Update

I realized that I hadn't posted anything in a while, so I figured it was time for an update. The big news around our household right now is that Drew is finally graduating!!! The school still tried to keep him there a little longer. His advisor first told him everything looked good, and then said that he actually needed two more credits because the checklist that he had been going by had a misprint. So he had to appeal so that some of his co-op semesters would count, and thankfully the higher-ups accepted that. I think they just wanted to get more money out of him since every appeal costs like $40 or something. But that is over, all he has to do is buy his cap and gown and walk across a stage on May 10th and he'll officially be done! He's been thinking about taking the Professional Engineering exam, so please pray that God will give him direction on that.

We are still eating well and getting healthier. I have finally convinced Drew that his pants are too big so he bought a smaller size last week and they look great. Now if only I can get him to buy a smaller belt instead of putting more holes in the one he has! I haven't lost that much more, but I'm starting to be able to tell a difference in my clothing. I'm wearing a pair of pants today that I thought were going to be too small! The best thing about this though is that I'm changing my attitude about food. If we go out to dinner, no matter how good I think something might be, I think about how bad it is for me. Plus, that gives me the challenge of trying to make a healthy version at home. I've come up with some pretty tasty recipes! I'm trying to write them down so that I can share them, but it's kind of difficult because I rarely measure any of my spices or other flavorings. But, I will share once I get them all figured out.

Staying on Track

Staying on track...something that can be very difficult when you're not seeing results. For the past month my weight loss has seemed to stall out. I've pretty much been hovering around the same number. Drew and I get on the scale every Tuesday morning and for the past month I've wanted to cry just about every time. While he has lost big numbers every week, I've done nothing. I take that back, I did gain a pound one week! Even if his weight loss does slow down, he's almost at his goal weight. Don't get me wrong, I'm so proud of him and I'm excited every time the scale goes down, I just wish it would do the same for me. I realize that I'm not going to loose as quickly as he does, but half would be nice! This is about the time that I would normally quit, actually that was probably a couple of weeks ago. That is why this time I am really trying to look at this differently. This is not a diet that I can just quit, this is a plan for being healthy for the rest of my life. I try to remind myself of this every time I get on the scale. Maybe it's good for me to loose so slowly, if I lost the weight more quickly it might be easier for me to go back to my old habits. This way, by the time I do get to my goal, I'll be pretty used to my new and improved eating and excersising habits. Well, I'm happy to say, this week I'm finaly seeing results! I didn't think I would be that excited only being down two pounds in a month, but I'm really happy that I didn't give up this time! Plus, when I entered my new weight on Weight Watchers online, I got my first 5 lb. star on my progress chart and the graph finally started sloping down!

Great snack finds

Did you know that February was national snack month? Well, I don't know about you, but I love to snack. That is usually what gets me in the most trouble as far as my diet is concerned. Because of my love for snacking, and food in general for that matter, I've been searching for some healthier but still tastey snacks. I've tried out a few from the Hungry Girl website, of course I've tried almost all of the 100 calorie packs (there are so many out there now), plus I've found a few of my own which I am excited to share! There are so many healthy snacking options out there right now, but you really have to be careful since some aren't as good as they seem (I've become quite the nutritional label reader these days). Anyway, on our latest trip to Costco we found these Brothers All Natural apple and pear crisps. A whole bag has only 40 calories 0 fat and 2g of fiber! And best of all, they're delicious! I love the apple crisps! The also have other fruits, like strawberry, banana and peach, but these were the only ones we found at Costco.

My next very exciting find were these Mrs. Freshley's Snack Away treats. The ones below taste just like Little Debbie oatmeal pies, plus they have some that taste just like nutty bars! Those are the only ones I've tried so far, but they were delish! Let me know if any of you have any other exciting snack finds!

