Offical Weigh In

Today was the last day of the 100 Day Heart Challenge. As a group we each took our turn on the scale, had our body fat measured and cholesterol screenings performed. My results weren't what I was looking for at the beginning of the challenge,but I am happy where I am. I am glad I was chosen to participate in this challenge. It has been educational and fun and I have met a lot of people who have become my friends who have cheered me on during a hard time in my life.
Thank You!

I got up this morning to run. Instead of running I jogged. I had little energy and had to keep telling myself to pick up the pace. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better and I can go to the gym in the morning. For a final workout.I know I am not the winner of the 100 Day Heart Challenge, but I am a winner. Just staying focused to participate in this program is hard. That's why so many of us are over weight and have high cholesterol. I am proud of myself and the fact that even though I was diagnosed with cancer, I still continued with the program. Exercising has become a daily routine for me and I am grateful to those who have helped me get this far. This is not the end, but rather the begging. I have loved getting to know my teammates and appreciate their love and support they have shown me, during this difficult time in my life!

Killer Sweet and Sour Chicken with Brown Rice AWESOME!

I made this really yummy Sweet and Sour Chicken that was low in sugar and low fat packed with veggis and brown rice it was delicious. Here is the recipe.


1/2 pound of boneless, skinless chopped chicken breast cooked.
2 cups of sliced carrots cooked.
1/4 cup pineapple tidbits
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup sliced onion
3/4 cup brown sugar
1t. vinegar
1 cup water
6t. ketchup
2t. light soy sauce
Place all ingredients in a large skillet and bring to a boil. Can be thickened with
1T. cornstarch. Serve over brown rice.

Serves six
*Note you can reduce or add more sugar for your preference.

I love being to recreate and eat food I love. It is nice to make yummy fresh food. If I went out to eat sweet and sour chicken at a restaurant. I know it would be over a 1000 calories. I feel good making fresh food with low calories.:) I am really glad we learned so much about food and the nutritional facts in our nutrition class.

I went to the gym today. I worked out pretty hard. I love seeing my muscles grow. It is very satisfying to see your body transform in just a few short months. Later I went to chemo. I feel pretty good and hope to run tomorrow morning and hopefully meet with Meg tomorrow night for my training. Meg told me she was very impressed and I was doing great and knew what I was doing and said she knows I will be able to continue to work hard. I appreciated he comment and you know she is right I have learned the tools I need to be successful at working out. Thanks MEG!

Going to the gym

I am getting ready to go to the gym. It possibly could be my last workout for this week. I have chemo today. I am hoping to hit the gym tomorrow before my body starts to deteriorate. The last time I had chemo I was able to go three times that week so we will see! I love going to the gym. I love the natural high I get from exercising and love being in a good mood! I love to run and love lifting weights. I especially like working my lower body! Baby's Got Back! LOL

My legs are getting so tone, I used to have a lot of cottage cheese looking fat. But my legs are beautiful now. My arms too! It's nice to feel good and look good! Wow I am going to be hot when my hair grows back and I am not bald anymore!!! LOL LOL

It's time to fly solo!

Yes, I am sad the 100 day heart challenge is almost over. But, I have learned how to care for my body and will continue to do so. This program is just like a child learning how to ride a bike with no training wheels with a parent. The parent holds on to the bike until the child is ready to manage the bike on his or her own. That is what we the 15 participants have been doing, we have been nurtured and holding on. We are now able to let go and do the work on our own. We have had many who have helped us get to this point. I would like to recognize Traci and all of our trainers and Jalaine. I think they worked as a team, came up with a game plan and scored big with each our success. I am ready to fly solo, I am not scared and I know I can do it on my own!

It's the Final Countdown!

It's hard to believe the challenge is almost over! It seems like last month we all met for breakfast for the first time! I have made so many friends and I know they will remain my friends. I am really proud of myself and the progress I have made during this short period of time. I look great...even with no hair! LOL My attitude is great, my clothes feel great and my butt looks great! So my husband says! I love getting compliments from people who have not seem me for awhile and I love wearing clothes I haven't worn in two years!!! I am grateful I can keep up my weight training and cardio with chemo. I feel great...better than I have in a long time, kind of ironic I have cancer...huh! Tuesday will be my last day with my trainer, Meg. I have chemo next week and won't be able to meet with her on Thursday. I loved having Meg as my trainer, she pushed me to work hard and give this challenge my best, she believed in me and she supports me. What a gal!

