The Incredible Shrinking Stomach....err...Man

Greetings Friends~

Today was my Week 6 weigh in. As you all know, with Vegas looming next week, I desperately want to get down into the two hundreds before we leave.

I have been watching everything that I eat and logging it into my FitDay account. Most days I am averaging about 1500 calories and no more than 20 grams of carbs. Occasionally I go one or two grams over on my carb count but I'm not obsessing about it.

I have been working out now for over a month. My body is beginning to respond with extra stamina and less muscle pain. I am starting to look forward to my evening workout after sitting at my desk for most of the day. On the weekends, I try to make it an important part of my routine. I now attempt to schedule other activities in such a way that it still allows me to get some kind of workout in.

I suppose that my house could be cleaner...my car could be cleaner...I could do more yard work...essentially, there are lots of chores that I could spend more time doing. Right now I am working on me...on what is good for me.

At the Halloween party on Saturday I ate some salmon, boiled shrimp, a few deviled eggs and two small helpings of my much requested Caesar salad (pushing the croutons to one side).

Over the weekend I had several worthwhile workouts. Yesterday my Last Chance Workout was about 2-1/2 hours long...non-stop...not record breaking speeds at any one activity...just slow and steady. I was very exhausted when done but I felt great and I slept like the dead.

The best part of my progress is that I am now starting to scavenger hunt through the closet for different clothes. While I have a long way to go, I am now starting to wear things that I haven't for several years. People comment that they see the difference. I have to look really hard to see it because, I am so use to seeing my chubby face in the mirror, that it is hard for me to recognize anything else. I do think I now have ONE less chin. But, I do see it in my stomach...instead of being eleven months pregnant, I think I could pass for eight and a half. Hey, I'll take it.

My glucose reading this morning (with less Metformin daily then before) was at 95. My blood pressure this morning at the weigh in was 110/68. My weight was...yeah, right...guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow night to find out.

I hope that you are feeling better also. If you can't feel the difference, keep on track. Small steps will get you big results if you stick with it long enough. Don't get derailed by the petty things in your life. If you are upset, go for a walk or do 15 minutes on your treadmill. Then eat a nice fresh apple and drink a bottle of water.
Inspiration of the Day

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. – Auguste Rodin, 1840-1917, French Sculptor

Shopping Tip

Fred Meyer has the following items on sale through next Saturday; Del Monte canned vegetables, 2 for $1, green cabbage $.19 a pound, organic peeled mini carrots for $1 a bag, Gatorade $1 each, frozen salad shrimp for $2.99 a pound and extra large eggs for $.99 a dozen.

Also, I don't know if you have ever tried the rotisserie chicken at Costco for $4.99 each but this is probably the best deal in town. Mrs B and I looked at fresh fryers last week at Safeway. It is actually cheaper to buy chicken already cooked from Costco. We make chicken wraps, chicken salad and have small portions for individual meals. We can usually get several meals out of one chicken. If you haven't tried it already, you should.

Recipe of the Day

Asian Style Sesame Dressing Recipe

Light and tasty dressing. I like to mix it with coleslaw mix, a can of pineapple chunks, some sesame seeds, green onions and boiled shrimp. It is also good on salad greens with some grilled chicken. The cooking time is the amount of time it should sit once mixed. Got the original idea for this from Lori A.

by Chip     5 min prep      Makes 1 cup
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 teaspoon dried ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 packets Splenda or other artificial sweetener

Mix all and let sit for 2 hours.

Bruce says that he doesn't think I can do this. You must know Bruce to understand that this is probably his way of motivating me. One thing I can promise you Travelers is that I am going to make that goal next Monday of 299 because I am taking this One Step at a Time, each and every day.

Happy Trails!