Valentines Day

Drew and I had a wonderful Valentine's Day. This was the first year that we were actually able to be together on the actual day of (he had class last year), even though we didn't really do anything. I made meatloaf and macaroni and cheese, and yes, it was healthy. After I make the mac and cheese again and make sure it's perfected, I'll post the recipe. It was delicious! On Saturday we went to the Melting Pot to celebrate, and I ate everything they served and didn't feel bad about it (I lost those extra two pounds I was waiting on). It was soooooo good!




Yum-O!



The orchid Drew gave me, so pretty!

Great website

For any of you who may be trying to eat well like me, I've run across a really cute and helpful website. It's www.hungry-girl.com and it's full of great food advice, recipes, restaurant reviews and reviews on new products. I've actually tried a few of the recipes and the new products she recommends. We made "fried" zuccini and chicken nuggets both using ground up All Bran cereal instead of bread crumbs (she recommends Fiber One, but All Bran was cheeper) and of course baked instead of fried. They were both delicious, and very healthy (Drew and I actually liked them better than when we made them with real breadcrumbs)! Also, for all of you peanut butter lovers, we tried Better N' Peanut Butter (you can get it at Whole Foods or Trader Joes). It's amazing! If you're like my husband and like to eat spoonfulls strait from the jar it may not be the best, but if you mix it with jelly or put it in recipes, you can hardly tell the difference. I personally like it by itself! We'll be trying some noodles she suggests later on this week, I'll let you know how they turn out! If anyone tries the butternut squash fries, please let me know how they turn out. Mine were all soggy.

Goals

Well, Drew and I have decided to finally get serious about loosing weight and getting in shape! Drew has finaly brought his weights over to our house, and we just bought an elliptical machine. I can't wait for it to arrive, because unlike most cardio machines I actually enjoy using the elliptical! I'm trying not to set unrealistic goals for myself in the hopes that I will actually follow through and not get discouraged. I'm not really dieting, just trying to eat healthier, so I will let myself splurge every now and then. I actually decided that after every five pounds I would let myself have a celebratory splurge, while still eating well and exercising the rest of the day. We are going to The Melting Pot on Valentines Day, so hopefully I can get these next two pounds off before then! My goals are not just about loosing weight, but about being healthy. I realize that I am not rediculously overweight, but I can see how that could happen if I don't change the way I eat. Usually what happens is that I will go on a diet until I've lost a certain amount of weight, or until it becomes difficult for me (like around Christmas time). Instead of allowing myself to have that one piece of cake and then continuing to eat well, I'll have the piece of cake and figure my diet is ruined so I might as well have another. Or, I'll deprive myself of something (like bread) and then when I let myself have it again, I can't get enough of it. So, from now on, if I really want to eat something, and I can't find a healthier alternative that will do, I'm going to eat it, I just won't go crazy and I'll continue eating healthy after that! Why am I telling you all of this you ask? Well, I figure if I track my progress for all to see, it should help me stay on track a little better! So, if anyone else is also working on this, feel free to share tips, recipes and whatever else is helping you out and I will do the same.

Long Awaited Update

It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything, so I figured I'd better give an update. December was a pretty busy month, which I'm sure was true for everyone. My birthday was at the beginning of the month so we went out with friends to Tokyo, my favorite Japanese Steakhouse (it was delicious). The next night Drew's family took me out to Scalini's (also delicious) and Carol bought me an amazing red velvet cake! when we got home that evening Drew had a brochure for a bed and breakfast and a detailed itinerary that he had planned waiting for me. He took me up to a B&B in Hiawassee and we went to a couple of wineries, and just relaxed and enjoyed each other. The wine tastings were pretty good too!

Frogtowne Winery in Dahlonega

This place had some really great wines, and the inside of this building was gorgeous!View from our room.Inside the lodge at Wolf Mountain Winery.The cool truck at Wolf Mountain.

Well, it's getting pretty late, and Drew and I have to get up very early and drive to Jacksonville tomorrow so I think I'll end this update here. More to come!