Scale Junkie Weight Loss Blog

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 22

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:23:00 +0000

My weekend in a word...exhausting! My husbands show in Orlando was a HUGE success, we had a great time and met some fabulous people.

How was your holiday weekend? Is everyone back on track? All of the walking and show prep, I ended up losing a few pounds this holiday weekend!

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 21

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Hi everyone! We're headed into a holiday weekend here in the United States, I think Canada had one on the 21st, not sure who else has holidays around this time of the year but here in the USA I know a lot of people go to picnics and BBQ parties. Memorial Day weekend is the start of summer and I know a lot of people get busy and lose sight of their blog and healthy lifestyle efforts during the summer. That doesn't have to happen. If you've been here a week or with me from the beginning you know that staying accountable makes a difference.

I have a very busy rest of the month. My husband is participating in his very first show in Orlando on the 26th so if you're in or around Orlando stop by the Central Florida Fairgrounds and the Makers Faire and see us! Its going to be a long all day event so to combat the temptations of fair/festival foods, we're packing a cooler with all of our meals and healthy snacks. I'm thinking sandwiches on whole grain and a bowl of fruit salad, almonds or other nuts and a few cans of low sodium V8. Any other suggestions for easy to pack, easy to eat foods?

Zucchini Latkes

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:46:00 +0000

I'm making these for dinner tonight to go along with grilled chicken. What I love about them is that the 1/3 cup of flour makes them taste carby satisfying without a lot of starchy carb. I originally posted these on my cooking page but I'm trying to slowly get those recipes transferred over here.

Zucchini Latkes

Zucchini Latkes
Makes approx: 9

4 medium zucchini
1 medium onion
1 medium carrot
1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley1/3 flour or matzo meal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
½ teaspoon of kosher salt or coarse salt
freshly ground black pepper
olive oil spray

Grate the zucchini (no need to peel), onion and carrot on a box grater or in food processor fitted with shredding disk.

Transfer to a mixing bowl, add parsley and mix vegetables together until equally distributed

Next is a very important step! Grab handfuls of the grated vegetables and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible, placing on a plate. Drain excess liquid from bowl and returned squeezed out veggies to bowl.

Mix in flour, baking powder, salt and pepper, toss together to coat. Stir in egg and mix until well blended.

Preheat oven to 450

In a nonstick skillet over medium high heat sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, spoon about 1/3 of a cup of the mixture into the skillet and press down with a spatula or wooden spoon to form a circle shape. I used a large non stick skillet and could make three at a time.

Allow to lightly brown and then flip over with spatula and allow other side to lightly brown.

Transfer to a non stick baking tray or baking tray that has been lightly coated with non stick spray.

Bake in oven for approximately 10 minutes, flip over and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown...mmm OH SO YUMMY!!

Makes approx 9

Calories 47.3
Total Fat 1.7 g
Saturated Fat 0.4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.8 g
Cholesterol 47.2 mg
Sodium 47.4 mg
Potassium 101.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 5.7 gDietary Fiber 0.7 g
Sugars 0.3 g
Protein 2.3 g

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 20

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:06:00 +0000

Mid May already! Can you believe it? Time is flying by. I'm happy to say that I've finally started working out! I've been trying to get in gear for months now but health issues have left me exhausted, I just told myself that they can't be dealt with right now so I need to take care of me as best as I can until I can deal with my other issues. So thats what I've been doing. Eating clean and moving my body! Finally! How are all of you doing? Big congrats to Towards Healthy Life for hitting the 25 pound lost mark! Great job! So what goals have all of you set for this week? More of the same for the monthly goals or ?? I know its a long shot but if any of you will be in Orlando on Memorial Day weekend my husband has a show at Central Florida Fairgrounds on May 26th, stop by and see us, we'd love to meet you :-)

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 19

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:48:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope all of you are off to a great start for May. I'm taking things slow and steady and trying to focus on the process more than the results right now. What are you May goals?

Goodbye Biggest Loser Mentality

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:46:00 +0000

The Biggest Loser just wrapped up another season last night, I know this because I saw a blurb on the headlines today. I didn't watch this season and I'm not going to watch again.

