Boy, Can I Relate to That

Greetings Friends~

Eight short weeks ago that was me on the couch...seriously. I was in a trough of despair over my health and obesity. I spent most of my spare time horizontal, eating, watching TV and sleeping. Our couch now has a permanent impression of my ass. I kid you not.

What changed? I think I started changing when I figured out that there is going to be another season of Biggest Loser on and the time to lose is now. I didn't want to be watching another finale show, thinking to myself how I should have started this 12 weeks ago. As I've said before, I was sick of being fat.

I know that this addiction is just as fatal as alcohol or drug use. It may actually be worse because it is easier for me to rationalize. I mean, everybody has to eat, don't they?

I am only a short distance down the path of a very long trip and here is the amazing part. Where I once had NO motivation, I now have TONS. It isn't even conceivable right now that I would lay around on the couch all day doing nothing when I could be working around the house or at the gym. Why is that? I think I'm getting accustomed to being active. My body has more energy and there is less pain involved now.

The more I lose, the better I feel. The more I lose, the more confidence I have. The more I lose, the more I want to lose. It is like the opposite of a self defeating spiral. This is a self accomplishing spiral, upwards.

I gained seven pounds last week. S-E-V-E-N!! Holy Crap-a-rooni! When I got on that scale Monday morning, it was DEPRESSING. Not only disappointing that I gained so much but now I will have to lose that and more before I can post a loss on here. My first thought was to quit. Screw it. It's all over. The fat man is singing. But then I remembered "if you want to dance, you gotta pay the band". I ate those curly fries (which, by the way were not anywhere near as good as I thought they would be) so now I need to pay for it. Quit whining, Chet, and get back on track. Nobody likes a quitter.

Inspiration of the Day

Make it a point to do something every day that you don't want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain. – Mark Twain, 1835-1910, American Writer and Humorist

Recipe of the Day

I love salmon but get tired of always eating it the same old way. This sounds like a nice change of pace.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Easy-Low-Fat-Creamy-Dill-Salmon-150230

Shopping Tips

Anyone that knows me, knows that I have a few favorite things in life. One is to go grocery shopping and another is to cook. So, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because I get to do tons of both. Here are the sales for Thanksgiving.

Safeway has 16 pound + frozen turkeys (with $25 purchase) for $.27 a pound, gallon milk for $1.99, broccoli and cauliflower for $.78 a pound, 2 liter 7-up products (limit 3) for 3 for $1, medium oysters 10 oz jar for $3.99, BLACK OLIVES 4 cans for $5, Eating Right frozen entrees 5 for $10.

Top Foods has Butterball turkeys 12-24 pounds (with $25 purchase) for $.69 a pound,  Roma tomatoes and brussel sprouts for $.87 a pound, Hass avocados (medium) for $.47 each, Haggen butter (with coupon) $.99 a pound (limit 2), Martinelli's sparkling cider for 4 for $10 and Fresh Express Salad blends at 3 for $5.

Albertsons has 16 pound + frozen turkeys (with $25 purchase) for $.27 a pound, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cranberry sauce for $.57 each, 29 oz canned cut sweet potatoes for $.97, celery at $.50 a pound, Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers for $2.19 and Stove Top Stuffing for $.87 each.

Ralph's Thriftway has celery for $.68 each, yams for $.68 a pound, FRESH turkeys 10-24 lbs for $.99 a pound, Western Family canned vegetables 5 cans for $3, Swanson broth for $.69 a can, sour cream for $.99 each, green onions or bunch radishes 2 for $.88, and 1 pound peeled baby carrots for $1 a bag.

My small step for today is to do another Last Chance workout at the gym tonight. The more I lose this week, the better, since Turkey Day is always a challenge. I would like all you Travelers to post a comment with your hints for others about lower calorie alternatives to traditional holiday fare. Remember, doing one small thing like substituting 99% fat free chicken broth for the butter in your mashed potatoes, is like money deposited into your weight loss account. Today is a new day so do your small step and take things One Step at a Time.

Happy Trails!