burn that many calories, but it was fun, and it got me thinking. I could shoot for a serious backpacking adventure sometime next summer, maybe Yellowstone Park. I've always wanted to visit there, and it's kind of lame that I've never been there, although I've managed to live in Wyoming for about 9 years of my life, about 5 years in college, and about 4 years now in Rock Springs. It would be a great goal to set.

I'm also attempting something new in the morning. I'm in town with my sister, maybe some of you know her, Sue? Ha, ha. Cokeville is celebrating its Centennial, and we came down to watch Lily in the junior rodeo. There is a 5K run in the morning, and I'm going to attempt it with Sue. Now, I will probably walk it more than I run it, but it feels like a good challenge to me. More tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Calling All Utah Women

October 9 2010

Where: Thanksgiving Point

Start Time: 10K Run starts at 8:30

5K Run/Walk starts at 8:35

Register: Open Now! $25(10K) $20(5K)

http://www.wasatchwoman.com/

http://www.active.com/

http://www.active.com/running/lehi-ut/wasatch-woman-love-your-body-5k10k-2010

(keyword: wasatch woman)

*Run is 3.72 miles (6K) to include Thanksgiving Point Gardens

I'm signed up! I'll be taking the kids so we'll most likely be doing the 5K walk. No men allowed! My mom did this run last year. The t-shirts were incredible. Cute design and my favorite, dri fit! The registration to pick up t shirts was a bit disorganized last year, but they said there are 5 places to pick your t shirt up this year. Anyone interested? What a perfect time of year for a race.

Dieting Humor

Okay, I don't know the source, but I ran across these over a year ago, and they're worth posting again. Enjoy!!

True. There are days when not only do you feel like eating the whole cake by yourself, you'd also eat the plate it came on.

Yep, yep, yep. It's a classic lesson in dieting math.

Dinner

I just sent out an e mail to all those in Utah next week. Check out your e mail and let me know your plans.

Good read anyone?

I think I have to read this book. It's only in hardback right now. But it sounds right up our alley. Here's a blurb from online:
"The way you eat is inseparable from your core beliefs about being alive. No matter how sophisticated or wise or enlightened you believe you are, how you eat tells all. The world is on your plate. When you begin to understand what prompts you to use food as a way to numb or distract yourself, the process takes you deeper into realms of spirit and to the bright center of your own life. Rather than getting rid of or instantly changing your conflicted relationship with food, Women Food and God is about welcoming what is already here, and contacting the part of yourself that is already whole—divinity itself."

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations to Becky!
She did an amazing job not only eating healthy but completing her 30 point challenge and getting started on something she wants to finish.

That's the way to stay well rounded girl! Keep up the good work and pushing us all.

There were many of us that were in the high 300's. Great job to you all!

Reverse Thoughts Are In Order

I read this and thought it was so neat.

I will always be fat
And I refuse to believe that
I can loose this weight
I do
realize that isn't the way most people think but
"Eating to live instead of living to eat"
That's jut not working out, and I truly believe
Eating what I want will make me happier in the end
It's just a big fat lie, thinking
Being fit is the most important thing in my life.
Now I understand that
Making myself happy with food
Is more important than
Making myself healthy with food
And this much is true:
People are succeeding at loosing weight every day
But I know in my heart this will not be the case for me
This could wind up killing me
Doctors tell me
I will shorten my life and steal time away from my family
Right now it doesn't seem possible that
I can change my ways and be fit for the rest of my life
This is what I believe:
This journey is just to tough for me
I don't even want to consider the fact that
I can control the causes of my shortcomings and my failings
It's just a fact of life that
People like me are weak willed and lazy
And it's ridiculous to believe that
I will loose weight and be healthy


Now, read it backwards

Amazing? Not only are we changing our eating habits, but our mental habits too!
`

The Much Anticipated Meeting

I don't really want to take up blog space for this, but I don't have everyone's e mail address who are in on this and some haven't responded to e mail yet. The idea of meeting Wednesday night instead of Thursday has been thrown out there. I think if we meet for a brunch during the day it will be harder for everyone with babysitting and other activities. So I need to know if everyone can meet Wednesday night instead? Sue and Becky could meet Wednesday night if that were the case. If not we'll still plan on Thursday. I'll send out a more formal meeting of the final date, time, and location on e mail.