Second Round of Chemo and i ROCK!

My Race For The Cure Team

Can I just say I ROCK! I am amazing! I am wonderful! I am beautiful, even with a balding head! Saturday I ran the 5k It was amazing I ran the whole way! It was an amazing experience and I am grateful i had so many friends and family come out and show their love and support for me! Traci and her sons, Joanne and her husband were part of my team. I ran with Joanne we kicked butt!

Now that the challenge is almost over i reflect back to the beginning. WOW, the things i didn't know, but now know. I am grateful for the tools I learned and received during this challenge, nutrition class was wonderful and having a personal trainer by your side motivating you is unreal! I am so lucky to have learned these tools and have been able to apply them to my life and my battle with cancer. No, I am not where I wanted to be at the end of challenge, but I have the tools and can focus on being the healthiest me I can be! I can conquer all things and will! I will miss not going to nutrition class on Wednesday, but will keep on applying the skills I need to succeed!

I ROCK!!

Finding the Rainbow

Today was cool and rainy, but today was a wonderful day for me. I went to the gym this morning and lifted weights for about 45 mins. then I went to the park and walked/ran the practice 5K with Traci and Karen. I had fun. I was amazed at my determination. I tried a new recipe today. Zupa Tuscana, my favorite soup from Olive Garden. The traditional recipe is very high in calories. My version is just right. I used low fat canned milk instead of cream and used chicken sausage instead of pork, I also used homemade chicken broth, which has a lot less sodium than canned broth. It was yummy! I am glad i can eat what I want!

Left in the dog house

This week has been so hard on me. I feel left out disconnected from others. I have spent the majority of my week in bed. I missed the nutrition class on Wed. I really wanted to go. My body is strong, but chemo is stronger. I really hope I can hit the gym tomorrow! I need to get back into the grove of things. During chemo week food is gross. So I eat what sounds good. Mostly cereal, peanut butter sandwiches...just junk. The two weeks following chemo I eat very healthy and choose good foods. I need my body to be strong.

Chemo Day

Today was chemo. It takes about 5 1/2 hours for me to get my chemo. I went to the gym this worked on cardio and lifted weights. I'm hoping I will feel well enough tomorrow to hit the gym with MEG my trainer. We will see. I joined a few and ran with Traci this weekend I enjoy running, especially outside. Rain, snow or sun I love to run! Funny though at the gym I choose other forms of cardio. I am on steroids again for the next two days. they make me crave so many foods, I was hoping to have a better week on the scales. We will see! I am really enjoying getting to know so many in the challenge. Everyone of the girls has great qualities and offer others experience of some sort. I hope we can stay in touch and meet on Saturdays and run in the park like we are now.

Race For The Cure

I have decided to run in the Race For Cure on May 9th. I have invited friends and family to join me in my pursuit. I am excited for the race and I am grateful for that desire . My life lately just seems to drain my energy.

I ran this morning for 45 mins outside. It was a beautiful morning. I also, went to the gym and completed 35 more mins of cardio and weight trained for 45 mins. It felt good I felt normal and at ease and very comfortable. I am thankful for my strength and hope it continues!

I am also thankful for the friendships I am making from within the 100 day heart challenge and am overwhelmed at the love and support I receive from within!

Not the BIGGEST LOOSER

Well I will let my secret out. I am gaining weight! I am so besides myself. Three weeks ago I had lost almost 14 lbs. during this program. My oncologist now has me on steroids and I am always hungry. I am going to hit the gym hard this week to try to get my momentum back! It is hard knowing you are trying and something is holding you back. I see the big picture and know as long as I maintain healthy eating habits and maintain exercise everything will work out. On Saturday a few of us met with Traci and ran/walked out the mapped out the 5K race that we will all run next month. It felt good to see and talk ans exercise with some of the others in the group.

I mentioned before in a previous blog that my husband has high cholesterol and is struggling with a manageable meal and an exercise plan. Mark, my husband is doing really well choosing healthy foods. Since I have been under the weather he has been doing all of the shopping and meal planning and preparing. I noticed the last few times there were no potato chips, hot dogs, soda, donuts or other of his favorites in the grocery bags he toted home. He even asked to read some of my nutrition facts sheets from my nutrition class. I am glad I am learning how to better care for my body and the ones I love!