I watched every season of Biggest Loser, swore that this time would be different, I even auditioned for Biggest Loser with my good friend Ash Each season I'd identify with a cast member and when they'd do well I'd cheer them on and when I didn't do as well, a little part of me died inside. I know that some of you know exactly what I'm talking about. Now I'm not blaming Biggest Loser, my weight issues started long before they ever aired.

I know its a game, I know its entertainment, I know they've helped and inspired a lot of people over the years but what happens is that I end up comparing my rate of weight loss to the contestants and feel defeated because I can't keep up. Yes I know they have trainers, healthy food and medical supervision in a controlled environment but I thought I could at least have some of the success.

Diet diet diet, strict strict strict, exercise exercise exercise. Crash and binge. lather rinse repeat.
Watch Biggest Loser and see them lose 10 pounds a week diet diet diet, strict strict strict, exercise exercise exercise. Crash and binge. lather rinse repeat.
Try latest fad diet, have great success and they cave in and eat a bit of apple that is considered a "cheat" Crash and binge. lather rinse repeat.
Watch Biggest Loser and see them lose 10 pounds a week diet diet diet, strict strict strict, exercise exercise exercise. The season ends and they've lost three times more weight than I have. Crash and binge. lather rinse repeat.
Diet diet diet, strict strict strict, exercise exercise exercise. Crash and binge. lather rinse repeat.

I'm here to tell you that I'm done. I'm done with the horrible cycle of crash and burn. I'm DONE with neglecting my health for months at a time. I am DONE with fad diets, crash diets, I AM DONE!

Here is what I know:

I didn't gain all of this weight overnight, in a week, month or even a year so I can't expect to lose it that fast either

I didn't get unfit overnight, in a week, month or even a year so I can't expect to be fit that fast either.

I didn't develop bad eating habits in a week, month or even a year so I can't expect to change them overnight either

Now I can sit here and say I wish I would have realized this five years ago when I started this blog but the truth is I knew all of this five years ago, I just held out hope that the magic pill would come along. I'm here to tell you, there is no magic pill. There is no quick fix. I've watched friends who have have weight loss surgeries drop the first 100 fast and then struggle, I've seen some do great for a while but then regain. The fact is no matter how you lose weight, it takes daily conscious effort to keep it off.

Every time I start a new diet a little nagging voice of self doubt in the back of my head says "if you'd have stuck to the diet last year you'd be ____ pounds lighter by now" When I write a blog post about losing weight the little nagging voice in the back of my head says "you've had this blog for five years, if you'd have just lost 1/2 to 1 pound a day you'd have been to goal by now" Right here, right now I'm telling that part of my brain to SHUT UP!

I know that if I watch my portion sizes and move my body more I'll lose weight and get strong and fit. Thats it. No deadlines just the basics. I'm ready to make progress and I'm willing to let that progress happen at a healthy pace. So today I'm saying goodbye to my Biggest Loser mentality, hello to my new reality.

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 18

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Hi everyone! The first quarter of the year is DONE and we're starting a new month. Are you on track? Do you need to make adjustments? Do you need to press reset and start over? Whatever the case lets jump into May with defined goals and keep it going all summer long!

stop for a minute

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:44:00 +0000

We walk the dogs on the same route every morning. There is one section where the sweet smell of jasmine overwhelms the air, forces all other thoughts from your consciousness and commands your brain to literally stop and smell the flowers. I consider it my little morning reminder to savor every moment of life.

Have you stopped to savor life lately?

Sharing my jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:03:00 +0000

The good news is I've been busy. The bad news is, I haven't been blogging as much. Some of you have seen my facebook page for my jewelry and have liked the page and I thank you!

I've been working on two pieces for a show with the theme of castaway/castoff/outcast. My take on that went nautical and recycle! I used scraps of sterling silver left over from my other designs and melted, forged and whipped these two creations into shape. I don't know if they'll be accepted yet but this is what I have:

"washed ashore"

"lost at sea"

I've also been working on a few other pieces:

Making jewelry has truly been a blessing. I've found something that I really enjoy and it keeps my mind off of food while I create wearable art. Finding something that other people think I'm good at has been life changing, its made me believe in myself again. If you haven't found your passion, find it, its therapeutic and really makes my life whole again.

