Here's to 2 Years!

For those of you who have been following my journey...it began two years ago today (1/24/09). It is amazing what I have accomplished, conquered and learned over the last two years. If you would have told me several years ago that I would lose 80 lbs and be an inspiration to others to do the same, I would have laughed and said surely not me. However, I could have not done it without my faith in the Lord and the love and support of the people around me. They all believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. The Lord gave me strength when I really wanted to give in to temptation.

Losing weight has been an overall positive experience in my life and it has helped me to find the person whom God always wanted me to be. I was reminded of this on Sunday when my pastor said that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It was that exact statement that I heard in health class shortly after I started classes at Trinity. It got me thinking...if my body is a temple and I am mistreating it...how am I suppose to do the work that God has called me to do?

I would love to say that this was an easy journey...but it wasn't. Yes, the first few months I dropped weight every week and to some it may have looked easy. But I worked hard and I had to discipline myself and my eating habits. I had to say no even when I really wanted to say yes. I still struggle with saying no and I know I always will.

After losing my job back in August it brought new challenges to my life. I gained 13 lbs but I refuse to allow myself to gain anymore. I did not keep any "fat" clothes and there is no way I am buying new ones. This new challenges comes from being home every day and not being limited to only a certain amount of food. It has been a learning curve for me but I am back on track and I am faithful that I will be at my goal of 155 lbs by May. I know I can do it because I have all of you behind me! :)

Again, thank you for your love and support!!! I could not have gone this far without you!

This was the last photo of "Fat Dawn". It was taken two weeks before I joined Weight Watchers.

My Gifts from God

My kids have been one of the biggest cheerleaders in my weight loss and I give my success to the Lord. Today I give glory to them and my heavenly father. God has given me the strength to overcome a lot of obstacles in my life. He has been the rock in my life over the last few months, that have been a little more challenging that usual. I really felt God's blessing through both of my children this weekend.

Saturday, Hunter and Maddie started their first bowling league. Hunter was placed on a team with not one but two people with developmental disabilities. One of the girls is 27 and her mom refers to her as a 27 year old trapped in a 10 year old's body. Since the Hunter and Maddie were small, I have always told them that God makes everyone different. I was proud of Hunter who did not even think twice that both of these people were much different than him. He even helped this young women with her ball when she was struggling to lift it out of the ball return. I felt like a very proud parent.


Today, I was equally blessed as we exited 55 on the way to my parent's house. It is not unusual to sight to see a homeless person out on the corner. Today, was no exception. There was a man standing there holding the sign that he was homeless and hungry. I usually give them a dollar or hand them some sort of food in my car but I had nothing. I know what most of you are thinking "He is just going to go out and buy drug or booze." or "He probably has money and he is just pretending to be homeless." However, it is not our place to judge. God knows our intention when giving generously to others and what the person does with the money is their issue with God. At the moment when I am feeling bad I have nothing to give this poor man, Maddie pipes up because she read his sign and says "Aw, that man is homeless. God bless Him!" I did not feel bad anymore because it became a moment when we could pray God's blessing over this man.

There are times when I wonder if my kids are absorbing anything from AWANA's and Sunday School. Or if my Christian values are rubbing off on them. Well...I think God answered that question. I have two pretty awesome kids...who sometimes have off days. :)

A Year in Review

Wow, 2010 where did you go? Occasionally, I like to interrupt my diet blog for just some general thoughts...this is one of them.

Looking at the year in review it started off not that bad but I guess everything was saved up for the end. The highlight of the year came in July, when my husband and I renewed our wedding vows. It was a great celebration with friends and family.

In August, I lost my job shortly after my three year anniversary. That was a challenge in itself. However, God has been good and always provides for us when we need it most. He knows our needs and always meets them for us. I am still actively seeking work and I have a few things in the works. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those things that falls on God's time and not my own.

The end of the year brought challenging issues. Again, God has been good to me. He has shown me who my real friends are and they have been a great sense of support for me over the last few weeks. These friends have lifted me up in prayer when I have felt like I could not go on any further. It really brought true meaning of Moses in the book of Exodus. If by chance any of you are reading this...I just want to say I love each and every one of you with all of my heart and you mean the world to me. Thank you so much for being there for me and just listening.

My wish for the new year is that relationships that need to be mended will find healing and the Lord. That I will continue to grow spiritually and remain focus in my studies. Lastly, that I will make WW lifetime sooner, than later. The word that I am going to focus on this year is humble. (I heard this on Klove this morning and though what an awesome idea.)

Happy New Year my friends!!!