On another note, I met with my weight trainer, Meg at the gym last night. My first session in two weeks. I was amazed at how strong my body was. After my session i biked for 20 mins. Total cardio yesterday 80 mins. Today I ran outside for an hour I love running when it rains. I hope my good strong days keep on coming!

What a BEAUTIFUL DAY!

It was a beautiful day I couldn't have asked for a nicer Easter Sunday. This past week i have felt terrible from having chemotherapy, but today I woke up rested, refreshed and felt like myself. I decided to walk to church today and I am glad I did. I have not exercised the past three days, in fact I thought exercise was going to be something of the past. but today walking I realized I was strong and could do anything I desired. Just like everyone else I will have bad days and good days. I will just have to make the best of my good days. My eating habits and patterns have changed. Things I ate just last week now taste like chemicals. I asked our nutrition teacher if I should change anything she said to try and keep going but said if I needed to eat more or less it was okay and we could adjust my calorie intake. So far I have been doing well. I can't stand the taste of fish anymore so I am eating an open face PB&J sandwich everyday to get the extra protein. Dairy products seem to taste just fine. I love yogurt! Anyway I am just going to keep on working on making my body the strongest it can possible be!.

I am really proud of myself. I have worked out three times this week! It takes all of my energy to get up and get going, but when i finally am exercising i feel good. It's hard to explain the difference in my body over the last few weeks. I am like a baby I eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, eat , sleep go too the bathroom. Having CANCER, is all so surreal still. I took the time to read all of the blogs from my teammates. I have to tell you they all inspired me. I am glad I have been able to get to know each one of them and understand their struggles. I am also grateful for this opportunity to share my struggles.

Graditude

Today was our nutrition class. After class was over a card from everyone working with the program was given to me with a monetary donation inside. Words can not express the gratitude I feel from this group of women. I feel very loved! I want each one of them to know that they are wonderful women with big hearts and we are all lucky to get the chances to befirend eachother.

I started my chemo yesterday and I now have very little energy. I went to the gym for my workout session tonight. It was really difficult to get through, but I managed. I am going to try really hard to keep all my gym appointments and daily exercise. I know my body will benefit from it and needs it!

I am on steroids and food is always on my mind. I have decided that I would also try really hard to stay on track and eat healthy. Staying healthy is my main focus and I plan on keeping it my main focus!

Aloha

Alhoa!

I am in beautiful Kauai! I have cancer and decided to get a way for a while with my husband before my hell starts. I have been running in the mornings for 70 minutes on the beach and it is a workout! I also have done quite a bit of hiking and swimming. Today we went snorkeling I saw so many beautiful fish. Yesterday while swimming in the ocean a sea turtle came up to us and let us touch him. It was amazing. Kauai is so theraputic they call it the garden island and is known for healing. being here has helped me so much!

While here I have tried really hard to stay positive and stay on track for the 100 day heart challenge. I plan to head to the gym Sat after we arrive home and Sunday as well. I will try to get as much time in the gym in between treatments.Yes, I have cancer and it is even worse than I thought. It is in my bones. On Monday I have a minor surgery to insert something for my Chemo. Then on Wed I start Chemo. I will have 6 treatments of chemo and then have surgery and possibly more chemo then radiation. But I will get through this and be a stronger person. I am so thankful I was picked to participate in this challenge and was able to get my body into better shape before I start my cancer treatments. I know more than ever now how important it is to stay healthy and active!

Cancer what a weird word!

So I have CANCER. What a weird word. My doctor called me today and gave me the news. I was shocked! I thought for sure it would turn out to be nothing. The lump in my breast is the size of a tangerine. I feel totally fine and can't believe my body is sick. My doctor said the cancer is in my lymph node in my arm pit and is growing rapidly. My doctor is awesome. He called all the doctors I need to see and set everything up for me. My first appointment is set for tomorrow @8:30. I am trying to think positive and look for the good in this. I told my husband today that we are going to Hawaii this weekend and spending the week together alone on the beach.
So if you don't see me next week that is where I am!