Anyhow, I was thinking of doing a giveaway of a pair of earrings, does this sound like something you'd be interested in?

Looking ahead to goal and tummy tuck is on my mind

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:55:00 +0000

Have you given much thought to a tummy tuck or other plastic surgery after weight loss? For me I have a lot of weight still to lose but from the weight I've already lost, I can tell that my tummy is going to be an issue. It makes me want to move north where I can hide under baggy clothes all year long. Oh but wait, you know me, I'd complain too much about the cold now wouldn't I? Tummy tuck price is one thing that has always made me think it was out of reach. But after doing more research, it may not be the case.

I read a lot of forums and have known of people who've gone to foreign countries to have plastic surgery but the cheapest tummy tuck isn't always the best option, there are a lot of factors to consider. I have a friend in Mexico who offered to let me stay with her while I recovery from dental surgery but I've also seen a lot of of those news report shows where people have gone overseas and had complications. I would never make such a decision without doing through research and I hope you wouldn't either. There was a program not too long ago about weight loss and plastic surgery and it really made me think. Is vanity worth it? I know of a woman who had a hernia and required surgery and they did a tummy tuck in the process. Another woman I knew on a forum had a tummy tuck because she was getting terrible skin rashes on her pannus...yeah another word I learned the meaning of: Pannus is a medical term for an abnormal layer of fibrovascular tissue and in my case the Pannus happens to be, you guessed it, right in my lower tummy.

I had talked to my doctor a while back and he was upfront about it, he said that based on my skin, surgery would be my only option to remove it completely but suggested we talk about it more when I got closer to goal weight and then he'd recommend someone for me to talk to...yet another step in the process. I guess around this time next year I'll be ready to talk to him but for now, its one of those topics in the back of my mind.

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 17

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:09:00 +0000

Another week, another chance to make a fresh start or to recommit if you haven't already. If you're staying strong and true to your plan, GREAT JOB!

How is everyone doing? I'm suffering from insomnia and I think its diet related. I'm cutting back on caffeine and absolutely NO coffee after noon.

Cauliflower with Streusel Topping

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:05:00 +0000

Cauliflower with Streusel Topping

This is based off of a dish I had while living in the UK. The original dish had a thick cheese sauce on the cauliflower and while it was quite delicious, it didn't fit with my dietary guidelines. This healthfied version does! Its a standard staple with our holiday dinners and at least once a month rotation on the menu. You can prepare it the day before, just allow additional baking time to warm through and don't put the steusel topping on until just before baking or you'll have a soggy mess. This is equally delicious with broccoli.

Enjoy!
Diana

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen cauliflower
2 Tablespoons Smart Balance (or butter/margarine)
1 medium onion finely chopped
3 TBLS dijon mustard
2 slices light wheat (I used Pepperidge farms soft wheat light)
1/2 cup of 1% milk
3 TBLS Parmesan cheese
Black pepper to taste

Don't get intimidated, it looks like a lot of steps but this dish is ready to hit the oven in under 12 minutes. Ready to cook? Lets get started.

Toast the bread on the lowest setting of the toaster to dry out, two rounds in the toaster might be necessary. Set aside to cool.

Put a 16 ounce large bag of frozen cauliflower in a microwave safe/oven safe bowl to cook according to package directions...the microwave to cook

Meanwhile put two tablespoons of smart balance or whatever butter you use into a large sautee pan.

Dice the onion and add it to the sautee pan

While the onion cooks and gets all golden brown. Put the two slices of bread in the food processor and make the bread crumbs

Toss in the parmesan cheese and a bit of black pepper and give it another whirl (pulse it for a few seconds)

Now back to our onions...starting to get golden brown...perfect!

Add in the two tablespoons of dijon mustard and a bit more fresh black pepper, no need to use salt, the mustard has enough salt in it.

Add the milk and give it a good stir and then let it simmer until it thickens up, about 3 to 5 minutes

Next drain the excess water from cooked cauli and mix in the sauce and stir it around gently to coat

Pour it back into the microwave safe/oven safe bowl you cooked it in, this one is two quarts because we like a lot of crunchy streusel topping, if you use a smaller bowl, you might not need as much, you don't want too thick of a layer.