Supersize Me Part 1 - Uric Acid

One of the interested facts I took away from the movie Supersize Me, was that after two weeks on the fast food diet the doctor's warned him about his uric acid levels. I decided to take a look at the long term effects.

First, high uric acid level (hyperuricemia) is an excessive concentration of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is waste produced during the breakdown of purine, a substance found in many foods. Uric acid normally is carried in your blood, passes through your kidneys and is eliminated in urine. A high uric acid level may not cause problems. However, some people develop gout, kidney stones or kidney failure due to high uric acid levels. A high uric acid level may appear prior to the development of high blood pressure, heart disease or chronic kidney disease. OUCH! However, it's often unclear whether a high uric acid level is a direct cause or merely an early warning sign of these conditions.

The number one cause of high uric acid levels....Obesity! Obesity increases the likelihood of developing gout. It is a known fact that food is fuel for our bodies but many of us (including myself) use food for pleasure and comfort. However, when we over indulge in high caloric items such as fast food and sweets, are bodies are unable to process it correctly. God did not develop our bodies to consume massive amounts of fast food and processed foods. We have become a society of quick and easy...therefore fast food sells. High uric acid levels is just one of the bodies warning signs that our bodies are crying out for help.

Halloween Candy Point Value

Tomorrow marks one of the largest candy days of the year. For all of us Weight Watchers people it is the kick off to the year end eating holidays. But how do we survive? Well it is by arming ourselves with point values. So here it is the point values to all of that candy that will be coming into your house tomorrow.

