The Day After...

It's Friday, there's left-over turkey & dressing and cranberry sauce in the fridge. Along with a few bites of broccoli casserole and green beans. There are even a few slices of pumpkin pie left. I didn't gorge on the food this year like I have in the past so I don't feel bad today! Go figure.

And...the day was very relaxing, calm, and without any upsetting events. Yes, Carla, it was a little sad. To think that some folks let money rule them is very sad to me. But whatever, on to brighter days!!

I am so excited! I got my "Eat-Clean Diet" book today! Just in time, too. I need to get all this sugar out of my system. Do you remember the pie I told you about last week? Well, it multiplied and now I've had more pecan pie than most of you, I'm sure. I'm feeling a little sluggish and pretty sure that's from the sugar.

I hope everybody that celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday had a day they were thankful for. In my 50+ years I have had many, many reasons to be thankful and I know there are more to come.

Ah, the '70's

This is me at age 21 (I think). I thought I was fat then! That dress belonged to my then roommate, Betsy. She had less in the chest area than I did so the dress fit her differently. I thought, since it didn't fit me "right" that I must be fat.

I don't remember ever really feeling like I was thin. Or that my size or shape was acceptable. Well, maybe when my dad died. I had lost down to a size 8 (my then husband was a real food natzi). But since there was a lot of sadness going on, I only know from what other people told me that I looked really good. Not the kind of thing you focus on at a funeral. That was many years ago. I grieve for both my dad and my size 8 little black dress. Hope that doesn't sound morbid!

Anyway, I found this picture when I was cleaning out some drawers the other day. I know I can never look quite like that again, but look at my face in that picture; I think I knew I looked good. Back then I was always trying to fit into someone else's dress. Now I just want to fit into my own dress. I think I'll know when I hit a size that I can live with, too. It may not be a size 8, but it will be the right size for me.

Food Find Review

I thought it might be fun to hunt down new snacks or foods and give you my take on them. Once a week I'll try to share a new find. Here's what I found yesterday...

I am trying to stay clear of crackers and bread. Haven't gotten my Eat Clean Diet book yet but still trying to make "clean" choices. However, I really am a sucker for a cracker. At Kroger yesterday, I found (on sale, of course!) these Kavli Crispy Thin, all natural whole grain crispbread. They are really good and light with a nutty taste. They have a lot of flavor for such a thin cracker, and I mean thin!

Here's the nutrition info:

Kavli Crispy Thin, all natural whole grain crispbread
A Fat Free, Cholesterol Free Food, No Trans Fats
3 pieces, 50 cals, 0 fat, 45mg sodium, 11g carbs, 2g fiber, 1g sugar, 1g protein
They are imported from Norway - no artificial additives or preservatives
ingredients: whole rye flour, water, sugar and salt

I had them with a little cheese and they were sooooo good. Almost sinful! Three pieces doesn't sound like a lot but they are the size of a graham cracker, just much thinner.

Piece of "Pie"

Every year at work for Thanksgiving we are given a pie. Not just any pie. My favorite pie. Pecan Pie from The Pie Factory. I looooove pecan pie. We always get it Wednesday the week before Turkey Day. Last year I was a real glutton and ate the entire pie before the turkey was thawed!

This year, I have a new perspective and goal. Lyn at Escape from Obesity has hit the nail on the head for me! I will listen to my stomach and stop when I am full. I plan to eat mindfully and check out what a portion size really is, not what I perceive it to be.

Thanks, Lyn, I needed your awesome advice to get ready for T-day!

ps - sorry that's not a pic of a pecan pie...all I could find!

It's "Know Your Numbers" Monday!

We had a free health screening at work today. I think it was to get our drug deductible waived. I never pass up an opportunity to get my finger pricked! LOL! Anyway, this is good timing since I'm planning on going "clean."

The cool thing was they gave us our results in like 7 minutes! Here are my numbers:
Waist circumference - no thank you!
Blood Pressure - 130/82 (not too bad)
Body Mass Index - 43.1 (ugh!)
Total Cholesterol - 158 (good, I guess)
HDL - good chol. - 34 (uh oh! this needs work)
Triglycerides - 182 (oh my gosh!)
LDL - bad chol. - 88 (finally, something okay)
Ratio TC to HDL - 4.6 (should be lower)
Blood Sugar - 119 (this is kinda scary)

Well, since it's early in the week I plan to use this info to kick myself in the butt and get going. It's now or never and I don't want to say never. That is not in my vocab!

Gotta go shopping for some fresh veggies, TODAY!!

Taking Steps

Today I ordered The Eat-Clean Diet by Tosca Reno. Katschi over at *Fitcetera* says eating clean has changed her life. If you read some of her recent posts, you can tell! You are an inspiration, Katschi! I can't wait to get my books.

After cleaning house today, I hauled a bunch of tree limbs to the curb. Tree waste pick-up is this week and a friend of mine was so nice to cut some branches off my roof for me. I wonder how many calories that burned? It was so cool today and sunny. A California day! (can you tell - I'm a Texan who is always California dreamin'.)

What a great day, filled with hope for the coming week!

New Blog Name

So, I decided to change the name of my blog. The "Thinner.Me" name made me feel too pressured to get "thin." Not that I would mind being thin, I just don't want that to be the only reason I lose weight. I've been thin and I know that the thin-ness is not what made me happy. It was the confidence I had in myself that allowed me to have fun! Being a confidant woman again is really my goal here.

With more confidence I hope to express myself again through my art, photography, and writing. I used to love to draw and paint and write. Some days I may write about my eating and some days I may write to be creative. And you never know, I just might share some of my drawings!

Anyway, if you've been reading my blog in the past, hang in there with me! I am usually quite private about my art and my feelings but lately I think it's time to open up. I've had my life on hold for fear of getting hurt (yes, the love of my life cut my heart out). But like I tell others, life goes on and mine needs to, too.

Have a blessed weekend everyone!