Top with the bread crumb and cheese mixture

Put it under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes or until it looks like this

If your sauce didn't thicken up enough or if you're using the oven anyhow, you can also bake this at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes, just cook the cauliflower for 1 minute less than the microwave directions call for.

This HUGE serving dish serves 4 servings at 116 calories each or serves 6 at 77 calories each. Ken (aka Mr Meat and Potatoes Lover) loved this so much he said I could have skipped the meat and potatoes (thud) and just served this! An ultimate compliment from Mr Meat and Potatoes Lover indeed.

Cauliflower with Streusel Topping!

Nutritional information:
Serves 4
Calories: 116
Fat 4.5
Cholesterol: 4.5mg
Sodium: 373mg
Potassium: 250mg
Carbs 12.6g
Fiber: 4g
Sugars: 3.3g
Protein: 6g

Serves 6
77 calories
Fat: 3g
Cholesterol : 3mg
Sodium: 249mg
Potassium: 167mg
Carbs: 8g
Fiber 2.8g
Sugars 2.2g
Protein 4g

Text directions

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen cauliflower
2 Tablespoons Smart Balance (or butter/margarine)
1 medium onion finely chopped
3 TBLS Dijon mustard
2 slices light wheat (I used Pepperidge farms soft wheat light)
1/2 cup of 1% milk
3 TBLS Parmesan cheese
Black pepper to taste

Toast the bread on the lowest toaster setting, let cool

Cook cauli according to microwave directions on bag

Sautee onion in smart balance until lightly brown and soft, stir in dijon and milk, let simmer until thickened

Pulse bread in food processor until its bread crumbs, pulse in parm cheese and black pepper to taste.

Drain excess water from Cauliflower, add to Dijon and mustard sauce mixture.

Place in oven proof bowl.Sprinkle top with bread crumb/cheese mixture and broil for 2 to 4 minutes until golden brown

Alternately you can cook cauli for a minute less in microwave and bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

Healthy You Challenge 2012 Week 16

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:35:00 +0000

Hi everyone, I hope you're having a great week. Things here have been up and down but I feel like I'm staying on track for the most part. I have a mini goal now so thats really helping. My husband makes sculptures from recycled electronics and other recycled parts and was invited to participate in a show in Orlando Memorial Day weekend! Orlando is about a 2 hour drive but I was thinking if funds permit we may make a weekend of it since we have a dog sitter lined up. My goal is to drop a few pounds and start walking more and strength training (finally) so I have the stamina for a few hours of set up on the front and back end of a nine hour show AND have enough energy for a day of fun the next day.

Do you find mini goals work for you? I find they work better for me than long term goals because of the urgency so I've set up a few back to back short term goals to take me through the end of the year and we'll see how that works.

Healthy You Challenge Week 15, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:25:00 +0000

Wow, I had a rough week. Dehydration, too much sodium, the scale jumped. I'm back to drinking lots of water, eating clean and walking. What about you? How was your week? Goals for the week?

Healthy You Challenge Week 14, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:13:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a good week so far. The end of the month is always a busy time for me but I made it through and down 5 pounds so I'm happy about that. So far I'm just walking and trying to stay hydrated but at least I'm making a conscious effort every single day instead of just mindless eating so I feel pretty good about that. I'm ready for April to be a great month! April goals: hydration, build up my walking to do my virtual 5k in May. What are your April goals? 2nd quarter of the year goals? I want to hear all about them!

Healthy You Challenge Week 13, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Are you ready for another fabulous week? I've been feeling tired and run down and I'm trying to get my health back. I had a bit of a slip eating wise and by bit of a slip I mean over a week of mindless eating. I'm back on track but paying for it with exhaustion. This week I'm back to healthy eating, STAYING HYDRATED and exercise. How do you get back on track when you slip up? How long does it usually take?

Healthy You Challenge Week 12, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:08:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Time for another week and another check in. I'm not feeling 100% today, I think its the stomach flu or maybe something I ate so I only walked a 1/2 mile walk but I didn't eat much so thats a bonus right? lol The good news is I really ramped up my exercise and I was feeling really strong and energetic until the past few days.