Candy Item/Size/Point Value
3 Musketeers, 2 fun size bars 3 1/2


1000 Grand, 2 mini bars 4 1/2

Abazaba, mini, Each 1

ABC Fruit Chomps, 7 pieces 3

ANDES Creme de Menth Thin Mint , 8 pieces 5 1/2

Animal Crackers, 11 crackers 3

Almond Joy, 2 snack size bars 4

America1s Original Bubble Gum, 4 pieces 1 1/2

Atomic Fireballs, Each 1

Baby Ruth, 2 fun size bars 4

Big Hunk, mini, Each 1

Bit-O-Honey, 6 pieces 4

Blow Pops, Each 1.5

Bubble Gum, super, 2 pieces 1

Butterfinger, 2 fun size bars 4

Butternut Mini Bar, .75 oz 2

Candy Corn, 22 pieces 3

Caramello, 2 snack size bars 4

Crispy Caramel Fudge Bar, snack size, Each bar 2

Caramel & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars, snack size, 2

Chocolate Toffee Crisp Bar, snack size, Each bar, 2

Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar, snack size, Each bar, 2

Double Bubble Gum, 2 pieces 1

Heath Bar, 5 snack size bars 6

Hershey's Bar (plain), 2 snack size bars 5

Hershey's (almonds), 2 snack size bars 5

Hershey Kisses, 8 pieces 5

Hershey Kisses or Hugs, 3 pieces 2

Hershey Miniatures, 5 pieces 5

Hershey Tastations (any flavor), 3 pieces 1

Hershey Sweet Escapes 2

Hi C Juice Fillers, bag (5 candies) 2

Hot Tamales, Each snack box 1

Jolly Rancher, 3 pieces 1

Jolly Rancher Mini Stix, Each 1

Kit Kat, 3 (2 pc) snack bars 6

Kit Kat, Each mini 2

Lemonheads, Each box 2

Life Saver Five Flavor Candy, 4 1.5

Life Saver Gummi Savers, 2 rolls 2.5

Life Saver Pops, Each 1

M & M (plain), Each fun size pack 2

M & M (peanut), Each fun size pack 2

M & M Crispy, Each pkg 5

Mars, 2 fun size bars 4

Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses, 6 pieces 3.5

Maynards Wine Gums, 1 roll (44 g), 3

Mike & Ikes, Each snack pkg 1

Milk Duds, 4 fun size boxes 4

Milky Way, 2 fun size bars 4

Milky Way Lite, minis, 5 pieces 3

Milky Way Lite, regular bar 3.5

Mounds, 2 snack size bars 4

Necco Wafers, Each roll 1

Nerds, Each box 1

Nestles PB Mallow, Each 3.5

Nestles Baby Ruth, Each 4.5

Nestle Crunch Fun Size, 4 bars 5

Now & Later, 3 mini bars 3

O'Henry, 2 fun size bars 5

Peter Pan Peanut Butter Cups, 4 pieces 6

Pumpkin Pop, Each sucker 1

Raisinettes, 3 snack size boxes 4

Red Hots, Each box 2

Reese's Crunchy Cookie Cups, 2 snacks 4

Reese's Miniature Peanut Butter Cups, 5 pieces 5

Reeses Peanut Butter Bites, 3 pkgs 5.5

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, 2 snack size 4

Reesesticks, 2 snack size 4

Skittles, small pack 3 pkgs 4

Skittles (regular), 2 packs 3

Smarties, 3 rolls 1

Smuckers Fruit Fillers, Each bag (5 candies) 2

Snackwells Nut Clusters, Each piece 1

Snickers, 2 fun size bars 4

Snickers, minis (4 pieces) or 2 fun size bars 4

Spree Candies, 8 pieces 1

Spree Twist, 2 rolls 1.5

Starburst, 3 fun size pkgs 4

Starburst Fruit Chews, 8 chews 3.5

Sugar Babies, 2 snack size pouches 4.5

Sugar Daddy Pops, 3 3.5

Sweethearts (Necco), Each (1 1/8 oz box) 2.5

Sweet Tarts, 2 rolls 1

Tootsie Hot Chocolate Pops, Each 1.5

Three Muskateers, 2 fun size 4

Tootsie Roll, 2 snack bars 2

Tootsie Roll Midgees, 6 pieces 3.5

Tootsie Roll Midgees - small, 11 pieces 2

Tootsie Roll Pop, Each pop 1

Triple Chocolate Wafer Bar, snack size, Each bar, 2

Twix, (mini size) Each 1

Twix, Each snack size bar 2

Twix, Regular Size, Each (2) pack 7

Twizzlers Pull-n-Peel Cherry Candy, 3 pieces 2.5

Twizzlers Strawbery Twists, 4 twists 2.5

Werther's Original, 3 pieces 1

Whoppers Malted Milk Balls, 2 snack size pouches 5

Wonka Nerds Gumballs, Each 1

Wonka Shock Tarts Gumball, Each 1

Wrigleys Chewing Gum, 5 pieces 1

York Peppermint Patties, 3 patties 3
 
Choose wisely and plan ahead! Pass out candy that is not a temptation to you. Place the bowl of candy out towards the end of the Trick or Treating. Hopefully, the last few kids will take it all. Donate your left over candy to a food pantry or local youth services. Plan for success!
 
Happy and Health Eating,
Dawn

Fall Favorites Part 2

I love pumpkin!!! It is one of my fall favorites. I was lucky enough to have a fellow Weight Watchers member share with me a pumpkin breakfast muffin recipe. I made a batch and the results are in...THEY ARE GREAT!!! The best part is you can grab them on the go. Even my picky eater son loves these muffins.

Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Breakfast Muffins
1 - 14 oz Can of pumpkin
1 - Box of Cake Mix (Carrot Cake or Spice Cake is recommended)
1/2 c of Water
1 c of Bran Flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the water and pumpkin into the box of cake mix. Once it blended add in the Bran Flakes. Place batter into 12 cupcake pans with cupcake liners. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until done. Serving Size: 1 Muffin @ 2 pts.

Please leave me a comment if you make these muffins. I would like to know what you think!

Happy and Healthy Eating,
Dawn

Fall Favorites

Fall is here! Here in Illinois we have been enjoying mildly warm temperatures but the cooler weather will be coming. Fall is a time for comfort foods such as hot soups and for me anything pumpkin. Soup is a really good to not only warm you up but fill you up. How many times do you enjoy a three to four course meal at home? I know, it does not happen at my house. However, when we go out and enjoy a cup of soup or a side salad we tend to eat less of our main course. So why not treat yourself to some hot soup when you come home from work! The soup will help fill you up so that you do not over eat when you finally sit down for dinner after a long day at work.

Today, I made a batch of zero point soup to have on hand. It is great to have when you are hungry but don't want to use a lot of points. I find cooler temperature make me want to eat more. Having a cup of Garden Vegetable soup not only helps me to get in my veggies for the day but also fills me up. I modified my soup by adding some leftover tofu and by using collar greens instead of cabbage. ***Please note that tofu does add points to the value.*** You can modify the recipe by adding any zero point veggies without modifying the point range.

Here is the recipe for the zero point version in case you need it:

Garden Vegetable Soup
2/3 c diced carrots
1/2 c diced onions
2 garlic cloves
3 c of fat-free broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)
1 1/2 c chopped green cabbage
1/2 c green beans
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp of dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c chopped zucchini

Spray a large sauce pan with nonstick cooking spray, heat. Saute the carrots, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered about 15 minutes or until beans are tender. Makes 4 Servings.

Tomorrow, look for the recipe for Pumpkin Breakfast muffins. My other fall favorite!!! :)

Happy and Healthy Eating,
Dawn