Post Your Points Here!

Ladies! Can you believe that another challenge is over? I can't! Please post your points here so I can get our winner up ASAP!

Also, don't forget we start again on Monday!

You are all doing SO AWESOME! I'm like a proud mom!

Have a great weekend!

The Choices We Make...

Have you ever noticed that this weight loss journey can be a two step forward, on step back kind of deal? You'll score a good week, feel like you are doing great, and then comes a little slip up. A night out. A lunchtime celebration. A slice of pizza that turns into half a pie. Sometimes I go through days where I feel like a rock star, and other times I feel like this weight is never going to come off.

But there is something we all need to understand: Falling Is Not Failing!

Giving In Is Not Giving Up!

It is such a hard game. One minute you feel like you've got a handle on things. You might even feel like it is so easy. The next minute, you find yourself struggling, hungry for something you know won't fill you up, won't make you happy.

This is a game of chance, not a game of luck. The setbacks are just us, doing in our hearts what we know is not right. We can make excuses. I used to see skinny people and think how lucky they were to not struggle with their weight. But, it's the choices they make verses the choices I make.

We either choose to do it, or not. Even though it sometimes doesn't feel like a choice, it most definitely is. The rules are so simple: get the eating under control, and work a little exercise into your day. Make good choices most days and the best one available to you on the other days.

It's not easy, and it's not a game. It's your life and a roll of the dice isn't what gets you moving. It's just you.

Tuna Spread - Make It A Meal For Under 400 Calories

Yummy! It's a tuna spread, 7 Triscuit Reduced Fat crackers, a sliced roma tomato, and a nectarine. And the whole thing is only 334 calories, and probably 1/2 of your fruit and veggie requirements for the day. Wahoo!!

You make the tuna spread with:
-2 tablespoons Naturally Yours fat free sour cream (the one that looks like a black and white cow, so yummy! it's the BEST fat free sour cream, smooth and tangy)
-1/2 cup Bumble Bee tuna chunk light in water
-1/2 cup chopped celery (you could also add some chopped green onions for just a few extra calories, and 1 tablespoon of sliced almonds for only 45 extra calories)
-1/4 tsp. dried dill

This spread reminds me of a similar recipe that had a cream cheese base I used to make when I was a young teenager. But this tastes awesome, too, and I'm sure has waaaay less fat and calories than the original. This would also be great on a sandwich, or in a pita with lettuce.

Last chance for those 10 points.

Don't forget to either post of put your comment in Ms. Thunder Bumper's challenge to tell us what you're favorite post is. It's worth 10 points and could make you the winner this go around.

If you haven't already go back and see the comments section and the post that inspired some of our participants!

Tomorrow is the last day for this round and then we start again on MONDAY!

Mormons are Peculiar People

What you see in this picture is what Mindy is going to be in five days. She is missing in action because she has been traveling and is now preparing to Trek, you know that peculiar thing the Mormons do. I'll be heading out to Colorado to watch her cute girlies and then on to Utah where I hope to trek to some restaurant between Draper and American Fork to have a reunion and salad with you fabulous Healthy Wives out west. Alicia, I'm hoping you'll pick a spot where we can all meet on Thursday 29 July say about 6:30 or 7:00PM. In the mean time leave an encouraging comment for Mindy as she prepares to be a Ma to 8 teens and walk over 30 miles through Wyoming in the middle of July.

For All You Running Mothers Out There...

And those who wonder what's the point:

http://workoutmommy.com/2010/07/14/run-like-a-mother/