My goals for this week are light, feel better, stay hydrated and get everything done that I need to get done and work back up to walking more! What about you? Goals for the coming week? Accomplishments from the past week?

Healthy You Challenge Week 11, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:41:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a great week.Did you realize that Wednesday is Pi day 3.14? Of course I need to make some sort of PIE for PI day but I didn't want anything heavy so I'm thinking about a crustless quiche made in a pie plate. I posted a recipe a while back under 10 Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas and number 10 was my recipe for a Crustless Cheesy Broccoli Quiche that I make in a pie pan. Works for me! What about you? Do you have a healthy pie recipe for Pi day?Sweet or savory, just be kind to the calorie count!

Goals for the week? Water water water for me!

One last thing is a favor to ask: Have you signed up yet for AppSmitten? Its a great way to learn about new apps, things you didn't even know were out there! http://www.appsmitten.com/referral/?referral_code=16684&referral_source=blogher

This is an affiliate program I'm involved with through BlogHer.com , they're paying me for everyone who signs up under my code. I normally don't do things like this but at $1 for everyone who signs up and its FREE to sign up. No you don't have to sign up but money I make from this goes towards Sadie's vet bills. As you know, diabetes is an expensive disease and my sweet girl will need care for the rest of her life. She's so worth it! <3

Healthy You Challenge Week 10, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:19:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a good bonus day last week! Did you do anything special? I want to hear all about it!

I posted on Wednesday about deciding I wanted a specific goal and decided to do a virtual 5k in May meaning I train for a 5k and then pick a day in May and do my official 5k and invite all of you to join in if you wish. I'm still working out the details but I did work on my schedule for the month and it has me gradually increasing my walking times and working on some strength training. Feels good so far and please join in if you wish!

Happy Bonus Day - Leap into a Challenge to Race into Summer (a virtual 5k)

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Today is February 29th...leap day, a bonus day that only comes around every four years. I like to think of it as a day for new beginnings. If you need a good reason to recommit to your health and wellness plan, make today a ceremonial day of letting go of the old and welcoming the new! Need some ideas, check out my post from 2008, Bonus Day - Leap into Something Good

What am I leaping into this bonus day? Well I had planned a few things and today is shaping up to be very busy. This morning we started the day with a long walk through a local park, it was a bit foggy/misty but so worth it. The dogs got to go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico which always makes them happy and they needed a bath (which Ken is doing now while I type, such a good dog parent isn't he!) It felt good to be active and get the blood pumping. We went to a park that I've blogged about before, I didn't take photos today because I forgot the camera but you can see pictures of the tower we climbed and other views in my post from 2008 - Take a Walk With Me

This afternoon I have metalsmithing class and I'm looking forward to learning something new and creating something special in my skill building efforts.

As for my bonus day plans getting my blood pumping was in the plan but yesterday a comment in the HYC post from Up In the Cosmos - The Voices Within Unleashed about doing a virtual 5k reminded me of the virtual 5k in May I did in 2008 and in general how good I felt in 2008. My eating was on track, my exercise was on track and I decided that I want to do a virtual 5k in May again called Race Into Summer and invite all of you to join me...or if you're beyond the 5k level do a 10k or half marathon, train for something, anything, give yourself a goal. Last time I made up a badge for my blog and I'll make another one up this weekend to share with everyone. I'm counting my hike this morning as "training" but I'm going to make up a schedule for March and April and make an appointment with myself to exercise!

We have all of March and all of April to kick ourselves into high gear and get busy walking, jogging or running our way to better health and Race Into Summer! So who is with me?

Healthy You Challenge Week 9, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:23:00 +0000

Hi everyone, hope your February is winding down nicely and you've reached your February goals. Don't forget that tomorrow is February 29th, the day we get every four years, our BONUS day, what will you do? I have a busy day planned with family time in the morning and a metalsmithing class in the afternoon, not sure what I'm doing in the evening yet but maybe something simple like watching the sunset or doing some stargazing. What about you?

