Heading in the Right Direction

Greetings Friends~

This last week has been filled with challenges and opportunities.

My knees are still aching. The small step that I wanted to take this weekend, to get a workout in, didn't really materialize. I may have been able to push myself with a Last Chance workout but feared I would do more damage than good. Instead I concentrated on making sure that I made the correct choices in the foods that I ate.

My cousin got married on Saturday so I baked two huge pans of Mexican Tortilla casserole to take to the reception. It looked pretty tasty but I have no idea whether it was because I sure wasn't going to start down that rocky road of carb goodness. My aunt asked me to ride shotgun over the reception...kind of like the master of ceremony...so that there wouldn't be too much of a stampede to the buffet line.

I must say that attempting to eat healthy sure has changed some of my perceptions and behaviors. I had a good opportunity to watch as wedding guests streamed past the food, and it appeared to me as if the end of the world was certainly near. It had to be...people were taking SO much food that certainly they must have had plans to stockpile it in their suit coats or purses. It was really embarrassing, and at times, down right gross. There is nothing visually appealing about seeing that green lime jello with cottage cheese oozing across the fried chicken like gravy.

Then, after a brief moment of feeling superior, I realized that just four short weeks ago, I was one of the jello scheming hoarding masses. Intent on making sure that I got enough the first time through the line to sustain me until I could rush the line again.

It is nice to know that I am changing. I'm aware that I have a VERY long way to go but at least I am headed in the right direction. Soon I hope to be able to get back on the treadmill. I have to tell you that I do miss the activity...I do miss the stairs also...go figure.

But, I think I learned my lesson about trying too much too soon so now I'll continue to do small steps that are more realistic for me. My small step for tonight is to pack my gym bag so I can be ready for a light workout tomorrow.

I hope that you all had a good weekend. This is the start of our second month. Please ask yourself if you are satisfied with the effort that you have devoted to this so far. If you are, keep it up. If you aren't, there is no time like today to change.

Our member Randy took a fall this weekend off a ladder and hurt his knee. We are all waiting to see just how bad it is. Last I heard, it is broke. Not the ladder...the knee. You are in my thoughts RU. If you get well soon, I promise I'll bring you a bag of sugar free peppermint Lifesavers!

Shopping Tips

Fred Meyer has the following items on sale through next Saturday; Apples and pears, $.68 pound, Campbell's Chunky Soup, 10 for $10, medium avocados and bags of peeled carrots, 2 for $1, bone-in chicken breasts, $.97 a pound, and wild Alaskan silver salmon fillets, $4.99 a pound.

Inspiration of the Day

There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. - Norman Vincent Peale

 Recipe of the Day
 
Here is a simple alternative to the standard steamed cauliflower -
http://www.recipezaar.com/Low-Fat-Cauliflower-with-Bacon-778

Tomorrow I will be posting the Week 4 Results as well as figures for how we have done over the last month. Keep up the hard work everyone. I know how tough it can be to be excited about depriving ourselves of the pleasure we get from food but remember that we are only doing this One Step at a Time. In a few months this will all seem like it was a piece of ... er...piece of cheese... hang in there Travelers.

Remember, if you see someone in your family or a co-worker or a friend struggling with their weight, or if it is just yourself, join us for this journey. I guarantee you'll enjoy the ride.

Happy Trails!