I went to the gym today and worked on cardio for an hour. My session with Meg is tonight. I plan on continuing this program and succeeding and most of all, I plan to WIN! So watch out girls, because I am more determined than ever to be the healthiest I can be!

It Hurt

So, I went to the hospital for my ultrasound today. After the ultrasound the Doctor decided I needed a mammogram. After that he decided I needed to have a biopsy. He took about eight different samples. Then I was off to get a second mammogram. Most of the procedure was not bad. The doctor and technicians were great. About 15 mins after the biopsy my breast was on fire and felt like someone was jabbing a knife into me. The second mammogram was extremely painful! After 2 1/2 hours of procedures and running around in a hospital gown. They sat me down in a recliner chair and asked me if I wanted a beverage. Weird! I called my doctors office and asked them for some pain med. My doc is great and I now feel much more comfortable. I get my results on Thursday. More time to stress out over. I am proud of myself. I was suppose to meet my trainer, meg at the gym tonight, but I went early this morning and worked out and lifted my weights. I am hopeful and not going to stress out so much, I hope.

Stressed Out!

I have been so stressed today. I have a lump in my breast and went to the doctor today. My lump has grown very fast and is very big. I am having an ultra sound done on Monday. I will probably be just fine, it's just having to wait until Monday to see what it is. Just like many women do when they are stressed, I started for the food. I ate a FiberOne bar and started to open another. I told myself I was in control and eating another bar would not help anything. I decided to go to the gym. I was there for almost two hours. It felt great. While I was there I forgot about my lump and enjoyed myself. Tomorrow I will keep my mind and body busy. I am cleaning carpets early and then plan to spend the day outside with my family. Maybe a hike to Stewart Falls. I am glad I was able to identify my almost going off the ban wagon and was able to take control of my emotions and body.

I think I over did it at the gym last night

I went to the gym last night and biked for 30 minutes, them I weight trained for 25 mins, then I did the cross trainer for another 15mins. Did I mention that I ran for an hour earlier in the day! I went to bed last night and did not get up for my morning run. So I will have to make it up tomorrow and Sat at the gym. My muscles are sore I tried to drink extra water today and ate plenty of protein. I stretched my body for a good 30 mins. today. I am all rested and ready to hit the gym in the morning!

Nutrition Class

Jalaine our life changing teacher
speaking to the class about the different
types of eaters.



Today was our weekly nutrition class. As usual the class was very fun and I learned new things. Our teacher Jalaine is awesome, she makes the class fun. The hour slips by so fast. Today we talked about the different kind of eaters. I am the Careful Eater. Let me rephrase that. I was the Careful Eater. I am now trying new foods and allowing myself to eat what I want not necessarily what I need. I also learned today that it is not nice to tell people what they should or should not eat. I am guilty of this and sometimes do this with my husband. :( I am going to try really hard not to. Last night for St. Patrick's Day I made a very delicious key lime pie. I changed the recipe a little and it turned out really yummy! I love the way I am starting to look at food differently. I am in control, ME, not my food or my head! Here is my Key Lime Pie recipe if anyone is interested.




Key Lime Pie

8 whole graham crackers crushed
5 limes or 10 key limes
1 small tub of light whipped topping, thawed
3/4 of a can of fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. grated lime zest

Place graham crackers on the bottom of a pie tin and bake it for 6-9 mins.
Remove from oven and let crumbs cool completely. In a large bowl combine whipped topping and milk, squeeze limes well and grate zest. Mix together and place it in the pie tin over the graham cracker crumbs. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Makes 9 servings.

I am beautiful!

This morning I went for a run outside. It was beautiful! The sun was not up yet and the moon was shinning and the mountains were gorgeous! As I was running, I thought about the people in my life and how they are beautiful to me. Then I paused, and tried to compare myself to something beautiful. Several thoughts came to me. I realized I am beautiful, inside and out. I am thankful for my body and the ability to make it move.

After my run and my older kids went off to school, I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed significant changes in my body. So I decided to do what all who are trying to loose weight do. Try on old clothes to see if they fit. Well, 95% of them did. I am so happy! I have not worn some of these clothes for over three years. I especially glad to wear my jeans. I love jeans. I feel good in them and they look good on me.

Celebrate

This is a picture of my AWESOME weight trainer MEG!