Healthy You Challenge Week 8, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:05:00 +0000

Hi everyone, this is the last full week in February for us, have you given any thought as to what you'll do for your bonus day next week? As it turns out, I'll be back in metalsmithing classes because I got a scholarship for the next six week session! I've entered a piece into the juried student and member show, you can see pictures of the piece in my post below (or click here)I've been saying busy making jewelry, I opened and Etsy shop and created a Facebook page for my jewelry and you know what I've come to realize? I can't stuff my face when I'm making jewelry, in fact, I don't even think about food while I'm making jewelry so you've guessed it, I'm going to spend more time making jewelry! Even if no one ever buys a piece of it, the joy and satisfaction I get from creating something with my hands is priceless. Do you have a hobby or something that keeps you so busy you forget about food? Lets hear all about it along with goals for the rest of the month.

Can we add a few more hours to the day?

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:42:00 +0000

I haven't written a normal blog post in a while. Lately I seem to post the HYC and dive head first back into life and come up for air again a week later...post and run. So here is what I've been doing...

I wrote about finding my passion a little over a year ago and thats what I've been doing a lot of lately. I'm back to taking classes and creating new pieces. After much encouragement from my family and friends, I started a Facebook page to feature my designs called Diana Swallow Designs and I've also opened an Etsy store and have listed a few things and I plan on listing more over the coming days and weeks. I'm busy making new things daily in between doing my normal job, spending time with Ken and the puppers, cooking, etc. I tend to lose track of time when I sit down at my work bench and start creating. Hours go by and it feels like minutes. Its a good feeling but its an overwhelming feeling too. I'm left feeling like I need more time in a day.

What I'm not doing enough of...menu planning and working out. So as soon as I finish this post I'm going to go old school and get out an appointment book and start scheduling things in my life that are important, like making time to work out and plan healthy meals. I bought a shatter proof bottle to keep on my workbench so I can stay hydrated. The floor is concrete and one broken glass leads to 20 minutes of clean up and subsequently 20 minutes of digging a piece of glass out of my big toe three days later because I didn't find it all.

I've decided that when it comes to food and working out, I'm done taking advice from experts, I'm done following this plan or that plan. I'm just going to do what I know works for me, same goes with working out. I know what my capabilities are and I know my limitations. Its time to work on getting stronger and finally dropping the weight. I know what to do, I really do, I know how to do this, I know why I don't. Its just a matter of taking action.

I've entered a piece into the student member show that starts on Friday so if you're in the Tampa Bay area between February 24th and April 13 and you're bored because the beaches aren't white enough the sun isn't shiny enough or maybe you're tired of theme parks, stop by and see my piece on display at Dunedin Fine Art Center. Or you could just "like" my Facebook page if you're not going to be in town and that way you can keep up with all of my designs :-)

So no I haven't fallen into a void, no the HYC posts aren't auto posting via some bot, its really me. I'm still really here and I'm still fighting to regain my health each and every day, I'm just not talking about it as much. But maybe that needs to change too.

I saw a quote the other day and its really fitting.

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”

For too long my commitment has been lacking but my interest has been strong, time to reverse those two and get down to business!

In the mean time, any tips you might have on Etsy, jewelry design or whatever, I welcome your input, either leave a comment or email me :)

Healthy You Challenge Week 7, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:09:00 +0000

Happy Valentines Day! I hope you're having a great day. I'm off to a late start because I had a late night out with my sweetie last night and didn't get a chance to post...sorry everyone. Onward to this weeks goals...more of the same for me for February, getting in enough water and exercise! What about you? Anything special planned for Valentines Day?

Healthy You Challenge Week 6, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Scale Junkie) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:04:00 +0000

Hope everyone is off to a great start for the month of February! As you may have realized by now, its a leap year, that means we get a bonus day. How do you plan on spending your February 29th? I'm planning an active day of hiking or a morning beach trip with my husband and dogs depending on the weather. What about you? Its not often we get an extra day in the year, why not make it fun? Back in 2008 on the last leap year I posted about a bonus day, Its not too early to start thinking about it. I wanted to post about it earlier this year so people could have time to plan. I actually do some of the routines I outlined in that post when I feel I need to let go of something negative. It works!

Goals for this week for me: keep the eating clean and get in more exercise!! What about you?