NBCD Weight Loss Journal Update - June 11th - June 18th

Welcome Back Everyone!

Last week was an active week and it looks like it will turn out to be an active summer. I could whine and pout about how I would like to rest because the kids are out of school and Dr. B and I do not have to rise and shine so early in the morning, but once again that dog gone positive attitude streak must prevail and take the view that the children's summer activities contributes to our active and healthy lifestyle. I have been swimming the past couple of Sundays with my family and it is an extra workout. I complete my regular workout early Sunday morning and we all got out of the house for an early swim and water fun at the campus recreation center. Later that week, I played a game of racket ball with Dr. B -- and folks I am getting better at the game and stretching a few muscles at the same time. I played it safe and was cautious about injuring myself by not being so overly competitive by not doing some kind of amazing dive or triple jump to get that blue bouncy ball. I decided my knees and ankles were more important than bragging rights. I always hydrate more often now with water or sports drinks such as G2 Gatorade or of course the Gatorade Tiger Thirst Quencher.

I have been consistent with the light continental breakfast and since the weather has been pretty warm, I have grilled on the George Foreman electric grill a lot more. I am not a sales pitch person for Tiger Woods or George Foreman, but I use their products regularly along with many others. So far, I have continued to grill yellow squash, zucchini and onions with Mrs. Dash Grill Mate Blends and a brush of olive oil.

A note on the healthier cake versions: I did make a strawberry Bundt cake. It was not from scratch just yet but instead of traditional vanilla icing. I used the reduced sugar vanilla icing and added orange food coloring to give the cake a festive look and added red and orange sprinkles for the kids. The cake was pretty decent. I will have to experiment next time from scratch with ingredients that include lactose free milk, my healthier eggs and other substitute replacements to lower the calorie count and increase the health value. I had only one slice while the kids ate the rest. I will keep you posted on the cake revisions.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week: If you can't beat them -- join them.

My kids are starting athletic activities earlier this summer than last year and normally I complain aobut the less turnaround time I have to rejuvenate so I decided to view it positively and become more active and become their exercise partner. Why not? What do I have to lose? Answer: I have everything to gain!

See you next week! Stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Mrs. B.

Week 3: April 13th - 19th

Welcome Back Everyone!

May is almost here and I am looking forward to warmer breezy weather and the beach season. So you know I have to be diligent about my exercise regimen. I found this week, I could have done a better job of controlling snacks. I found that when my days ran late, my dinner time got later and that is not something I want to continue. I have been curbing my last meal for the day back to no more than 8:30pm so I can be able to digest my food intake but to be careful of what I am consuming. I have opted for light fruit cups in a pinch when it is closer to the evening after dinner and crystal light beverages. I am continuing to take my multivitamin and Appearex Biotin supplement for nails and hair and I do feel an energy surge although I could use more energy so I have a cup of Orange flavor green tea.

I added toning exercises this week such as yoga and belly dancing. The belly dancing is fairly new to me and I really enjoyed it! I think I am going to look into getting a belly dancing costume. Now before you all say she has gone too far, I still have my inner dancer inside from my dance years and still have a few costumes which I passed along to my daughter. By the way, Fit TV has a new program on belly dancing called Shimmy. So last week, I worked out on the treadmill, did a bounce ball workout, yoga and belly dancing. Now it seems that I jump around but this is for sure, I make sure that I keep my heart rate up at least 30 minutes per workout for my cardio and make sure I warm up and take care to do stretches after my toning segments.

My food selection has been on target. I have made cold low carb pastas and arugula salad for the family to snack on. As much as I love pasta, it is hard to find a product that taste good. I find that Dream Fields Pasta has a texture that is close to the original flavor and taste of pasta.

To start the week off, I am cooking a famly meal Zatarain's New Orleans Style Reduced Sodium Red Beans and Rice. The company just released low sodium versions. I am adding light suasages and more celery with cubed apples for a sweeter flavor for the kids. I am making apple cinnamon bread. In my apple cinnamon, bread that I use low fat lactorse free milk and egglands best healthier eagg or an egg substitute. Yesterday, we had skinless chicken cooked in fat free gravy and green beans with rice. For flavor, I added sauteed onions and Mrs. Dash onion and herb seasoning.

Black Pearl Reward of the Week:

I decided not to have a pity part about how I could do better and chose to have more bottles of water and crystal light beverage over that Oh, so good cold grape juice or cocoa cola. I still enjoy it once a week and do not believe in total deprivation.

See you next week and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy! Mrs. B