I am so happy! I am under a 150lbs. It is not my weight goal, but it is great progress. It is amazing how great I am starting to look and feel. Meg I could not have done this without you. Thank you so much for all your encouragement and ideas!

My clothes are really loose, I am hoping they will fall of my body by the end of May. It would be nice to go shopping for some new summer clothes.

I have also noticed the progress of my fellow team mates at the gym. I say to them WAY TO GO! The weather has been so nice the past few days. I have found myself wanting to be more active outside with my almost two year old twins. I hope the weather stays nice for awhile.

I had a bit of a sweet tooth this past weekend so I bought a box of Chocolate Oat Fiber One Bars. They were so yummy, even my kids liked them. I also bought a box of Curves Honey Nut Crunch cereal, very high in fiber and is very delicious! I plan to eat a bowl for snack tomorrow.

Today is St. Patrick's Day, I plan on serving my kids green food for breakfast, like green colored milk, green waffles and kiwi fruit. I normally don't use a lot of food coloring, but I think the kids will really enjoy it!

Starting To See Results

I have started to notice the most amazing thing. My clothes, especially my pants are very lose around, the waist, rear and legs. I can actually see my muscles definition in my body. I too, have finished reading the Intuitive Eating book for our nutrition class. It was great, such an eye opener. For anyone who wants to know I am the careful eater. Our class is very informative and our teacher makes things fun! I am looking forward to the chef coming to our class and showing us some of his favorites. I am really enjoying the gym. I started out spending a little over an hour there and now today I was there for two hours. I especially like lifting weights. I like the way my muscles feel the next day. Like I have posted before, I am still grinding and hiding vegetables in my families dinner's. They tease me but, have commented on how vegetables make the dishes they eat taste better. I also have expressed to my kids the need for exercise. We have agreed as a family that as long as it is nice we would ride our bikes, roller blade, or walk to the park. I'm glad my family is so willing to learn and change unhealthy habits.

Thankful

I really feel blessed to be in this program and to learn how to care for our bodies. My husband recently had to have a health screening for our insurance. He received his results and we both were shocked to see how bad of shape and off the charts that he was. I really think he is scared about how unhealthy he is. I told him he needed to make a doctors appointment and cut out all the unhealthy, oily, fatty, heart clogging, processed foods. He agreed and is willing to start an exercise routine. I am determined to learn from this program and pass on my knowledge to others. Again, I am thankful for this program and the tools I am learning. Now about me.

This weekend was Awesome as far as eating goes. I can honestly say I have stuck to eating the food groups and calories required of me each day since the program has began! I am enjoying my same favorite foods. I have made a few modifications and reduced, reduced and reduced my portion sizes. LOL! I have also tried new dishes, including fish, thanks to my wonderful trainer, Meg! I have some much more energy and desire for my body to be healthy and fit. I really like keeping track of what I am consuming. It is so gratifying at the end of the day to see my progress. I am also, tracking my hours spent exercising.

This week I am going to concentrate on making my gym sessions more effective and work my booty off! Get ready Meg!

Off To A Belated Start!

I am off to a late start, our computer was being repaired. So let's catch up! Because this is a competition so I will not be giving any exact details or secrets away! I will tell you that I love the GYM! I am so grateful for my trainer, Meg. She is awesome she pushes me to my fullest potential.

The nutrition class we have been attending every Wednesday, is very educational. I always thought I was a healthy eater, boy was I wrong. Currently, I am only to consume 1350 calories a day! I thought it would be hard but, I was wrong. My family, husband and four kids have really been supportive and I am grateful for that.

After, attending the first nutrition class, I thought to myself, I want this for myself, but I want even more for my family and allow them to be healthy and develop good eating and exercise habits. I explained to my family that I was not doing a good job at meal planning and for them to expect changes at the dinner table. I decided we could eat the same foods, I just need to make a few changes to them. Example, I made spaghetti , I switched to whole wheat noodles and blended two cups of carrots and a cup of cauliflower into the sauce and used very lean griound beef. Another one of their favorites are pumpkin muffins. I added a cup of finley ground 9-grain cereal and used whole wheat flour, subsituted applesauce for the oil. They didn't even know the difference. I am really thankful for this opportunity to take part of this program and gain the knowledge of enjoying better health.