14 pounds down!

Angela:

For me, it has been several weeks of busting down bad habits. Joleene's conference call workshop on Emotional Eating had an incredible impact on my journey. This past weekend, I literally had to "talk myself down" from an old favorite go-to fast food dinner meal on night's when it was just me at home and I didn't cook the meal. It literally took 2 hours of talking myself down, and finally there it was: the realization that I didn't need a greasy, highly caloric and fat gram-laden meal that would be of no benefit to my body's nutrition OR day's outlook. 

I have met a milestone goal I set for myself at the beginning of BetterU on September 30. This was the main goal I discussed with Regina in her office, that I wanted to take off some weight during the course of BetterU, but not as what I call "gimmicky, fast fix" temporary weight loss on the scales that comes back quickly due to the methods used (and I have tried an abundance in the past). I wanted the lifestyle change that would result in pounds gradually coming off. When this opportunity began, I literally had stopped weighing myself on the scales periodically and had a brand new set of scales sent to me by a company who is a fan of my blog for a "New Year, New You" gift still boxed up and in my closet, since January...I have previously blogged that I was to a point that I didn't want to even look at the reading on the scales when I went to the doctor's office for an appointment. The day I had my initial appointment with Regina, before I headed out the door, I literally had to get my new set of scales out of the closet and out of the box to weigh myself for starting weight, then had weigh in at the clinic which was the very same reading. I also determined to break a habit I had with owning a set of scales: weighing every single day. I set the day I had the appointment with Regina as my weekly weigh in day. Today was my weekly weigh in day. Up to this point, I chose not to share my weight progress. Last week when I did weigh in, I determined I would share this week for the first time:

Since BetterU began on September 30, I have lost 14 pounds. The food blogger in me compares this to nearly 3 sacks of 5 pound flour. I feel beyond fantastic!

I shared this milestone this morning at the Y when I had my bi-weekly meeting with Michelle and the Y's CEO who took part in the press conference in September said he had to come see me while I was there to congratulate me. I told him I use the quote he said at the press conference for motivation, "You will find this will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile rarely does come easy." Not for one minute have I thought, or felt, that it was. I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity through the North Country chapter of the American Heart Association and honored to be on this journey alongside each of the ladies in BetterU.

A wonderful opportunity

JoEllen:

What you allow, is what will continue. It makes perfect sense, but easier said then done. This is such a wonderful opportunity to continue to allow all the new information to infiltrate our brain. We have 3 months to learn, incorporate, commit and make a real difference in the outcome of our own  life. Our mothers did not have this knowledge. We have to make changes in their honor. We have to embrace this chance that we have been given in good faith. 1 in 3 women dies from heart disease. That's translates to 4 from our group! Come on girls let's make that a big zero!

Meeting goals and slipping back into that old top

Angela:

October was a month of meeting goals and welcoming huge milestones during this Challenge. I love my time spent at the Y and my bi-weekly progress meetings with Michelle have given me countless inspiration. 

This was mine and my husband's standard vacation month due to his hectic summer work schedule at the hospital, so I knew the trip to Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore with the tantalizing seafood and never-ending sweet treats. I met the goal of controlling my eating and limiting sweets plus working in a daily beach walk. Then came my first time since starting this project for a weekend trip to my in-laws in Binghamton down I-81, known for big family meals. Same thing, controlled my eating and the fitness trek walks in state park I had come to dread started getting easier and not dreaded as the weeks in October passed. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Nicole's first nutrition class and look forward to the next I'm able to attend. I met my Halloween goal of not going crazy with eating Halloween candy and overeating my meals, snacking all evening. 

The 18th was my late Mom's birthday and my first true "emotional eating" test. As Joleene discussed this habit in the first conference call discussion, I began to think on her words about this subject, and for the first time was inspired to truly explore this top obstacle in my life. My Mom's birthday came and I'm a cake girl, I believe that won't come as a surprise to anyone who has viewed most of my down-home recipes on my blog. I kept saying to myself that although my husband was out-of-town for work that day, I would still celebrate with a cupcake from April's Cupcake Shop (next door to the Y, where they seriously know me by name...). After I came home from my progress meeting at the Y with Michelle that day, I began to look at outfit possibilities for the day. In my closet, I ventured past the leopard print camisole that fit me when I moved here in June 2011, but would not even go past my head when I began this Challenge on September 30. I thought to myself, "Not yet, don't try it." then I thought, "Do it. See what happens." I put the camisole over my head and then watched as it kept going over my chest, down to my waist and fit me perfectly. I looked up and said, "Happy Birthday Mom", then I nixed the cupcake idea and brought home a one portion fresh fruit cup medley for birthday dessert. That was my October during the BetterU Challenge.

Ending Week 4

Patty Howell:

It is end of the 4th week. I'm a little disappointed I only lost 3ibs but my jeans are loose and I seem to be trimmer. Sunday I decided to look over sodium content in my cupboard and get rid of anything that was high in sodium and I did. Every month at church the first Sunday we bring food in for the mission and all my cans went. It is a great idea to clean your cupboard of high sodium and high fat stuff. Now  I have room for my dry roasted edamame and quinoa nuts and dry fruit and heart healthy food. Have a good, week hope to see some of you Wednesday night.

A great week

Deb Biondolillo:

A great week!!!! A trip to a local grocery store and a great lesson on labels, what to avoid and what to include for our new healthy life styles. I have increased the number of laps in the pool as well as the amount of time I am able to swim. I have added the spin bike- although I am still wondering who can fit on that small seat. Our group has been able to spend some time together- even if it was at the grocery store. 

Learning to cook in healthy ways

Patty:

Good morning girls. Week 4 started out great: 2 hours of swimming and Hannaford shopping with Nicole Garnsey. She shared so much with us, she's a super dietitian. Thanks so much. 

This morning I tried making quinoa with almond milk. It was my first time using almond milk. I used Dr. Joe's recipe and it was delicious. I hope it will not start something up with my diverticulosis. The complete protein in quinoa can be a meal by itself. Wish me luck.

 I love to cook. I have been cooking for 50 years and have enjoyed Dr. Joe's and Healthy Kitchens Healthy Lives recipes and changing my recipes to heart healthy. You're never too old to learn something new. 

I absolute love the nutrition meeting. I have learned so much. You're never too old to learn. I think it is a big part of the program.

Have a good week. I will be sending you stress for women that came to me today.